Community Group Questions: February 2nd-8th

February 2nd, 2025
by Karissa Smith

Luke 15:11-32

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Before you all panic about the length, its mostly quotes to read not 1904823904 questions so relax

Questions:

Doctrine - How we Think

Explore the theme of repentance in the parable. What does true repentance look like according to Jesus' teaching?
Is it easy for you to be critical of other believers who either wrestle with their faith or who are successful? How so?
In light of the parable’s context in Luke 15:2 why does Jesus leave the story open-ended as to how the older brother responded to his father’s plea?

Worship - How we Feel

Discuss the following pieces of commentary on this passage from Tim Keller.
1. “The gospel does not agree that there are spiritually two kinds of people in the world — "good" and "bad." Instead, it says there are just two different kinds of "running from God." You can run away by breaking the rules or by keeping them. But you are running nonetheless.”
2. “When the message of the gospel is clear, moral people tend to dislike it, while irreligious people are intrigued and attracted. The way to know that you are communicating and living the same gospel message as Jesus is that "younger brothers" are more attracted to you than elder brothers. This is a very searching test, because almost always, our churches are not like that. The kinds of people that were attracted to Jesus are not attracted to us. We only attract conservative, buttoned down, moral people. The licentious, the "liberated," the broken, the people out of the mainstream very much despise us. That can only mean one thing. We may think we understand the gospel of Jesus, but we don't. If we don't see the same effect Jesus saw, then we lack the same message Jesus had. If our churches aren't filled with younger brothers, then we must be more like the elder brother than we'd like to think.”

Application - What we Do

Have you been more of a younger brother in your thinking and living or an elder brother?
Closing thing to consider (also from Tim Keller): “Jesus Christ is the true elder brother. By way of contrast with this elder brother, he is revealed to us. He came to earth and truly obeyed his father and never disobeyed his orders. He truly has the right to all the father owns. But instead, he came out and searched for us, and found us in the pigsty, and carried us home on his shoulders singing with joy. And he gave us his robe, his ring, his place, his wealth — all at his own expense. Understanding this truth is essential and will transform you. We'll never stop being elder brothers until we rejoice in the work of our true elder brother.”

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