"With what relief does he hear in the distance its first faint cry! Following the sound, he climbs the steepest heights; he goes to the very edge of the precipice, at the risk of his own life. Thus he searches, while the cry, growing fainter, tells him that his sheep is ready to die. GW 182.1"
"What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?"
EGW's description of the shepherd's relentless search for the lost sheep directly alludes to the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:4. The details of the search are echoed in both passages.
"And when the straying one is found, does he command it to follow him? Does he threaten or beat it, or drive it before him, thinking of the discomfort and anxiety that he has suffered on its account? No; he lays the exhausted sheep on his shoulder, and with cheerful gratitude that his search has not been in vain, he returns to the fold. His gratitude finds expression in songs of rejoicing. And “when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” GW 182.2 So when the lost sinner is found by the Good Shepherd, heaven and earth unite in rejoicing and thanksgiving. For “joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” [ Luke 5:6, 7 .] GW 182.3"
"And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing."
EGW directly quotes and expands upon Luke 15:5, elaborating on the shepherd's joy and the rejoicing in heaven over the found sheep. The connection is undeniable and explicitly stated.
"patience and perseverance. It called him to minister to the children and youth, and to those young in the faith, to teach the ignorant, to open the Scriptures to them, and to educate them for usefulness in Christ's service. Heretofore Peter had not been fitted to do this, or even to understand its importance. GW 182.4"
"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
Both passages emphasize teaching and training others to teach. The EGW passage speaks of educating for usefulness in Christ's service, while 2 Timothy 2:2 speaks of committing teachings to faithful men who can teach others. The connection is thematic and relevant.