LUKE 15:11-32

Your Place in God's Family

SOME STUDIES CLAIM THAT YOUR POSITION IN THE FAMILY WILL AFFECT YOUR PERSONALITY. The firstborn child tends to be dutiful and disciplined. The middle child tends to focus on pleasing others and keeping the peace. The youngest child tends to be more carefree and even irresponsible.

What is your place in your family? How do you think that has affected you?

Getting Oriented

This story is probably the most famous that Jesus ever told. It is one of three stories Jesus told to answer those who criticized him because he associated with people considered to be sinners and irreligious. Each story describes something that was lost and the joy that resulted when it was found. These stories are called parables: stories of earthly life that teach spiritual truths by analogy.

Read Luke 15:11-32.

Key Words

Exploring the Passage

1a. What are your impressions of the younger son as this story begins?

1b. What do you think are some of the reasons for his actions?

2. What qualities do you see in the father as he grants the son's request?

3. Are the father's actions what you would expect? Why or why not?

4. At what point does the son begin to change and why?

5a. Contrast the son when he left with the son when he came home. How has his attitude about himself changed?

5b. his attitude about his father?

5c. his attitude about his own life?

6. What do you learn about the father from his response to the son's homecoming?

7. Describe the picture you are given of the older brother. How do you explain his reaction?

8. How would you describe the older brother's attitude toward himself, his father and his brother?

9. What do you learn about the father from the way he responds to the older son?

Charting Our Course

We are all somewhat like one of these two brothers. Both were seeking fulfillment--one by declaring his independence, and the other by trying to meet the expectations of his father. Which of these two are you more like?

Both brothers failed to find satisfaction. One eventually came to his senses and returned home. The other never left home, yet he did not have the experience of the father's love. What barriers keep you from experiencing God's unconditional love?

Leader's Notes

Purpose: To understand God's attitude toward us when we do wrong: he longs to forgive us and to have an honest and loving relationship with us.

General Note. In discussing the concept of sin, it is often helpful to describe it in terms of selfishness and self-centeredness. Many people who don't consider themselves sinful will admit to being selfish. Whether we are more of a rebel or a self-righteous person, we all need the love and forgiveness of our heavenly Father to make things right in our lives.

STRONG>Getting Oriented. An alternate opening question could be, "Which phrase best describes you: 'I do my own thing' or 'I do what I'm told'?" (An explanation of these phrases may be necessary.)

Question 1. The son does not seem at all interested in his relationship with his father. He wants his share of the estate, and even asks for it before his father's death (the normal time for receiving it).

Question 2. The father is not weak or foolish, but loving, wise and practical. He knows that any son who would make such a bold request does not understand the deep love of the father for him.

Question 4. The key moment comes when he longs to eat the pigs' food (v. 17). Note the phrase, "He came to his senses."

Question 5. Consider not only changed circumstances, but also changed attitudes. He left cocky, self-assured and indifferent to his father's love. He returned humbled, grateful and willing to work as a hired man.

Question 6. The father recognized that for the son to come home was in itslef an admission of failure, guilt, remorse and need. He did not belittle his son's past foolish behavior and failure but sought instead to demonstrate his deep love.

Questions 7-8. Some may see the older brother as "the good son" and may find the father's actions puzzling. Try to help them see that the older brother was not motivated by love and did not understand or care about the father's love. His pettiness and bitterness reveal what motivated his behavior. Both brothers at first throught only of themselves and their own needs and advantage. Only the younger brother changed.

Question 9. Notice the father's gentle reminder of the truth (v. 31) and his attempt to help the older brother think of more than his own needs. The father was just as patient and forgiving with the older son's act of rebellion and selfishness as he had been with that of the younger son at the start of the parable.

Charting Our Course These two brothers typify all of us. Remind the group of their answers to the opening question as a demonstration of that fact. If people are uncomfortable discussing this aloud, just let them think about it. Pray for good one-on-one conversations afterward.