Luke 15 STORY OF PRODIGAL SON Cards 16-19 STORY OF PRODIGAL SON Jesus told this parable (an earthly story with a heavenly meaning—the word prodigal means extremely wasteful): There was a rich man who had two sons. The two boys worked with their father on a farm. The elder son helped his father plant the seeds. He helped to look after the pigs and the sheep. The younger son did not like work. He lay in the sun and left the others to do all the hard work. One day, the younger son said to his father, “I do not want to stay here. I want to be with my friends. Give me my share of the farm. I do not want to wait until I am old.” His father was very sad. He did not want to see his son go away. At last he gave him some money. He waved to his son as he went away across the fields. He did not know if he would ever see him again. At first, the boy was very happy. He bought himself fine clothes. He went out with his friends, eating and drinking. Soon, he had spent all his money. His friends went away and left him. He was very lonely. He went to many places looking for work. He was very hungry. A farmer gave him the job of looking after his pigs. He was so hungry that he even wanted the food that was given to the pigs. One day, as he sat on the ground watching the pigs, he said, “I will go home to my father. My father looks after his servants better than this. So he arose a headed home. The father saw him coming far away so he ran to the servants, saying “Make a feast for everyone. At last my son has come home. He told his younger son who was jealous, “Come, let us all be happy together. I thought your brother had gone for good. He was lost and now he is found.” Jesus wanted to teach the people that God loves everyone—no matter what she or he may have done. This parable shows the love of God and His willingness to receive those who repent. WHERE IS THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON IN THE BIBLE? Luke 15

PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON IN FOUND IN WHAT BOOK OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Matthew 15 Mark 15 Luke 15 What is a parable? Where did the two sons work? What did the younger son want to do? Was the younger son lazy? What did the father finally do for the younger son? What did the younger son do with all his money? What job did he get after all his money was gone? He was so hungry he ate what? What did the father do when the son returned? What lesson does this teach us?

QUOTE JOHN 3:16 “GOLDEN TEXT OF THE BIBLE” There was a man named Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees. He was an important Jewish leader. One night he came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a teacher sent from God. Nicodemus wonders: “What must a man do to enter God’s kingdom?” . So secretly—by night—he goes to the place where Jesus is staying, and Jesus answers his question even before he ask it. “A man must be born over again to enter God’s kingdom.” “Born again? How can I be born again when I am old?” Nicodemus ask. “You were Born once of earthly parents. But you must be born again of God’s spirit to live in God’s kingdom.” Jesus answered. Nicodemus was confused and said “I don’t understand?” Jesus answered, “Believe me when I say that everyone must be born from water and the Spirit.” Anyone who is not born from water and the Spirit cannot enter God’s kingdom. The only life people get from their human parents is physical. But the new life that the Spirit gives a person is spiritual. Don’t be surprised that I told you, ‘You must be born again.’ Nicodemus goes away…still puzzled, but wanting to learn more about Jesus and His teaching. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

QUOTE JOHN 3:16 “GOLDEN TEXT OF THE BIBLE For __________so loved the ___________that He gave His only begotten ______________ that whoever ______________________in Him should not ________________________, But have everlasting _____________________. What was the man’s name that came to Jesus by night? What did he ask Jesus? What was Jesus answer. Can we be born in the flesh again? What must we be born of to enter the kingdom of God? What is this kingdom of God? God loved us so he gave what? What must we do to have eternal life.

QUOTE JOHN 20:31 “PURPOSE OF THE WRITTEN GOSPEL Jesus appears to Thomas Why John wrote the book of John “…But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God…” Thomas was one of the twelve, but he was not with the other followers when Jesus came. They told him, “We saw the Lord.” Thomas said, “ That’s hard to believe. I will have to see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side. Only then will I believe it.” A week later the followers were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them. He said,, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “You believe because you see me. What great blessings there are for the people who believe without seeing me!” Why John Wrote This Book Jesus did many other miraculous signs that his followers saw, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you can believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Then, by believing, you can have life through His name.

QUOTE JOHN 20:31 – PURPOSE OF THE WRITTEN GOSPEL “…but these are ______________, that ye might ________________that ________________ is the _____________________, the son of _____________________. Who doubted that the other apostles had seen Jesus. Thomas said he would have to do what before he believed it. The doors were locked, how did Jesus get in? What did Jesus tell Thomas to do? What did Thomas say after he had seen Jesus? Jesus said to Thomas you believe because you did what? What is the reward for people who believe without seeing Jesus? Why did John write the book of John? By believing we can have ___________through His name.

WROTE ACTS Luke was a physician and was often with Paul. He wrote two books of the New Testament (Luke and Acts). Books called Acts because it records some of the acts (deeds) of the apostles but not all of their acts. Riots…Jailbreaks…Violent storms…Miracles! The growth of the early Christian church is filled with action. Luke had already written the story of Jesus. Now, he wanted to tell some of his friends what had happened in the thirty or forty years following Jesus’ life. You’ll see as you read Acts that there was no shortage of things for Luke to write about

WHO WROTE ACTS? Matthew Mark Luke What was his occupation? What other book did he write? Who was he often with? Who had he already written stories about? Acts records some of the acts of who? He wanted to tell some of his friends what had happened since the 30 or 40 years since whose life?