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.”
[26:39]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.”
[54:47]Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
[53:41]Observation questions
- In Luke 15:25–32, how do the father and the older brother respond differently to the younger son’s return? What reasons does each give for his response? [34:51]
- In Luke 15:29–30, what does the older brother emphasize about his own behavior, and how does he describe his younger brother? [44:24]
- What does the father do when the older son refuses to enter the celebration? How does he respond to the older son’s complaints? [48:42]
- In Ephesians 2:8–10, what is the source of salvation, and what place do good works have in a believer’s life? [55:09]
Interpretation questions
- How does the older brother’s anger reflect the attitude of the Pharisees who complained that Jesus welcomed sinners? What does each response reveal about their view of grace? [31:27]
- Why is the older brother’s view of his service a problem, even though faithful service itself is good? How might that attitude turn obedience into resentment? [44:34]
- How does the father’s decision to go outside and plead with his son show grace without treating the son’s behavior as acceptable? What might this mean for a church welcoming people who need forgiveness? [48:55]
- Why does the unfinished ending matter? What decision does it leave before someone who has been around the things of God but has become resentful toward others? [59:26]
Application questions
- When have your preferences about church life made it harder for you to celebrate what God was doing in someone else’s life? What might help you put the Father’s joy ahead of that preference? [35:30]
- Think of someone who has returned to church after a long absence or who might feel out of place there. What could you say or do to offer a genuine welcome without drawing attention to their past? [41:08]
- When you serve without being thanked, or someone else receives recognition, what happens in your heart? How could remembering that you belong to God by grace change your response? [55:46]
- Being involved in church does not always mean being close to God in heart. How would you describe the difference in your own life, and is there an area where you sense a need to return to him? [46:03]
- As you consider Psalm 139:23–24, what attitude or habit might God be bringing to your attention? What would one honest step of repentance look like this week? Share only what you feel comfortable sharing. [53:28]
- Is there someone whose forgiveness, restoration, or blessing is difficult for you to celebrate? What might it look like to stop keeping score and take one sincere step toward rejoicing with them? [38:02]
