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.”
[05:05]Psalm 103:12 “as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
[28:55]Luke 15:1-10 “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
[06:51]Observation questions
- In Luke 15:1–10, what two groups are present around Jesus, and what complaint do the religious leaders make about him? [06:51]
- What actions do the shepherd and the woman take to find what was lost, and what do they do after it is found? [07:50]
- In the story of the two sons, what does the younger son plan to say and do when he returns home, and how does the father respond before that plan is completed? [22:18]
- What does the older son say about his years of service, and what does that reveal about how he thinks the father should treat him? [32:34]
Interpretation questions
- Why does Jesus begin Luke 15 with the lost sheep and lost coin before telling the story of the father and his two sons? What do those first stories show about God’s heart toward lost people? [23:46]
- The younger son seeks life away from the father, while the older son seeks reward from the father. Why are both approaches forms of lostness, even though their behavior looks very different? [32:55]
- The father gives the returning younger son a robe, ring, shoes, and a feast rather than a chance to work off his debt. What do these actions communicate about belonging, forgiveness, and God’s grace? [27:26]
- The story ends without showing whether either son fully receives the father’s love. Why might Jesus leave the ending open, especially for people who identify more with the older brother? [34:38]
Application questions
- Where is there a temptation to waste the life God has given—not necessarily through obvious reckless choices, but through comfort, distraction, achievement, or living mainly for possessions and experiences? What is one kingdom-purpose step that could help redirect that area? [20:27]
- When failure, sin, or shame comes to mind, is there a tendency to create a “payment plan” with God—trying to do enough good things to earn a way back? What would it look like to come honestly to the Father and receive his grace instead? [30:20]
- Where does the older brother’s voice show up: keeping score, comparing with others, feeling overlooked, or believing God owes something because of faithfulness? How might remembering “you are always with me” change that response? [33:43]
- Is there someone whose return to God, healing, success, or second chance has been difficult to celebrate? What might make it hard to join the Father’s joy for that person?
- God’s love does not need to be earned, regained, or maintained through performance. Which part of that truth is hardest to believe right now, and what past experience or fear may be making it hard to receive? [34:52]
- The Father pursues lost children and welcomes them home with compassion. Who in the group’s life may need a tangible reminder that they are not beyond God’s reach, and what could loving pursuit look like this week without trying to control them? [24:21]
