Saturday's Scripture
Story for the Week
Parable of the Lost Son(s)
or Loving Father
Luke 15:11-31
The Parable of the Lost Son
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
Pondering Point
Some of you might already know this parable and even memorized it at some level. But read it again – through the lens of where the prodigal Son turns for comfort or security rather than his father. Then note how the father in the story is already prepared to comfort his long-lost son at first sight. That is the heart, the spirit, the soul of God the Father. Too bad it wasn’t the heart and soul and spirit of the older brother.
By the way, the son who wandered off “came to his senses.” He realized what he had available through his father back home. It is good to pause and think about our situation on a regular basis. The spiritual discipline known as Examen invites the Holy Spirit to lead a mental walk back through your day to look for, among other things, times for gratitude. We are training ourselves to find gratitude – which in turn brings out joy. Joy is a great bookend to our days.
“When we start our day with joy, it is easier to face the challenges we will meet throughout the day. When we know we will end our day in a place of joy and peace,
sleep comes more easily and we do not dread life quite
so much.” p.
~ page 20, The 4 Habits, Warner, Coursey
Prayer for the Day
Father God, I want to reflect the heart, the spirit, and the soul seen in the Father of this parable of Jesus. Especially the unbridled joy at others “coming home.” Make me to be like You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Hook Questions
(for use with your group when you are using Bible stories as central to your time together)
What is something you have inherited? If you haven't inherited anything, what would you like to inherit? What have you done or what would you do with what you inherited?
Bible Storying's Core Questions
- What did you like (or learn new) about the story?
- What did you not like (or not understand) about it?
- What are the various people doing in the story? With whom do you identify within the story?
- What is God doing in the story?
- What might God be asking of you triggered by this story? How is He challenging you?
I give everyone and everything to You God;
I give everyone and everything to You.