The Greatest Stories Ever Told

The Prodigal Son – Study

I invite you to read the whole story of The Prodigal Son together.

Then, you will read smaller sections that help reflect on each character in this parable. I want you to try and imagine you are them and put yourself in their shoes; then, I want you to use your experience ‘in their shoes’ to reflect on your own life and heart.

Read the whole Parable:

Now think about the youngest son:

Re-read Luke 15:11-16

• In what part of your life, past or present, have you seen yourself as the youngest son?
• Where/when have you desired a semblance of identity apart from your family or community? What prompted this desire?

Read Luke 15:17-24

• If you were the youngest, how would you have felt about returning home? Would you have any worries or concerns?
• What response do you have to the words honour and shame?

Now think about the oldest son:

Read Luke 13:25-30

• In what part of your life, past or present, have you seen yourself as the oldest son?
• What should the right heart condition be in ourselves when faced with challenging relational situations?
• We all can feel jealous and envious at times. What do these kinds of feelings produce in our hearts?
• Is there another more excellent way to look at such situations if we take our time to think instead of react, even when our feelings are completely justified?

Read Luke 15:31-32

• In what part of your life, past or present, have you seen yourself as the father?
• What does the father in this story reveal to us about the heart of Christ?
• If we, through faith, are constantly being made like Christ (sanctified), What does the condition of the father’s heart in this story tell us about how our heart should be postured?