Message Notes
Look Back
Did you find yourself in The Prodigal story? Did you see where God is Reckless towards you?
Look Up
Read Luke 15:12
- Where in your life have you been the younger son? Have you “demanded your rights from God”? Where have you felt entitled to “your right”?
- Where have you exercised authority over yourself? Do you have anywhere in your life where nobody, even God, can tell you what to do?
Read Luke 15:17
- Have you found any "odorants" in your life? What has given you a wake-up call? Or can you think of others who may need this?
- The son realizes his situation and his need to go home. Think about what you need to leave and come home from?
Read Luke 15:27-32
- Have you ever struggled with seeing someone receive God’s blessings after they've turned their life around—even if they’ve hurt you or done something really wrong in the past? Is there an area of your life where you feel like God can't restore you because of what you have done?
- Think about when you have been the “older son.” Consider why you should celebrate like the father. Is there anyone you're currently not celebrating?
Overall (Discovery Bible Study)
- What do these scriptures say about God?
- What do they say about people?
- How will I apply this to my life?
Look Ahead
Who is close to you and far from God? How might God use you to help them find their way home?
Notes
When the younger son came home, he didn't just come physically; his heart did too. He realized the gravity of his situation and what he had done wrong. We were all once the younger son. When we came home, our Father celebrated us and restored us. After coming home and living like the older son, it can be easy to forget what it was like when we were the younger son. What matters is that someone is saved. We have a responsibility to celebrate those who come back, as it's a blessing that they are alive and found. We love them just like our Father loves us, and how the father in the story loved his child!
