“He also said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
“Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

“Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’

“‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” – Luke 15:11-32 CSB

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Examine the Text:
1. Read through the passage in two different translations.
2. As you heard the Scripture, what stood out to you?
3. Are there any questions that you have about the text?
4. Are there other portions of Scripture this passage brings to mind?

Sermon Review and Application:
1. Ask someone to retell the story of the younger son.
2. Encourage the group to imagine Jesus in this role, as the obedient prodigal son.
3. How much did Jesus give us to go to a distant land (earth)?
4. How does Jesus look enduing the pain and loss of earth?
5. What did the scene look like when Jesus arrived home to God?
6. How was it to imagine Jesus as the obedient prodigal son? Did it provide a fresh perspective for you? Did it cause you to grow in appreciation or love for Jesus?
7. What can you learn about yourself and God from this exercise?

For further study:

Scripture: Psalm 22, Psalm 31, Psalm 34, Psalm 69
Resources: “The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Henri Nouwen

To prepare for next week: Meditate upon Luke 15:11-32