Study Questions for Groups
1. How did you see God provide for you over the past week?
2. In what specific way did you actively await Christ’s return last week?
Ask two people to read aloud Luke 15:11-32 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to spend about a minute retelling this famous parable.
3. What are the most surprising elements in this parable . . . and why?
4. Let’s dig deeper:
• Verse 11 says “Jesus continued.” The passage we’re studying is the last of three parables all dealing with things or people who are “lost.” What does this indicate about how Jesus cares about people who are far from God?
• Why would the father in the parable grant his younger son’s inheritance request and allow him to leave?
• If the father in this parable represents God the Father, and the younger son represents repentant sinners, who might the older son represent?
5. What do you learn about God from this passage?
• What do you learn about his grace?
• His respect for our life decisions?
• His desire for relationship with us?
6. What do you learn about people?
7. What do you learn about the appropriate motive for obeying God from this passage (especially vv. 29-32)?
8. With whom will you share this parable and God’s desire for a renewed relationship with us?
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
10. Who in your life is still “a long way off” from God and/or you? How can we pray for this person and for you?
For Next Week: Read and reflect on Luke 18:1-14 as we continue studying some of Jesus’ parables. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
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