Chapter 2 – The Two Lost Sons
1. Describe the scene, the actions and emotions of the son and father in the homecoming. What is most impacting to you?
2. When a parent reacts to a child’s behavior with, ‘after all I’ve done for you, how can you do this?’ what is at the core? Contrast this with the father in the parable. What do you learn about God?
3. The younger brother believes he is no longer worthy to be called his father’s son. What does this tell us about his view of what it takes to be loved and accepted? Is this view prevalent today?
4. Parents seen to have an overwhelming temptation to bring up the past failures of their children. (Can you think of an example?) Would the father in the story have the same temptation? Why not?
5. “There is no evil that the father’s love cannot pardon and cover, there is no sin that is a match for his grace.” (p. 24) How can this be seen in the parable, in other stories from the Bible, and in your own life?
6. If God’s grace is absolutely free and we cannot earn it or merit it in any way, what motivation is there to live an obedient life? What Bible verses come to mind?
7. As we turn to the elder brother, what are some of the poisonous thoughts, emotions and attitudes that come from him?
8. Action Point:
4/5/10
Prodigal God, Chapter 1
Introduction:
1. Who is the author writing the book for? Why does he think long time church members need this?
2. Why is the traditional name of this parable not the best?
3. What does the word ‘prodigal’ mean? Describe what the concept of a prodigal God means to you personally.
Chapter 1: The People Around Jesus
4. Describe the two groups of people that Jesus is teaching and that are represented by the two brothers in the story.
5. How did each of these groups respond to Jesus?
6. Can you give examples of both groups in current society? How do both of these lifestyles lead to emptiness?
7. Consider these two author quotes about the older brother types:
“Jesus wants to show them their blindness, narrowness, self-righteousness and how these things are destroying both their own souls and the lives of the people around them” (p. 10).
“Religious moralism is a particularly deadly spiritual condition”(p. 14).
Comments? It might be easy to look at other people, let’s look at ourselves.
8. Why is it ‘ironic’ that Christianity has become mostly about religion and morality? (p. 14).
9. In Jesus’ ministry, over and over the outcasts were attracted to him and the religious were angered. As you skim through the gospels, give examples of this. Why were the religious so opposed?
10. Why do you think our Christianity of today is not attracting the broken and marginalized with Jesus’ message of grace?
11. What else did you underline or think about in these chaptaers?
12. What is God saying to your heart through this lesson?
Action Point: Group Challenge
1. Who is the author writing the book for? Why does he think long time church members need this?
2. Why is the traditional name of this parable not the best?
3. What does the word ‘prodigal’ mean? Describe what the concept of a prodigal God means to you personally.
Chapter 1: The People Around Jesus
4. Describe the two groups of people that Jesus is teaching and that are represented by the two brothers in the story.
5. How did each of these groups respond to Jesus?
6. Can you give examples of both groups in current society? How do both of these lifestyles lead to emptiness?
7. Consider these two author quotes about the older brother types:
“Jesus wants to show them their blindness, narrowness, self-righteousness and how these things are destroying both their own souls and the lives of the people around them” (p. 10).
“Religious moralism is a particularly deadly spiritual condition”(p. 14).
Comments? It might be easy to look at other people, let’s look at ourselves.
8. Why is it ‘ironic’ that Christianity has become mostly about religion and morality? (p. 14).
9. In Jesus’ ministry, over and over the outcasts were attracted to him and the religious were angered. As you skim through the gospels, give examples of this. Why were the religious so opposed?
10. Why do you think our Christianity of today is not attracting the broken and marginalized with Jesus’ message of grace?
11. What else did you underline or think about in these chaptaers?
12. What is God saying to your heart through this lesson?
Action Point: Group Challenge
Prodigal God, Intro/Video
Intro Lesson
1. Leader introduces self, book briefly
2. State ground rules of group
a. Confidentiality
b. Limits to sharing
c. Being on time
d. Prepared
e. Other
3. Group members share about themselves – brief testimony, what God has been teaching you recently and what you hope to gain from study
4. Read Parable out loud – Luke 15:1-3; 11-32
5. Watch DVD - 38 minutes (see Crystal for DVD)
6. Discussion questions (taken from Discussion Guide)
a. Was there anything from the DVD that was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you hear anything that raised questions in your mind?
b. Who do you identify with more, the younger brother or the older brother? Why?
c. How close is a great feast to your idea of heaven?
d. Is there anything you would like the group to pray for you personally as a result of the DVD?
7. Prayer Time
1. Leader introduces self, book briefly
2. State ground rules of group
a. Confidentiality
b. Limits to sharing
c. Being on time
d. Prepared
e. Other
3. Group members share about themselves – brief testimony, what God has been teaching you recently and what you hope to gain from study
4. Read Parable out loud – Luke 15:1-3; 11-32
5. Watch DVD - 38 minutes (see Crystal for DVD)
6. Discussion questions (taken from Discussion Guide)
a. Was there anything from the DVD that was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you hear anything that raised questions in your mind?
b. Who do you identify with more, the younger brother or the older brother? Why?
c. How close is a great feast to your idea of heaven?
d. Is there anything you would like the group to pray for you personally as a result of the DVD?
7. Prayer Time
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