Bible Reading
Luke 15:11-24 “To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story. A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later, the younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him, but no one gave him anything. When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.”
[08:11]Job 13:15 “God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.”
[15:46]Job 1:1-22 “There was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice. One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, and your donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans raided them. They carried away all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s house. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.”
[13:28]Observation questions
- In Luke 15:11–24, what choices lead the younger son from receiving his inheritance to feeding pigs and longing for their food?
- What does the younger son realize when he “comes to his senses,” and what does he decide to do next? [12:25]
- What actions does the father take when he sees his son returning, and what do those actions show about his response to the son?
- In Job 1:1–22, what losses does Job experience, and how does he respond to God in the middle of those losses? [13:28]
Interpretation questions
- The younger son’s new beginning starts before he receives a robe, ring, meal, or restored position. What does this show about repentance and what it means to turn back to God? [13:03]
- Job suffers even though he is described as righteous. How does Job’s story challenge the idea that every painful circumstance is the direct result of someone’s personal failure or sin? [14:21]
- Job 13:15 expresses hope in God without certainty about the outcome. What kind of faith is shown when a person does not understand God’s plan but still refuses to let go of God? [15:36]
- How is surrender to God different from giving up, especially when a person has truly reached the limit of what they can control? [18:44]
Application questions
- Is there an area of life where you have been trying harder, making more plans, or searching for the perfect solution, but you are still unable to fix the situation? What might it look like to honestly place that situation in God’s hands? [18:24]
- The younger son had to come to his senses and turn toward his father. Is there a specific attitude, habit, relationship, or choice from which God may be inviting you to turn? What would one honest next step toward the Father look like this week? [19:34]
- When circumstances do not change quickly, what usually makes it hardest for you to rest in God: fear, disappointment, the need for control, unanswered questions, or something else? How can the group support you in that place? [07:11]
- Have you ever assumed that a difficult season must mean you did something wrong? How does Job’s story give room for grief and questions without assuming that suffering is always deserved? [14:45]
- What is one circumstance that can feel like “the end of the world” right now—such as work, health, finances, delayed plans, or a family concern? What perspective might help you remember that this hardship is real but is not the final word over your life? [24:38]
- Where are you most tempted to find your identity—in your work, finances, health, relationships, success, or plans? What does it look like in daily life to remember that your deepest identity is found in Christ? [26:07]
