The parable of the Lost Son actually tells of two sons, one irresponsible, the other hardworking. One wastes his life and comes home humbled; the other proudly refuses to celebrate his brother's homecoming. The story ends with one son in a joyful family celebration, and his brother outside, bitterly unwilling to forgive. Which son is really lost?
· Luke 15:11-32 The Prodigal Son
1. Why do you think the prodigal son decided to leave home?
a. To grow up
b. To get away from his fathers values
c. He wasn't appreciated at home
d. To try to make it on his own
e. To get away from his older brother
2. What was it that caused the prodigal son to come to his senses?
a. Homesickness
b. Guilt
c. Feeling sorry for himself
d. Feeling sorry for his father
e. Hunger pains
f. Realizing he was stupid
g. He had hit bottom
3. When the son returned, what was the fathers attitude?
a. Come on in, but your grounded
b. You have disgraced the family
c. Wheres the money
d. I don't approve, but your still my son
e. Welcome home son, I love you
4. What was the attitude of the older brother?
a. It's unfair
b. Don't expect me to forgive him
c. No use being good
d. He blew his inheritance, now he's blowing mine
5. Why was the older brother so mad?
6. Was his bad attitude justified? Why?
7. Was his unforgiveness aimed at his father or his brother?
8. The older brother was outside the party. How does unforgiveness keep us outside the party?
9. When you/we are unforgiveing you/we always miss the party?
An Unforgiving Spirit
Luke 17:3-4
So watch yourselves,
"If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, `I repent,' forgive him."
How did Jesus warn us to keep bitterness from growing in our lives? (Keep watch)
In order to kill a weed we have to dig up the root, so in order to kill sin we have to dig it up.
How did Jesus tell us to dig out roots in others? (rebuke)
What do you think is harder- rebuking or forgiving others? Why?
Here are some verses on rebuking a fellow Christian.
Galations 6:1
2 Corinthians 2:5-8
How did Jesus tell us to dig out the roots in ourselves? (forgive)
Here are some verses on forgiving a fellow Christian.
Matthew 6:12-15
Matthew 18:21-22
Do you think Jesus was telling us to forgive and forget? Why or why not?
Do you think forgetting an offence is possible?
We may not have total control of our memories, but we can choose to let a bad memory fade by refuseing to dwell on it. Letting go and forgetting require a daily decision to forgive.
Philippians 3:13-14
We can pray for the one who hurt us and focus on good memories of the past or new plans for the future.
Philippians 4:8
Most importantly, we must leave justice in God's hands and not let revenge control us.
Romans 12:19-21
Hebrews 12:14-15
Ephesians 4:32-5:2
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
How are we to forgive others?
How would you like God to act toward you?
Psalm 103:8-14
Are you willing to grant that kind of leniency to people who have done you wrong?
How can we imitate God?
What did Jesus choose to do to bring us forgiveness? (He died on the cross)
How is forgiveness like dying?
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