Bible ReadingLuke 15:11-32 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
[00:16]Romans 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
[22:18]Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
[27:02]Observation questions- In Luke 15, what does the younger son plan to say when he returns, and how does the father respond before the son can finish his plan? [03:53]
- What details in the story show that the older son is physically close to the house but emotionally far from the father’s joy? [06:54]
- What words does the older son use to describe his years with the father, and what words does the father use to answer him? [21:20]
- According to Ephesians 2:8-10, what comes from grace as God’s gift, and what good purpose follows afterward for those who are in Christ?
Interpretation questions- Jesus tells a story about two sons, not just one. What does that suggest about the different ways a person can be lost—through open rebellion or through outward obedience without trust? [02:11]
- The younger son asks to be treated like a servant, but the father restores him as a son. What does that reveal about the difference between repentance and trying to pay God back? [05:50]
- The older son’s obedience sounds faithful on the surface, yet he speaks like someone keeping score. How can good religious activity slowly turn into a transaction with God? [10:19]
- Romans 8:15 speaks of adoption instead of slavery. How does that truth help explain the father’s words, “Son, you are always with me”? [22:18]
Application questions- Where does the question “Have I done enough?” tend to show up most in real life right now—in prayer, serving, giving, resisting temptation, or something else? What usually happens in the heart when that question takes over? [01:21]
- Shame often pushes people to negotiate with God instead of simply returning to him. When failure happens, is there a tendency to hide, to overperform, or to try to prove usefulness again? What might it look like to come back as a child rather than as an employee? [04:23]
- Resentment can reveal that obedience has been tied to reward. When hard work goes unnoticed or when God seems to bless someone else, what reactions tend to rise up first—discouragement, jealousy, anger, self-pity? [09:38]
- Performance can make brothers and sisters feel like rivals. Is there anyone whose story has been hard to celebrate without comparing it to personal struggles, sacrifices, or disappointments? What would it look like to call that person “my brother” or “my sister” again in the heart? [17:50]
- A person can be busy in the father’s field and still stand outside the joy of the house. What are some signs that service has become heavy, tense, or scorekeeping rather than thankful and free? [19:03]
- Identity comes before obedience. What would need to change this week if each day began from the settled truth, “I am a child of God,” instead of from the pressure to prove worth? [23:31]
- Obedience is the fruit of salvation, not its price. What is one concrete area where it would help to stop using obedience to purchase love and start serving from acceptance instead? [32:32]
