In ancient times a feast had more dimensions to it than merely eating. It was a time to sing, dance, reunite with long-lost friends, renew relationships, celebrate community, and so on.
What joys do you most anticipate at the feast of the father?
Monday, March 15, 2010
Week 6 Discussion Question 9
The book mentions four things we need in order to have a foretaste of future salvation now – prayer, service to others, changes to our inner nature through the Gospel, and healed relationships that Christ can give.
Which one of these do you hunger for most and why?
Which one of these do you hunger for most and why?
Week 6 Discussion Question 8
“[T]here is no way you will be able to grow spiritually apart from a deep involvement in a community of other believers.] (p. 125)
Why is this true?
(See: page 127)
Why is this true?
(See: page 127)
Week 6 Discussion Question 7
“Behavioral compliance to rules without heart-change will be superficial and fleeting.” (p.119)
Have you found this to be true in your own experience? How then is real, lasting change possible? (See: pages 118-119)
Have you found this to be true in your own experience? How then is real, lasting change possible? (See: pages 118-119)
Week 6 Discussion Question 6
Do you agree with Martin Luther that “religion” is the default mode of the human heart? In what ways can “religion” be an obstacle for us as we seek to obey Christ? (See: p. 115)
Week 6 Discussion Question 5
“The ultimate purpose of [Jesus’ life and death] is not only individual salvation and pardon from sins but also the renewal of this world, the end of disease, poverty, injustice, violence, suffering, and death.” (p. 110)
In what ways can you be part of God’s plan to renew all of creation? (See: page 112)
In what ways can you be part of God’s plan to renew all of creation? (See: page 112)
Week 6 Discussion Question 4
[Jesus’] love can become more real to you than the love of anyone else. It can delight, galvanize, and console you.” (page 108)
How has Jesus’ love delighted, galvanized or consoled you or someone you know?
How has Jesus’ love delighted, galvanized or consoled you or someone you know?
Week 6 Discussion Questions 2 and 3
2. What positive images come to mind when you hear the word "home"?
Comments made by class members included seeing "home" as a place where you are always welcome and can be yourself, also realizing that not everyone has had a positive experience in their homes. Having a home gives one a sense of security, belonging and healthy attachment to others. People, such as children who grow up in a series of foster homes, miss the experience of having one home that provides them with these benefits and have difficulty later one because of this lack.
The book talks about "home" as powerful, yet elusive concept.
"The strong feelings that surround it reveal some deep longing within us for a place that absolutely fits and suits us, where we can be, or perhaps find, our true selves.Yet it seems that no place or actual family ever satisfies these yearnings. . ."
"The Prodigal God" pages 91-92
In this way, Rev. Keller sees the human race as exiles, always yearning to be home, always traveling, but never arriving.
3. How is our longing for home explained by the biblical narrative of creation > fall > redemption > restoration?
Creation
(See: pages 95-96)
In Genesis, we are told we were created to live in a garden with God, where there was no parting from love, no decay or disease because it was life in the face of God, in his presence.
Fall
(See: page 96)
But we chafed under God's authority. We wanted to live without God's interference. So we turned away, became alienated from him,and lost our home for the same reason the younger brother lost his. The result was exile.
In this way, we became wandering spiritual exiles who are living in a world that does not fit our deepest longings.
Redemption
(See: pages 101-102)
Jesus came to save all of us from sin, evil and death itself. He came to bring the human race Home by taking upon himself the full curse of human rebellion and cosmic homelessness.
Restoration
(See: pages 102-103)
At the end of history, the whole earth will become the Garden of Eden again, where the father will meet us, embrace us, and bring us into a feast that is beyond our imagining.
Comments made by class members included seeing "home" as a place where you are always welcome and can be yourself, also realizing that not everyone has had a positive experience in their homes. Having a home gives one a sense of security, belonging and healthy attachment to others. People, such as children who grow up in a series of foster homes, miss the experience of having one home that provides them with these benefits and have difficulty later one because of this lack.
The book talks about "home" as powerful, yet elusive concept.
"The strong feelings that surround it reveal some deep longing within us for a place that absolutely fits and suits us, where we can be, or perhaps find, our true selves.Yet it seems that no place or actual family ever satisfies these yearnings. . ."
"The Prodigal God" pages 91-92
In this way, Rev. Keller sees the human race as exiles, always yearning to be home, always traveling, but never arriving.
3. How is our longing for home explained by the biblical narrative of creation > fall > redemption > restoration?
Creation
(See: pages 95-96)
In Genesis, we are told we were created to live in a garden with God, where there was no parting from love, no decay or disease because it was life in the face of God, in his presence.
Fall
(See: page 96)
But we chafed under God's authority. We wanted to live without God's interference. So we turned away, became alienated from him,and lost our home for the same reason the younger brother lost his. The result was exile.
In this way, we became wandering spiritual exiles who are living in a world that does not fit our deepest longings.
Redemption
(See: pages 101-102)
Jesus came to save all of us from sin, evil and death itself. He came to bring the human race Home by taking upon himself the full curse of human rebellion and cosmic homelessness.
Restoration
(See: pages 102-103)
At the end of history, the whole earth will become the Garden of Eden again, where the father will meet us, embrace us, and bring us into a feast that is beyond our imagining.
Week 6 Discussion Question 1
If you had the opportunity to read Chapter 6 of "The Prodigal God" book, what was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you read anything that raised questions in your mind?
Week 5 Discussion Question 7
If Jesus is our true elder brother, how does this change our relationship with him?
Our worship?
Our service?
Our obedience?
Our view of the future?
Our worship?
Our service?
Our obedience?
Our view of the future?
Week 5 Discussion Question 6
What did it cost the father to bring his younger son home?
What did it cost the elder brother?
What did it cost to bring us home?
(See: pages 85 and 87).
What did it cost the elder brother?
What did it cost to bring us home?
(See: pages 85 and 87).
Week 5 Discussion Question 5
“Forgiveness always comes at a cost.” (p.83)
How can this truth be seen in the parable? In your own experience?
(See: p. 84)
How can this truth be seen in the parable? In your own experience?
(See: p. 84)
Week 5 Discussion Question 4
What would help you identify the “sin” under all your other sins”? How can you dismantle that particular sin beneath other sins?
Week 5 Discussion Question 3
“To truly become Christians we must also repent of the reasons we ever did anything right. Pharisees only repent of their sins, but Christians repent of the very roots of their righteousness too.” (p. 78)
How is this explanation different from the way most people understand repentance? How does this change the way you repent?
How is this explanation different from the way most people understand repentance? How does this change the way you repent?
Week 5 Discussion Question 2
“We will never find God until he first seeks us”. (page 75)
How has this been true in your own experience? Where in the Bible can we see this?
How has this been true in your own experience? Where in the Bible can we see this?
Week 5 Discussion Question 1
If you had the opportunity to read Chapter 5 of "The Prodigal God" book, what was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you read anything that raised questions in your mind?
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Week 4 Discussion Question 8
Look back at your answers to questions 2 and 3. Do you tend to behave more like a younger brother or an elder brother? Were there times in your life when you behaved more like one than the other?
Week 4 Discussion Question 7
How would the attitude of the older brother make it harder for the younger brother to come home? How can you keep this from happening in your own life and in your church?
Week 4 Discussion Question 6
If your motivation to do good is to earn God's favor, how does this affect the goodness of the action? (See: pages 59-60)
Week 4 Discussion Question 5
Richard Lovelace writes, “[People] who are no longer sure that God loves and accepts them in Jesus, apart from their present spiritual achievements, are subconsciously radically insecure persons.” (p.54)
Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not?
Do you agree with this assessment? Why or why not?
Week 4 Discussion Question 4
"The first sign you have an elder brother spirit is when your life doesn't go as you want, you are aren't just sorrowful but deeply angry and bitter." (page 49)
What thoughts, feelings, and assumptions lead to such anger and bitterness?
(See: pages 49-50)
What thoughts, feelings, and assumptions lead to such anger and bitterness?
(See: pages 49-50)
Week 4 Discussion Question 3
How does the elder brother view . . .
Himself?
His brother?
His father?
At the start of the parable, how does the younger brother view . . .
Himself?
His brother?
His father?
Himself?
His brother?
His father?
At the start of the parable, how does the younger brother view . . .
Himself?
His brother?
His father?
Week 4 Discussion Question 2
Add to the elder brother characteristics from what you have read in Chapter 4 of the book.
Week 4 Discussion Question 1
If you had the opportunity to read Chapter 4 of "The Prodigal God" book, what was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you read anything that raised questions in your mind?
Week 3 Discussion Question 10
If you asked the average person on the street to define the word “sin”, what would they say? How does Jesus challenge this definition in the parable? (See: page 43)
Week 3 Discussion Question 9
Do you agree or disagree that being an elder brother is a more spiritually desperate condition than being a younger brother? Why? (See: pages 46-47)
Week 3 Discussion Question 8
Where does the elder brother find his significance and happiness? Where do we tend to look for our significance and happiness? Be specific.
Week 3 Discussion Question 7
How are the younger and elder brother different? How are they alike?
(See: pages 33-36)
(See: pages 33-36)
Week 3 Discussion Question 5
“You can rebel against God and be alienated from him either by breaking his rules or by keeping all of them diligently.” (pp. 36-37)
Explain this statement, using examples if possible.
(See: pages 37-39)
Week 3 Discussion Question 4
If God's grace is absolutely free and we cannot earn it or merit it in any way, what motivation is there to live an obedient life?
Week 3 Discussion Question 3
The younger brother believes he is no longer worthy to be called his father's son. What does that tell about his view of what it takes to be loved and accepted? Is this view prevalent today?
Week 3 Discussion Question 2
"There is no evil that the father's love cannot pardon and cover, there is no sin that is a match for his grace: (p. 24)
How can this be seen in the parable, in other Bible stories, or in your own experience?
How can this be seen in the parable, in other Bible stories, or in your own experience?
Week 3 Discussion Question 1
If you had the opportunity to read Chapters 2 and 3 of "The Prodigal God" book, what was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you read anything that raised questions in your mind?
Week 2 Discussion Question 6
Why do you think many churches today are not attracting the broken and marginalized with Jesus' message of grace? (See: pp. 15-26)
Here is a related video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4ssSlt1HXs
Here is a related video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4ssSlt1HXs
Week 2 Discussion Question 5
"Frequently, the oldest sibling in the family is the parent-pleaser, the responsible one who obeys the parental standards. The younger sibling tends to be the rebel, a free spirit who prefers the company and admiration of his peers. The first child grows up, takes a conventional job, and settles down near Mom and Dad, while the younger sibling goes off to live in the hip-shabby neighborhoods of New York and Los Angeles. (See: page 11)
Have you observed this dynamic in your own or other families?
Have you observed this dynamic in your own or other families?
Week 2 Discussion Question 4
Can you think of other incidents from Jesus' life where he comes into conflict with the Pharisees and the teachers of the law? Why do you think they were opposed to Jesus and his teaching?
Week 2 Discussion Question 3
How have you seen both religious and irreligious lifestyles lead to spiritual emptiness? Share examples.
Week 2 Discussion Question 2
Consider the audience to whom Jesus told this parable. What does that tell us about the traditional name of the parable? (See: pages xiv and 7-9)
Week 2 Discussion Question 1
If you had the opportunity to read the Introduction and Chapter 1 of "The Prodigal God" book, what was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you read anything that raised questions in your mind?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Week 1 Discussion Question 4
Is there anything you would like to pray for personally or as a result of what you saw on the DVD?
Week 1 Discussion Question 2
Who do you identify with more, the younger brother or the elder brother? Why?
Week 1 Discussion Question 1
Discussion Question 1: Was there anything from the DVD that was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you hear anything that raised questions in your mind?
Audio Sermons
There are 7 sermons on the author's web site. Here are the links:
1. He Welcomes Sinners: Luke 15:1-10
http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sites/sermons2.redeemer.com/files/sermons/RPC-He_Welcomes_Sinners.mp3
2. Give Me Mine: Luke 15:11-14
http://download.redeemer.com/sermons/Give_Me_MineF.mp3
3. He Came To Himself: Luke 15:11-20
http://download.redeemer.com/sermons/He_Came_to_HimselfF.mp3
4. To Be Called Your Son: Luke 15:21-24
http://download.redeemer.com/sermons/To_Be_Called_Your_SonF.mp3
5. And Kissed Him: Luke 15:11-24
http://download.redeemer.com/sermons/And_Kissed_HimF.mp3
6. We Had to Celebrate: Luke 15:17-32
http://download.redeemer.com/sermons/We_Had_to_CelebrateF.mp3
7. The True Older Brother: Luke 15:17-32
http://download.redeemer.com/sermons/The_True_Older_BrotherF.mp3
Welcome and Preview
Welcome to the St. Andrew's Prodigal God Bible study!
Click on the following link for a video preview for our study:
http://www.theprodigalgod.com/video.html
If you do not have RealPlayer on your computer, you may download RealPlayer SP for free at:
http://www.real.com/
TO JOIN THE DISCUSSION, CLICK ON A QUESTION LINK AND TYPE YOUR RESPONSE IN A COMMENT BOX
I hope you enjoy this Bible study and blog!
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Then Jesus told them this parable:
"There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 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. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything."
"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 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. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."
"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 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. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'"
"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
Click on the following link for a video preview for our study:
http://www.theprodigalgod.com/video.html
If you do not have RealPlayer on your computer, you may download RealPlayer SP for free at:
http://www.real.com/
TO JOIN THE DISCUSSION, CLICK ON A QUESTION LINK AND TYPE YOUR RESPONSE IN A COMMENT BOX
I hope you enjoy this Bible study and blog!
THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON: LUKE 15:1-3, 11-32
Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Then Jesus told them this parable:
"There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 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. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything."
"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 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. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."
"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 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. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'"
"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"
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