A Father’s Love
Jesus told this story about the lost son to show how much He loves us and how He wants to accept us when we turn to Him.
The Son Goes His Own Way
(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.
What kind of person was the younger son?
(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.
What did the younger son do? What happened to him?
The Son Comes to His Senses
(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!
Why did he decide to go home to his father’s house?
(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.
What “sin” did the son commit against his father and heaven?
(19) I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
What kind of reception was he expecting to receive back at home?
Accepted Again as a Son!
(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.’
What did the son do after realizing that he had sinned?
(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.
Did the father accept his son? How do we know this?
What do you think of the father?
Ask a Friend
Can you share a story of receiving God’s acceptance and forgiveness?
What do you think about this story?
Is this story like real life?
Application
What can we do to go back to God?
Would you like to receive this kind of forgiveness?
Prayer Model
Heavenly Father, I thank You that You love me and that You are always ready to forgive me and accept me as Your child. Your love is amazing!
Key Verse
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”
