"Prodigal" - Sermon

Read Luke 15: 11-32.

1. What does the word “prodigal” mean? How can it be used in both

positive and negative contexts?

2. Why do you think the father agreed to give the youngest son his

inheritance early?

3. What happens to the youngest son after he goes off on his own?

4. What does the youngest son decide to do when he hits rock bottom?

What is he hoping his father will do for him?

5. How does the father respond to the younger son’s return? What does

this tell us about God’s response to repentant sinners?

6. Why was the older son mad at the end of the parable? Can you

relate?

7. In what ways does the younger son represent sinners and tax

collectors and the older son represent Scribes and Pharisees?

8. Have there been different times in your life when you’ve acted like

each of the brothers? What does the song “Man on the Middle Cross”

by Rhett Walker teach us about ourselves.

9. What do you think about the terms “prodigal forgiveness” and

“prodigal grace”? Have you ever heard “prodigal” used that way

before? What do these terms mean? Why do we need them?

Reflection:

Gracious and Loving God, we come before You with hearts full of gratitude

for Your boundless grace, as demonstrated in the story of the prodigal

son. We confess our own waywardness and sin, and we thank You for the

unwavering love and forgiveness You offer, no matter how far we have

strayed. Just as the father in the parable welcomed his lost son with open

arms, You welcome us back, no matter our failures. Lord, help us to

embrace Your grace fully and live in the light of Your mercy as we extend

this grace to others, reflecting Your love in all that we do. We pray all of

this in the strong name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the

Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.