A Prodigal in the Family Bible Study

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A Prodigal in the Family Bible Study

• Luke 1511-32

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• We Pray. . .
• Holy Spirit, open our hearts
• to the wonderful messages
• of God our Fathers love
• as we study the Word!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• 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!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• Read Luke 1511-32 . . .
• To which family member in this parable
  can you best relate and why?

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• For Starters . . .
• Discuss your understanding of the word prodigal.

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• For Starters . . .
• Think of a time,
• and some circumstance
• when YOU or another member
• of your family
• have been prodigal

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• A Selfish Son . . . (11-13)
• Couldnt wait until his father was dead
• Robbed his father
• Showed no concern for his older brother
• Had total disregard for his family

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• A Sinful Son . . . (13)
• Lived in riotous living
• Went to a far country
• to hide his sin

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• A Starving Son (14)
• Spent his all
• There was a mighty famine
• (The order here DOES make a difference!)

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• A Smelly Son (15-16)
• With the pigs
• Gets what he deserves
• (Is it only a detail that he ended up in a
  pig-pen?)

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• A Sorry Son (17)
• Knows who he is
• Knows what he has done
• Also knows his father
• Heads home!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• A Son with a Speech (18-20)
• I have sinned!
• I am not worthy to be your son!
• Make me a servant!
• Had his dad at hello!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32
The Younger Son

• Wasteful
• Woman-chasing
• Pleasure-seeking
• Death-deserving
• Wanderer

• Rebellious
• Wine-drinking
• Pig-feeding
• Cursed
• A neer-do-well

• ???

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• But . . . What if prodigal means
• extravagant
• to a degree bordering on recklessness?
• extravagant, very generous,
• lavish and unrestrained, bountiful,
• excessive, profuse in giving?

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• Read again Luke 1520b-24
• The FATHER
• Divided the property
• Waited for the sons return
• Had compassion on him
• Shamed himself (to the extreme)
• by running!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• Read again Luke 1520b-24
• The FATHER
• Embraced him
• Kissed him
• Put the best robe on him
• (covering his sin)

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• Read again Luke 1520b-24
• The FATHER
• Gave him the family signet ring
• (restoring him to the family)
• Gave him shoes
• (worn by sons, not slaves)

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• Read again Luke 1520b-24
• The FATHER
• Killed THE fattened calf
• (saved for SPECIAL occasions!)
• Ate and Celebrated!
• (Did they sing Amazing Grace?)

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• Read again Luke 1520b-24
• The FATHER
• Declared him home free!
• Welcomed him as he always was
• his son!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• The father
• IS prodigal!!!
• extravagant to a degree
• bordering on recklessness
• extravagant, very generous,
• lavish and unrestrained, bountiful,
• excessive, profuse in giving

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• The father
• IS prodigal!!!
• He extravagantly gives
• His Mercy
• His Grace
• His Love to this unlovely son!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• The older son (25-32)
• Was angry
• Was envious
• Was jealous
• Refused to go in
• Dissed (disrespected) his father
• Scorned his brother
• Was as lost as his wandering brother was.

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• The Father(25-32)
• IS prodigal also with the older son!!!
• Came out and entreated him to come in
• Reasoned with him, reached out to him
• Was as patient with the older as he had been
  with the other

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• The FATHER
• Declared him home free!
• Reminded him of what he always was
• his son!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• The father
• IS prodigal!!!
• He extravagantly gives
• His Mercy
• His Grace
• His Love to this unlovely son!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• God is prodigal to us
• Psalm 336,9 Hebrews 113 Colossians 116
• He made all things!
• Genesis 27 Psalm 13913-14 Isaiah 431
• He made us wonderful, His own!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• God is prodigal to us
• Psalm 14515-16 3115 1 Peter 57 Psalm
  1217-8 John 613
• He takes care of us!
• Galatians 44-5 John 836 Isaiah 534-5
  Romans 58
• He sent Jesus to redeem us!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• God is prodigal to us
• John 1125-26 2 Corinthians 515 John 316
• He gives us life to the full!
• Psalm 1303-4 325 1 John 22
• He welcomes us home, forgiving our sins!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• God is prodigal to us
• Romans 838-39 1 John 31 Psalm 10313
• He loves us prodigiously!
• Psalm 236 1061
• His mercy, grace, love endures forever!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• 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?

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• For Discussion
• When has God, our Father,
• been prodigal for you
• during difficult situations?

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• For Discussion
• Is there a prodigal in your family?

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• What are some basic things
• todays families need
• that the prodigal father expressed
• toward both of his children?
• Mercy
• Grace
• Love

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• For Discussion
• What are some basic things
• todays families need
• that God, our Prodigal Father,
• expresses toward us,
• His dear children?

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• For Discussion
• How may I be prodigal to my family in
  the days to come?

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• For Discussion
• What difference would it make if we were all
  prodigal with one another?

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• For Discussion
• What kind of party
• could you throw
• to celebrate
• Gods prodigal love
• in your home?

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• 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!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• We pray
• Fill us with Your prodigious love,
• that we may in turn
• extravagantly,
• generously,
• lavishly

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• 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!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• Lets 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!

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A Prodigal in the FamilyLuke 1511-32

• Lets 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.

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A Prodigal in the Family Bible Study

• Luke 1511-32
• Prepared for Lutheran Womans Quarterly
• By Rev. Larry A. Miller