| The sermon this weekend, January 9/10 will be on Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. The reading assignment in Luke for Everyone can be found on pages 185-192. The questions below are to be used for your small group meeting that relates to this sermon.
Open by praying that God grant you a fresh understanding of the gospel and that you and your group would be enlightened and helped by the parable. Read Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 aloud one verse per person.
1. How is God changing your life?
2. List some of the benefits you have received as a follower of Christ. Make a list of the costs as well.
OBSERVE
3. Who do you identify with more, the younger brother or the elder brother? Why?
4. Describe the younger brother’s attitude toward his father.
5. What is the elder brother’s attitude toward his father?
6. The younger brother believes he is no longer worthy to be called his father’s son. What does that tell you about his view of what it takes to be loved and accepted? Is this view prevalent today?
7. Where does the elder brother find his significance and happiness? Where do we tend to look for our significance and happiness? Be specific.
8. How are the younger and elder brother different? How are they alike?
9. What did it cost the father to bring his younger son home? What did it cost the elder brother? What did it cost to bring us home?
REFLECT
10. How have you seen both religious [elder brother] and irreligious [younger brother] lifestyles lead to spiritual emptiness? Share examples.
11. 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?
12. How would the attitude of the elder brother make it harder for the younger brother to come home? How can you prevent this from happening in your own life or in our church?
ACT
13. What is your next step in following Jesus? Who can you help take a next step in following Jesus?
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