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, so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed for him the fattened calf!' 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.”
[27:31]Observation questions
- What happens between the father seeing the younger son in the distance and the celebration beginning? How does this compare with the welcome the son had planned to ask for? [28:49]
- What does the older son’s complaint reveal about how he views his years at home and his brother’s return? [36:28]
- How does each son describe his own place in the household, and how does the father treat them differently from those descriptions? [38:10]
- What does the father do when the older son refuses to enter the celebration? What part of the older son’s story remains unresolved? [42:36]
Interpretation questions
- The father embraces the younger son before hearing his confession. What does this suggest about God’s welcome, and how might that welcome help someone become honest about wrongdoing? [40:34]
- How can someone remain faithful in outward duties yet become distant from God in heart? What signs of that distance appear in the older son’s response? [36:07]
- Both sons see themselves as workers rather than beloved children. How might shame lead someone toward one view and resentment toward the other? How does the father’s response challenge both? [38:10]
- Why does the father remind the older son of his relationship to his brother? What does this reveal about the connection between receiving God’s love and welcoming other people? [41:43]
Application questions
- Which son’s struggle feels more familiar to you right now: wondering whether you can return, or staying close while feeling hurt and distant? What makes you identify with him? [42:48]
- Is there a regret or unfinished part of your life that makes you hesitate to approach God? What might it look like to bring that honestly to him rather than waiting until you have everything sorted out? Share only what you feel comfortable sharing. [40:54]
- When have you felt unnoticed despite faithfully showing up or serving? How has that hurt affected your relationship with God or your ability to celebrate someone else’s joy? [37:05]
- What decision or concern are you carrying mostly on your own right now? What would sharing that part of your life with God look like this week? [36:07]
- Without naming anyone, is there someone you tend to keep at a distance because they are new, different, or difficult for you to welcome? What is one thoughtful step you could take this week to treat them as family in Christ? [44:13]
- What has been keeping your heart from feeling at home with God—guilt, hurt, anger, resentment, or something else? What would you like to tell him honestly, and how could this group support you? [43:51]
