Romans 3:23 CSB
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Isaiah 1:2-3 CSB
Listen, heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken:
“I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s feeding trough, but Israel does not know; my people do not understand.”

prodigal - wastefully or recklessly extravagant
(n) a person who is wasteful of his or her money, possessions, etc.

Luke 15:11-12 ESV
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 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.

Luke 15:13-16 ESV
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. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

BE UNWAVERING IN PRAYER

Luke 15:17-19 ESV
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! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”

REJECT APATHY & HOPELESSNESS

Luke 15:20a ESV
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion…

GIVE RECKLESSLY EXTRAVAGANT LOVE

Luke 15:2-24 ESV
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. 21 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.’ 22 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. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

1 John 3:1 ESV
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Isaiah 30:18 CSB
Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.

QUESTIONS FOR THE ROAD:
Have you ever had a season of running from and rebellion of God? How did God “Do whatever it takes” to bring you home?

How does the mercy and grace of being a “child of God” shift your own perspective of your children, or those you would consider spiritual children?

How can you tangibly show extravagant, unconditional love to your children this week, regardless if they are home or are currently prodigal? It might be helpful to reflect on how you personally experience this kind of love from God.