Bible Reading
Luke 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.”
[17:27]Romans 2:4 “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
[44:32]Romans 5:6-8 “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
[44:32]Observation questions
- In Luke 15:12–16, how does the younger son’s situation change from leaving home with an inheritance to working in the fields? Which details show how dependent he has become? [36:42]
- In Luke 15:17–19, what does the younger son remember about his father’s household, and what responsibility does he accept for his own actions? [42:18]
- What similarities and differences appear between the younger son’s distance from his father and the older son’s attitude in Luke 15:25–32? [41:19]
- In Romans 2:4 and Romans 5:6–8, what does God do for people before they have put their lives right? [45:15]
Interpretation questions
- How does the younger son’s dependence on a citizen of the far country expose the limits of the freedom he sought? What makes this different from his dependence on his father? [36:42]
- The father allows his younger son to leave rather than forcing him to stay. What does this suggest about the limits of a loving parent’s control? How is releasing control different from withdrawing love? [29:51]
- Why does genuine repentance include admitting an offense against God as well as the harm done to family? How does the younger son’s planned confession differ from simply regretting his circumstances? [42:54]
- How does Christ’s death for sinners challenge the belief that a wandering family member must become worthy before receiving love? How can that truth give a hurting family hope without excusing destructive choices? [45:46]
Application questions
- Is there a family situation you are struggling to understand? As you feel comfortable sharing, what would trusting God look like this week even if an explanation never comes? [24:27]
- When someone you love makes destructive choices, how do you tend to respond—by trying to fix everything, pulling away, or something else? What might it look like to release control while still offering wise, loving support? [44:50]
- Has something that promised you freedom begun to control your time, money, or decisions? What is one step you could take toward returning that part of your life to God? [36:42]
- It is possible to remain close to family or church while being distant in heart. Where might resentment, pride, or self-interest be growing in you, and what would an honest return to God look like? [41:19]
- Is there a wrong you need to own without shifting blame? What could a sincere confession to God and, where appropriate, to the person you hurt sound like? [42:54]
- When have you experienced God’s patience and goodness drawing you toward repentance? How might remembering that grace shape the way you pray for and speak to a struggling family member this week? [45:15]
- What family burden have you been carrying alone? What support would you welcome from this group, and how could we encourage you without trying to take control of the situation? [49:32]
