Luke 15

Go Deep

(Luke 15)

Read Luke 15:1-2. How did Jesus and the Pharisees differ in the way they thought of God? Thought of people? Do you think more like a Pharisee or like Jesus?

Read Luke 15:11-32. Who do you think is the most important character in the story? What do you base your answer on?

Why does Jesus go into detail regarding the son’s decline?

Describe the father in this story. What kind of person is he?

Compare and contrast the two sons. How do they differ? How are they alike?

If someone at one of the younger son’s parties asked him to describe his father, how might he have done so? If one of the older son’s friends asked him about his father, how might he have described him (vv. 25-32)?

What are some things that would likely be true of a person who sees God as the younger son saw his father? As the older son saw his father?

If someone asked you to describe your heavenly Father, what would you say?

How did the father treat his younger son? How did the father treat his older son? What does this say about the father?

Do you think it is possible to change people’s hearts for the better by rejecting them? Explain your answer.

Do you think the younger son was better off because he went through shame and pain or not?

If you were a Pharisee or teacher of the law (v. 2), what would you suppose Jesus was trying to get at by telling this story? If you were a tax collector or sinner (v. 1), what point would you think Jesus was making?

What’s the take-home in these stories for us?