Read Luke 15:11-24
How do we relate?
Vs 12
We get very demanding of God
We want a great job.
Mindset of “I want…”
Only certain disciplers
Opposite Sex Relationship
Vs 13
Sets off
Leaves the relationship of the family
Who were your best relationships?
Why did you leave them?
By himself – Darkness
Why did he go far away?
Distance self
Squanders Wealth in wild living
We give up a righteous life for things that “look” better to us, things we know God’s church would not approve of.
What drew you away from God’s family, and what have you been involved in since you left?
He began to be in need
You must feel a need in your heart or you wouldn’t be here?
What needs do you have?
How did you try to meet those needs before?
Vs 15-16
He tried to fix everything on his own.
He did something that he never would have considering doing before: He “longed” to eat pig food.
Like the Prodigal son, when we drift, we will we do things we never thought we would.
Can you relate to him? How?
Vs 17-19
Came to his senses
Now in his right mind what are his thoughts?
Began to think about his life with his Father
Blessings he had that he took for granted
Sin that he had committed
How he treated his family
Vs 20
Got up and went
The really hard part
He had to make some serious decisions – what were they?
Where do you feel you have to “go” and what are you going to say and do?
God is very compassionate
What was the father (God) doing in the story?
He was watching for his son, when he saw him even at a distance, he ran to meet him
What does that say about God? How does that make you feel?
Vs 21
Heart of repentance.
He wanted to confess
He had a heart of humility
This is not about a list of things to do; it’s about a heart that longs to be right with God and His church.
Vs 22-24
Great celebration over the restoration of the right relationship
When we get our hearts to where they need to be, everyone rejoices
We need to understand this road is never easy.
Is this what you want to do, and are you willing to make the decisions necessary and follow them with the actions of a life of repentance?
Talk about being a follower of Jesus, learning and growing daily from His word and putting it into practice. Being with Him daily in prayer.
Ask him/her to pray during the coming days and write down their initial thoughts on what their repentance should include.
Pray and schedule the next study.
