The Prodigal Son

Begin with Communion. 

As your group gathers together, begin by sharing communion as a meal. Feel free to use the following template as a way to structure and guide this time:

1. Pass out the elements. Make sure everyone has a cup of juice and bread. Consider just having one piece of bread that everyone can take a small piece from. If you don’t have bread and juice, that’s okay. Just make sure everyone has something to eat.
2. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Once everyone has the elements, have someone read this passage out loud. 
3. Pray over the bread and juice. After the reading, have the Leader or Host bless the food and pray over your time together.
4. Share a meal. Share the rest of the meal like you normally would beginning with the communion elements. 

 

Next, transition to the main discussion for the night by having someone read this summary of the teaching: 

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most well-known parables of Jesus, but it’s also one of the most overfamiliar. Most of us skim past the rich details that Jesus includes when he tells it, so we miss the deeper truths and invitations of this story. By slowing down, we see that this parable is actually about two sons. The Younger Son represents all of us who are driven by desire. When we orient our life around what we think will make us happy, we end up farther from God and others. The Older Brother represents those of us who are driven by duty. When we attempt to earn the free love God offers us, we grow resentful and bitter towards those who we consider lower than us. Both of these sons are lost, and both are in need of their father’s love. But what we learn from this parable is that regardless of which brother we relate to, the solution to our search for love is simple: repenting by returning home. 

 

Now, discuss these questions together as a Group:

1. If you were able to attend the Sunday gathering or if you listened to the teaching online, what stood out to you?
2. Have someone read Luke 15:11-32 — What details stand out from this parable? 
3. What similarities could you name between the Younger Son and his Older Brother? 
4. How does the younger son’s journey reveal the way desire can shape (and distort) our lives? Where do you see echoes of this in your own life?
5. How does the older brother show the danger of a duty-driven faith? Have you ever found yourself slipping into bitterness or entitlement in your own discipleship?
6. In this season of life, which of the two brothers do you resonate with and relate to more? 
7. How does the Father’s embrace of his lost son reshape the way you view God’s love for you? How does it reshape the way you view God’s love for others around you, even those you dislike the most? 

Practice to do right now — Halloween Outreach 

This week we’re taking the next step in planning our Halloween Outreach. the goal tonight is to move from ideas to a finalized plan. That means deciding what you’ll do, where you’ll do it, and who will take responsibility for the different pieces. Use this time to get as clear and practical as possible so you can be prepared to serve your neighbors together. Use the following discussion questions to help you plan:

1. Finalize your event idea. 

1. 1. Which of last week’s ideas fits best with your neighborhood context and your Group’s abilities? (driveway fire pit with hot cocoa, handing out candy + church invites, neighborhood block party vibe, etc.).

2. Decide on roles and responsibilities. 

1. 1. Who will host? 
   2. Who will provide snacks or candy? 
   3. Who will be intentional about welcoming neighbors and making contacts? 

3. Decide on any other logistics.

1. 1. What time will you start and finish? 
   2. Do we need any other materials? 

Pray

Spend some time praying for and encouraging one another.