CALLING THE LosT. LUKE 15:11-24 (KJV) 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: Lesson 3 M_arc~ 17, 2019

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1 M_arc~ 17, 2019 CALLING THE LosT Lesson Scripture: Luke 15 Focus Scripture: Luke 15:11-24 Key Verses: Quickly, bring out a robe- the best one- and put it on him... for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! Luke 15 :22, 24 (NRSV) LUKE 15:11-24 (NRSV) 11 Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 14 LUKE 15:11-24 (KJV) 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance on riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I will perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee. 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

2 22 But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe-the best one-and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate." 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Key Terms Humility - A modest view of one's importance. Humbleness, meekness. Exaltation - The action of elevating someone in rank, power, or character. Inheritance - The acquisition of a possession, condition, or trait from past generations. INTRODUCTION Boys Matter We have heard the sayings, "Black Lives Matter" and "All Lives Matter." But we must recognize too that "Boys Matter." Young boys are often misguided and confused in their attempts to develop into manhood. The lack of male role models and growing parenting, especially by fathers or other male leaders, can red irect the dynamic energy in growing and developing male children into areas that are productive. The lesson today illustrates how the father is responding to the younger son, both at a time of rebellion and later as the son demonstrates a repentant heart and seeks forgiveness. The son's selfawareness of his mistake is apparent and expected, but the father's love is the true lesson. The love of the father is critical in the reconciliation process in this parable as he openly receives his disobedient Positive parenting, son. The father not only is able to restore the boy's self-esteem, he models what his older especially by fathers or other male leaders, can son would learn later in this same story. A note redirect the dynamic en- for all to refe~ence is how God forg1ves us, ergy in growing and de- and_howwe should also forg1ve others. Veloping male Children up In communities into areas that are pro- where violence is prevalent increases their risks for poor academic outcomes, involvement in organized and random criminal activity, and other deviant behavior. Positive ductive. 15 TELLING THE BIBLE STORY This parable is one of three stories presented to illustrate God's desire to find the lost. However, this story gives an example of what can happen when a young mind is enticed

3 into the adult world much too soon. Although it does not give the age of this wayward son, the reader knows that he is the younger of the two children. He has not seen the world, but recognizes that there are many adventures beyond the safety of his father's home. And despite the son's inexperience, the father honors his request to receive his inheritance prematurely. The son launches out on his own and recklessly spends it all on the frivolities of life. His fortune quickly turns to an impoverished life, and he must settle for the least honorable labor by feeding and eating with swine. The lesson learned is that his father's house offers more to the servants than he was able to receive under his current condition. Ashamed and defeated, he returns home to his loving and forgiving father. The parable presents a parallel of the same forgiveness and unconditional love that God the Father offers his children, even after living a sinful life. There is always room to return to our Father's house. SANK OFA "Herein lies the tragedy of the age: not that men are poor-all men know something of poverty; not that men are wicked-who is good? Not that men are ignorant-what is truth? Nay, but that men know so little of men." - W.E.B. Du Bois (The Souls of Black Folk) volatile years, when occasionally and sometimes, even frequently, they stray from the biblical foundation they have been taught. The 21st century brings great advancements in technology that also increases a child's exposure to the ills of the world. Media outlets have expanded from the limited television channels of the late 2Qth century to hundreds of cable stations, and the vast and limitless information offered through the World Wide Web. With this comes the risk of straying, being lured into deviant behavior and mischief. Children no longer need to wait until their 18th birthday to be exposed to adult content material. They have it at their fingertips in the simple computerized access of their mobile telephones. The struggle of maturity is knowing what maturity looks like. It is easy to observe a child growing in stature, developing adult physical features. But, what tells us that a child is no longer a child? So many times, it is during tests of character, where one has to decide whether to become involved in activities that will lead to their demise, or be the "mature" person and say "no." The other times are when there is a trial, a crisis in life, where the welfare of oneself and the people they care about are at stake. Minorities have frequently faced challenges that question their ability to overcome adversities such as poverty, crime, and inadequate resources. The book of Proverbs, Chapter 22, African Americans have sought verse 6 says to "Train children in the right needed improvements that indicate way, and when old, they will not stray." This equitable and fair access to resources, has been a keystone verse for parenting, which can enhance a young male's to teach children God's ways with the opportunity for a more successful future. hope that they will always remember Men are especially crucial in the equation this when they are old. There is still the of modeling what strong moral values challenge of raising children during those 16

4 along with success looks like. Without a living example to demonstrate this, many boys will not know what it means to be a man. Many will be oblivious to the truth of manhood and believe it lies in callous acts of indifference and even abuse towards the people that should mean the most. The truth can only come through modeling by a father or another adult. CASE STUDY. Washington, DC, Chicago, Baltimore, and other urban communities throughout the country each hold many stories of the young black youth who have been lost to street crime, drugs, and school dropouts, especially young African American boys. These young black males are stereotyped as the lost generation. Black boys are stereotyped and typecast as public nuisances. They are profiled by the police and the general public, without concern that their clothing, age, and mannerisms are frequently shared by their white counterparts. These brothers are frequently forgotten, rejected, and dismissed. Some have witnessed traumatic events in their homes and neighborhoods and left without resources to process the pain and emotional injury, but rather normalize it as a game in which they too could someday be on the losing end. Many positive and successful young black males are not given the same media attention, simply because it does not measure up to breaking news. These boys have good grades, strong support systems, and a nuclear family that is invested for the long haul. Yet, there is still no guarantee that these same boys may not use poor judgment and be tempted into high-risk lifestyles, which lead to misfortune. The black youth of America may do everything right, yet may meet an "everything wrong" outcome. LIFE APPLICATION When looking at more recent early childhood literature from Michael Lamb, professor in the department of psychology at the University of Cambridge, children turned to fathers when they wanted to play and turned to mothers when they were stressed or upset. In the second part of adolescence, teens tend to look to their peers as to who they should be at that time, and look to their parents as to who they will become. The difference found in many studies regarding the outcome of children, is the presence of caring, loving, supportive fathers. 17 Studies show that if a child's father is affectionate, supportive, and involved, he can contribute greatly to the child's cognitive, language, and social development, as well as academic achievement, a strong inner core resource, sense of well-being, good selfesteem, and authenticity. The difference found in many studies regarding the outcome of children, is the presence of caring, loving, supportive

5 fathers. There is also an important relationship that is needed between all people and God, our spiritual father. Humanity needs the loving support and presence of Abba Father through his son, Jesus. We are lost, alone, and vulnerable when we turn away from our Father. He is waiting with open arms for his children to return. Questions.. Discuss the critical meaning behind the son's realization of his mistakes and return to his father. Briefly (3-5 minutes) discuss the feeling one has when something (object) is lost. How does this compare to the potential loss of a child? In pairs of two, discuss a person you personally believe is a lost soul who needs to be reconnected with God. Discuss strategies, and pray for God's direction. CLOSING DEVOTIONS Closing Song: "Open the Eyes of My Heart" by Michael W. Smith Scripture: Listen, children, to a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, For I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, and my mother's favorite, he taught me, and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words, keep my commandments, and live." (Proverbs 4:1-4) Closing Prayer: "The Lord's Prayer" HOME DAILY BIBLE READINGS March 11-March 17 Monday Tuesday Ephesians 2:1-10 (Transformed by Christ Into New Life) Ezekiel 34:11-16 (God Seeks the Scattered People) Wednesday Hosea 11:1-4, 8-9 (God's Compassion for Straying People) Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Luke 3: 12-13; 5:27-32 (Calling Sinners to Repentance) Luke 15:1-10 (Finding the Lost Sheep and Coin) Luke 15:25-32 (Plea for Understanding and Recognition) Luke 15:11-24 (Family Members, Forgiven and Reconciled) 18