We talked about the parable of the Prodigal Son.
After disrespecting his father, and ruining his own life, the son finally returns… To the great joy of his father.
But everyone wasn’t filled with joy.
Luke 15:28–30 (NLT)
The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
When you first read the older brother’s reaction, were you able to identify with him? Can you understand how he might feel that way? Have you ever felt that way?
What might that reveal about your view of grace?
What kinds of people (or sins) make you feel like, “They don’t deserve that kind of welcome”? Why do those situations feel especially offensive?
The older brother says, “All these years I’ve slaved for you…” Has your relationship with God ever morphed into master/slave in a bad way? Have you ever felt more like an employee than a child? What “job description” have you assumed?
John 15:4–5 (NLT)
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
Have you ever measured your faithfulness by how much good you do, or how much bad you don’t do, rather than by closeness with the Father? How has that shaped your heart?
The older brother assumes deprivation: “You never gave me even a young goat…” (v. 29). Have you ever felt that God has held out on you? How?
How does that belief affect your prayer life and worship?
1 Corinthians 3:22–23 (NLT)
Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
The father says, “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours” (v. 31). Which part of that is hardest to believe—with me or everything I have is yours? Why?
Romans 8:15–17 (NLT)
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.
What are subtle signs you might have a hard heart toward God: low joy, quick criticism, comparison, irritability, prayerlessness, refusing celebration? Which ones do you recognize in yourself lately?
The older brother is physically “near” the father but relationally “outside” the party (v. 28). Where do you show up to church activities yet stay emotionally distant from God and people? What keeps you outside?
Revelation 3:20 (NLT)
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
The father goes out and pleads (v. 28). When have you sensed God inviting you back into joy, tenderness, or repentance—but you resisted? What did resistance look like?
If “starting over with the Father” is less about trying harder and more about coming home, what would a concrete “come inside” step be this week (confession, receiving forgiveness, celebrating someone else’s grace-story, practicing gratitude, asking God to soften your heart)? What might you need to lay down to take that step?