The Prodigal son is one of the most well known and oft preached stories of Christ. It is a powerful message of what it means to be a child of God. Let’s compare the two sons in the story.

1. Why do you think the younger made the request in Luke 15:12?

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2. While the younger son lived with his father, how satisfied was he? Contrast this with how he ended up when he left his father (Luke 15:13).

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3. How is this like the way most people live?

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It wasn’t until the prodigal son hit bottom that he saw his need to return to his father. This is also like most people. Often they have to hit bottom before they realise they need God. Sometimes when we start praying for people to be saved they seem to go further away from God. But what’s actually happening is that they are being prepared by the Holy Spirit to see their need for God’s forgiveness.

One of the issues that probably led to the younger son leaving his father, was his unwillingness to serve his father.

4. As Christians, how important it is to serve God?

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5. As Christians, how important is it to serve others? (Note: Matt. 20:28; Luke 17:8)

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6. According to Ephesians 2:10, what is our purpose as Christians?

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7. By Luke 15:17 how had the younger son’s attitude changed?

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8. What was the younger son prepared to do in order to be accepted by his father? (Luke 15:18-19) Should we at any stage have this same attitude?

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9. Based on Luke 15:20 how had the father been feeling about his son and his absence?

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The father immediately did several things for his son. He ordered a robe (symbolic of covering and protection), a ring (symbolic of authority), and sandals (symbolic of worthiness and freedom). He then ordered the best fattened calf to be prepared for a feast (Luke 15:22-23).

10. How does this describe what the Father has done for us when we became Christians?

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Of course the older son was not impressed. This was despite the father giving him his share of the inheritance along with the younger son (Luke 15:12), and his still enjoying the benefits of living with his father. We can contrast the two sons as follows:

From the story of the prodigal son we see who we are in Christ. We are both sons and servants of God. We are prepared to serve God willingly. Just as the two sons of the father discovered they could have enjoyed their inheritance without even leaving their father and just willingly serving him.

11. How does Romans 8:15-17 sum up our relationship with God?

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The older son also displayed a pathetic attitude toward his returning brother. We must recognise that nothing is scarce with our Father and that just because He blesses or honours one of our brothers or sisters doesn’t mean He doesn’t love us or want to bless us. Its interesting to consider that father gave away all he had (Lk. 15:12), yet by the time his younger son returned he had it all (and probably more) back (Note: Proverbs 11:24-25).