The Parables of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke (7)

The Parables of Jesus
in the Gospel of Luke (7)
Luke 15:11-25

Discuss:

Recall a time when you did something that you thought you would get in big trouble for from school, work, friends, family, etc. You went to apologize and sought forgiveness, but everything ended up being okay. Share your experience and how you felt in the moment as you were going through it.

Discover:

Focus: This is a parable about a father receiving his son, a son who had left his father but who ultimately returns to his father and experiences the love of the Father. The father in this parable represents God our Father, and the son represents each of us, the sinners who have turned to the Lord and experienced His love and forgiveness. Many people refer to this parable as the parable of the “prodigal son.” The word prodigal means wastefully or recklessly extravagant.

I. Read Luke 15:11-25. Retell the story in your own words without looking at the verses.

II. Read the passage again, but this time skip vv. 14-19. Retell the story from the point of view of the father. 

A. What difference does it make to consider this different viewpoint? Does it change your own perspective to consider the father’s feelings and not only the son’s?

B. Consider the significance of the steps that the father took to welcome his son home (vv. 22-23)?
1. Best robe—Isa. 61:10
2. Ring—Eph. 1:13
3. Sandals—John 13:5
4. Fattened calf—Isa. 53:7

C. Read the following excerpt.

III. Memorize and pray over Luke 15:20, then recite it to one another.
And he rose up and came to his own father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and he ran and fell on his neck and kissed him affectionately.

Apply:

A. Share with one another something you appreciated about the Father’s love for us that you saw from this parable.

B. Share your personal testimony of coming back to the Father’s house either when you were first saved or after being far away from God.

C. Share about someone in your heart that you would like to return to the Father’s house. Pray for one another.