The True Older Brother
Even if you've never opened a Bible, you've probably heard the word prodigal. Most people think this story is about a son who wandered far from home. But what if that's not the real focus? What if this parable is really about a father pursuing both of his sons - the one who ran away and the one who stayed? What if it's about a Father's love that reaches farther than either of them could imagine?
Today, we explore one of Jesus' most famous parables and discover how it can transform the way we see God's love. Whether you feel far from God or you've been in church for years, this story has the power to challenge, encourage, and change the way you see yourself - and Jesus.
For Adult Homes and Groups
Reread Luke 15:11–32 and reflect on these questions:
1. Which character do you most identify with right now - the younger son, the older son, or the father? Why?
2. What does the father’s response to both sons reveal about the heart of God?
3. Where do you see yourself trying to earn God’s love, approval, or acceptance rather than simply receiving it?
4. How is Jesus inviting you to respond to the Father’s love this week?
For Families with Kids
1. Read Luke 15 together.
2. If you left home and spent all your money, how would you feel about coming back to ask for help?
3. The older brother was angry (v.28). Have you ever felt jealous or resentful when someone else received grace or a reward you felt you deserved?
4. Which character do you relate to more right now - the one who messes up and needs grace, or the one who struggles to extend grace to others?
5. The older brother had lived with his father all along, but he didn’t know his father’s heart (v.31). How can our family live with more joy and celebration instead of keeping score?
Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 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.’ ”
Proverbs 14:12
12 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
Isaiah 64:6-7
6 We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
7 There is no one who calls upon your name,
who rouses himself to take hold of you;
for you have hidden your face from us,
and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.
Ephesians 2:1-10
2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.