1. A Prodigal in the Family Bible Study Luke 15:11-32

2. LAM / LWML 040106 2 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 We Pray... Holy Spirit, open our hearts to the wonderful messages of God our Father’s love as we study the Word!

3. LAM / LWML 040106 3 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 Move us, as well, to live in our families with the foundation of mercy and grace and love which You have shown us in Jesus! In His Name I pray. Amen!

4. LAM / LWML 040106 4 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 Read Luke 15:11-32... Read Luke 15:11-32... To which family member in this parable can you best relate …and why?

5. LAM / LWML 040106 5 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 For Starters... For Starters... Discuss your understanding of the word prodigal.

6. LAM / LWML 040106 6 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 For Starters... For Starters... Think of a time, and some circumstance when YOU or another member of your family have been “prodigal”

7. LAM / LWML 040106 7 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 A Selfish Son... (11-13) Couldn’t wait until his father was deadCouldn’t wait until his father was dead Robbed his fatherRobbed his father Showed no concern for his older brotherShowed no concern for his older brother Had total disregard for his familyHad total disregard for his family

8. LAM / LWML 040106 8 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 A Sinful Son... (13) Lived in riotous livingLived in riotous living Went to a far country…Went to a far country… to hide his sin

9. LAM / LWML 040106 9 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 A Starving Son (14) Spent his all Spent his all There was a mighty famine There was a mighty famine (The order here DOES make a difference!)

10. LAM / LWML 040106 10 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 A Smelly Son (15-16) With the pigs With the pigs Gets what he deserves Gets what he deserves (Is it only a detail that he ended up in a pig-pen?) (Is it only a detail that he ended up in a pig-pen?)

11. LAM / LWML 040106 11 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 A Sorry Son (17) Knows who he is Knows who he is Knows what he has done Knows what he has done Also knows his father Also knows his father Heads home! Heads home!

12. LAM / LWML 040106 12 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 A Son with a Speech (18-20) “I have sinned!” “I have sinned!” “I am not worthy to be your son!” “I am not worthy to be your son!” “Make me a servant!” “Make me a servant!” Had his dad at “hello!” Had his dad at “hello!”

13. LAM / LWML 040106 13 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 Wasteful Wasteful Woman-chasing Woman-chasing Pleasure-seeking Pleasure-seeking Death-deserving Death-deserving Wanderer Wanderer Rebellious Wine-drinking Pig-feeding Cursed A ne’er-do-well ??? ??? The Younger Son…

14. LAM / LWML 040106 14 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 But... What if prodigal means… –“extravagant… to a degree bordering on recklessness”? –“extravagant, very generous, lavish and unrestrained, bountiful, excessive, profuse in giving”?

15. LAM / LWML 040106 15 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 Read again Luke 15:20b-24… The FATHER… Divided the property Divided the property Waited for the son’s return Waited for the son’s return Had compassion on him Had compassion on him Shamed himself (to the extreme)… Shamed himself (to the extreme)… by running!

16. LAM / LWML 040106 16 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 Read again Luke 15:20b-24… The FATHER… Embraced him Embraced him Kissed him Kissed him Put the best robe on him Put the best robe on him (covering his sin)

17. LAM / LWML 040106 17 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 Read again Luke 15:20b-24… The FATHER… Gave him the family signet ring Gave him the family signet ring (restoring him to the family) Gave him shoes Gave him shoes (worn by sons, not slaves)

18. LAM / LWML 040106 18 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 Read again Luke 15:20b-24… The FATHER… Killed THE fattened calf Killed THE fattened calf (saved for SPECIAL occasions!) Ate and Celebrated! Ate and Celebrated! (Did they sing “Amazing Grace?”)

19. LAM / LWML 040106 19 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 Read again Luke 15:20b-24… The FATHER… Declared him “home free!” Declared him “home free!” Welcomed him as he always was… Welcomed him as he always was… his son!

20. LAM / LWML 040106 20 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 The father… IS prodigal!!! –“extravagant… to a degree bordering on recklessness” –“extravagant, very generous, lavish and unrestrained, bountiful, excessive, profuse in giving”

21. LAM / LWML 040106 21 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 The father… IS prodigal!!! He extravagantly gives … His Mercy …His Mercy … His Grace …His Grace … His Love … to this unlovely son!His Love … to this unlovely son!

22. LAM / LWML 040106 22 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 The older son … (25-32) Was angry Was angry Was envious Was envious Was jealous Was jealous Refused to go in Refused to go in Dissed (disrespected) his father Dissed (disrespected) his father Scorned his brother Scorned his brother Was as lost as his wandering brother was. Was as lost as his wandering brother was.

23. LAM / LWML 040106 23 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 The Father… (25-32) IS prodigal also with the older son!!! Came out and entreated him to come inCame out and entreated him to come in Reasoned with him, reached out to himReasoned with him, reached out to him Was as patient with the older as he had been with the otherWas as patient with the older as he had been with the other

24. LAM / LWML 040106 24 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 The FATHER… Declared him “home free!” Declared him “home free!” Reminded him of what he always was… Reminded him of what he always was… his son!

25. LAM / LWML 040106 25 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 The father… IS prodigal!!! He extravagantly gives … His Mercy …His Mercy … His Grace …His Grace … His Love … to this unlovely son!His Love … to this unlovely son!

26. LAM / LWML 040106 26 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 God is prodigal to us… God is prodigal to us… –Psalm 33:6,9; Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16 He made all things! He made all things! –Genesis 2:7; Psalm 139:13-14; Isaiah 43:1 He made us wonderful, His own! He made us wonderful, His own!

27. LAM / LWML 040106 27 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 God is prodigal to us… God is prodigal to us… –Psalm 145:15-16; 31:15; 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 121:7-8; John 6:13 He takes care of us! He takes care of us! –Galatians 4:4-5; John 8:36; Isaiah 53:4-5; Romans 5:8 He sent Jesus to redeem us! He sent Jesus to redeem us!

28. LAM / LWML 040106 28 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 God is prodigal to us… God is prodigal to us… –John 11:25-26; 2 Corinthians 5:15; John 3:16 He gives us life… to the full! He gives us life… to the full! –Psalm 130:3-4; 32:5; 1 John 2:2 He welcomes us home, forgiving our sins! He welcomes us home, forgiving our sins!

29. LAM / LWML 040106 29 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 God is prodigal to us… God is prodigal to us… –Romans 8:38-39; 1 John 3:1; Psalm 103:13 He loves us prodigiously! He loves us prodigiously! –Psalm 23:6; 106:1 His mercy, grace, love endures forever! His mercy, grace, love endures forever!

30. LAM / LWML 040106 30 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 For Discussion… Is it possible that God was being prodigal toward the younger son already when he was in the pigpen and his belly was aching with every rumble?

31. LAM / LWML 040106 31 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 For Discussion… When has God, our Father, been prodigal for you during difficult situations?

32. LAM / LWML 040106 32 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 For Discussion… Is there a prodigal in your family?

33. LAM / LWML 040106 33 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 What are some basic things today’s families need that the prodigal father expressed toward both of his children? Mercy Mercy Grace Grace Love Love

34. LAM / LWML 040106 34 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 For Discussion… What are some basic things today’s families need that God, our Prodigal Father, expresses toward us, His dear children?

35. LAM / LWML 040106 35 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 For Discussion… How may I be prodigal to my family in the days to come?

36. LAM / LWML 040106 36 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 For Discussion… What difference would it make if we were all prodigal with one another?

37. LAM / LWML 040106 37 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 For Discussion… What kind of party could you “throw” to celebrate God’s prodigal love in your home?

38. LAM / LWML 040106 38 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 We pray … Prodigal God, You have extravagantly loved us and poured out Your mercy on us in Jesus, even when we have gone astray and lost our way!

39. LAM / LWML 040106 39 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 We pray … Fill us with Your prodigious love, that we may in turn extravagantly, generously, lavishly …

40. LAM / LWML 040106 40 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 We pray … pour out Your unrestrained, bountiful, excessive, profuse love in Jesus to others, until we celebrate with You at home in glory. In His wondrous Name I pray. Amen!

41. LAM / LWML 040106 41 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 Let’s sing together … Amazing grace! how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see!

42. LAM / LWML 040106 42 A Prodigal in the Family Luke 15:11-32 Let’s sing together … The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.

43. A Prodigal in the Family Bible Study Luke 15:11-32 Prepared for Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly By Rev. Larry A. Miller