Today’s Devotion
Topic: The Forgiving Father! (Self Assessment)
It’s a great saturday morning and we want to study a very popular parable that Jesus shared- The Prodigal Son. Carefully read the passage below and share your thoughts with us.
Text: Luke 15: 11- 28
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. Amen
Questions:
- Was the rich man right in giving the younger son his share of the inheritance instead of advising him not to go (Verse 12)? Explain
- What does ‘wild living’ in verse 13 mean? Is there a link between “living wild” and “coming to a place of lack” eventually? Especially if you are a youth? Give practical examples.
- What does the great famine in verse 14 signify?
- What are those aspects of the passage that prove this young son really truly repented, paving way for the pardon he received from his father?
- Was the elder son of this rich man justified when he complained against the father’s actions in verses 28-30? Explain your answer please.
- Explain verse 31. Why should that console the older son? How better is that than getting your inheritance and taking off to a distant land?
- How can you relate this rich man’s attitude to the love of God towards us?
- What lessons have you learnt?
Kindly reply through this same social media platform (Whatsapp & Facebook). We learn a great deal from the insights you share.
Come running to Jesus, all who are backsliding and lost. Click and be blessed: https://youtu.be/JdfQ4a0X4to. Watch out for 4JBAND’S Moriah Praise Reloaded concert. 27th December in Accra. 3pm sharp. COME MEET THIS AMAZING BAND FACE TO FACE.
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