Stories Jesus Told: The Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, and The Lost Sons

Opening Prayer:

What is known as the parable of the Prodigal Son is in Luke 15:11-32. Have different people

share in the reading of this parable.

● Does anyone know what the word “prodigal” means? After people have responded have

someone look it up.

Read Luke 15:1-2.

● Why did Jesus tell this parable and the two parables that precede it?

● Who are the type of people that cause you to grumble?

Read 15:3-10.

● What are some of the things that the three parables of Luke 15 share?

● One of the things all three parables share is that something or someone is lost. What

does it mean for a person to be “lost?”

● How is the younger son lost? How is the older son lost?

● What does it mean for a person to be “found?”

● Repentance is present in all three parables of Luke 15. What comes to your mind when

you think of “repentance?”

● How does Jesus portray repentance given the responses of the shepherd, woman and

father in these parables?

● What do these parables suggest about who God is, especially vv. 31 and 32?

Henri Nouwen was a Catholic priest who wrote a well-known book called “The Return of the

Prodigal Son.” This is a prayer he wrote based on the parable. Close with this:

"Lord, I have wandered far from You, and my heart has been restless.

Like the younger son, I have squandered my gifts in distant countries and looked for love

in places where it cannot be found.

Yet, You do not wait for me to become perfect. You see me while I am still a long way off.

You run to meet me. You do not hold my sins against me, but You clasp me in your arms

and cover me with your love.

Give me the courage to let myself be found. Heal my wounds, clothe me in Your grace,

and let me feast at Your table. Amen."