Bible Reading
Luke 15:11-3211. “And he said, ‘There was a man who had two sons.’”
[42:25]12. “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.”
[42:25]13. “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.”
[42:40]14. “And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.”
[42:47]15. “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.”
[42:56]16. “And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.”
[43:06]17. “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!’”
[52:13]18. “‘I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”’”
[52:37]19. “‘I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’”
[52:46]20. “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.”
[52:56]21. “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.’”
[58:24]22. “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.’”
[58:34]23. “‘And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.’”
[58:46]24. “‘For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
[58:52]25. “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.”
[59:10]26. “And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.”
[59:17]27. “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.’”
[59:23]28. “But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him.”
[01:06:44]29. “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.’”
[01:07:03]30. “‘But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’”
[01:07:23]31. “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.’”
[01:07:32]32. “‘It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
[01:07:41]Ephesians 2:8-9“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.”
[55:57]Matthew 22:37-39“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
[48:30]Colossians 3:13“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
[01:05:13]Observation questions
- What details show how far the younger son has fallen after leaving his father, and what does the phrase “no one gave him anything” add to the picture? [42:47]
- What does the younger son plan to say when he returns, and how does his plan show that he expects to become a worker rather than be restored as a son? [52:37]
- What actions does the father take before the younger son can complete his speech, and what gifts does he give him afterward? [52:56]
- What exact words and attitudes reveal the older brother’s anger toward both his father and his brother? [01:07:03]
Interpretation questions
- The younger son wanted his father’s possessions without wanting his father himself. How does that desire picture the way pride tries to take control of life apart from God? [40:46]
- Why is the father’s welcome more than simple forgiveness? What do the robe, ring, sandals, and feast communicate about the son’s place in the family? [58:34]
- Ephesians 2:8-9 says salvation is God’s gift and not the result of works. Why can the desire to “pay God back” keep a person from resting in grace? [56:19]
- The two brothers run from the father in different ways: one through open rebellion and one through proud performance. Why can outward obedience become a way of trying to control God? [01:08:05]
Application questions
- Where might shame be telling you that you have wandered too far, failed too much, or need to get yourself together before turning to God? What would it look like to take one honest step toward the Father this week? [01:00:32]
- In what area is life becoming mostly about personal comfort, control, success, or pleasure? How could loving God and serving another person loosen the grip of self-focus in that area? [48:25]
- Do you tend to relate to God more like the younger brother, seeking freedom on your own terms, or like the older brother, keeping score and expecting God to reward your effort? What might humility look like in that pattern? [01:09:14]
- Is there a place where you are trying to earn God’s acceptance through better behavior, religious activity, or a private “payment plan”? How does receiving grace as a gift change the way you approach God? [55:57]
- Is there a person whose wrong against you is difficult to release? Without minimizing what happened or ignoring wise boundaries, what would it mean to stop demanding that person repay the debt they owe you? [01:05:24]
- God’s grace restores lost people to His family and creates a celebration. How could you help make this group, church, home, or friendship a place where repentant people are welcomed rather than permanently defined by their past? [01:01:10]
