Session Three Ways to Live R Group Leader Outline Here is a map for your journey through God s Word for this session. These are the primary truths you will be teaching during the session. 1. The parable of the prodigal son is about two estranged sons, not one. (Luke 15:1-) A. The younger brother represents the tax collectors and sinners. (Luke 15:1) B. The older brother represents the Pharisees and scribes. (Luke 15:). Both sons were more concerned with their position relative to their father s wealth rather than their father himself. (Luke 15:1,9-30) 3. People who are younger brothers tend to miss the gospel by chasing self-indulgence. Their motto is I accept myself and it doesn t matter what I do. (Luke 15:1-13) 4. People who are older brothers tend to miss the gospel by trusting in their self-righteousness instead of Jesus. Their motto is I am accepted because of what I do. (Luke 15:9) 5. The prerequisite to qualifying for God s acceptance in the gospel is to realize that you can t. The gospel person s motto is I am accepted because of Jesus; therefore I obey. (Luke 15:17-4) 0
#1 Getting Started After a few minutes of socializing, gather members in groups of 6-8 people in a horseshoe configuration. Make sure everyone has a name tag. Take time to share information pertaining to your class as well as relevant church events. Session OUR GOALS FOR THIS SESSION ARE: GATHERING: Form horseshoe groups of 6-8. BIBLE STUDY Three Ways to Live R Text: Luke 15:1-,1-13,17-4,9-30. To determine whether or not we are estranged from God. To recognize that we may long to know God for what He can give us rather than longing to know Him so we can bring glory to Him. To understand that we obey God because we are accepted by Him LIFE CHANGE. To fully understand God s love for us. To critique our motives for serving Him. To embrace that we do not qualify for God s acceptance of us RIcebreaker 10 minutes Depending on time, choose one or two questions, or answer all three. Go around the group on question 1 and let everyone share. Then go around again on questions and 3. 1. Did you ever want to run away from home? If so, why?. When you were a teenager, what things did you do just so you would feel accepted by an authority figure in your life? Who was that authority figure? # Introduce the Icebreaker Activity. The group members have instructions in their books. After the icebreaker, say something like Being in a right relationship with God demands we consistently examine our motives for serving Him. The enemy can separate us from an intimate relationship with God if he can distract us with self-indulgence or religious activity. Today we will discuss our own motives to determine how we are aligned. 17 1
#3 Pray to begin your time. Ask God to speak to your hearts. Hand out the Prayer/Praise Report. A sample copy is in the back of the book. Ask group members to write down prayer requests and praises. Ask the prayer coordinator to collect the reports and make copies for use during the Caring Time. #4 Read Select a group member ahead of time to read aloud these verses from Luke 15. LEARNING FROM THE BIBLE LUKE 15:1- LUKE 15:1-13 #5 Introduction Introduce today s lesson by telling the group of a time when someone in authority expected you to perform well (football coach, parent, teacher, boss, etc.). Describe the anxiety this caused in you. Describe your feelings toward that authority figure prior to performing. 3. What religious activities do some Christians participate in that you think God might consider a waste of time? RBible Study 30-40 minutes The Scripture for this week: 1 All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, This man welcomes sinners and eats with them! 1 The younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me. So he distributed the assets to them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. LUKE 15:17-4 17 When he came to his senses, he said, How many of my father s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands. 0 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. 1 The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I m no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father told his slaves, Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 3 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let s celebrate with a feast, 4 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! So they began to celebrate. 18
#6 Begin Your Teaching Say something like Most followers of Christ think in two categories of living: God s way or man s way, with the gospel in the middle. The message of Jesus is that there are three ways to live: A. Religion I am accepted because of what I do (older brother); B. Irreligion I accept myself and it doesn t matter what I do (prodigal son); C. Living the gospel I am accepted because of Jesus; therefore I obey. 1 LUKE 15:9-30 A WORD FROM THE LEADER Write your answers in the spaces provided as the leader teaches. Use extra space to write what God may be saying to you from this story. 9 But he replied to his father, Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him. today s session 1. The parable of the prodigal son is about two estranged sons, not one. (Luke 15:1-) A. The younger brother represents the tax collectors and sinners. (Luke 15:1) B. The older brother represents the Pharisees and scribes. (Luke 15:) What do you think was the younger brother s motive for leaving?. Both sons were more concerned with their relative to their father s wealth rather than their father himself. (Luke 15:1,9-30) Continued on next page According to verse 1, what did the younger son ask for? In verse 9, the older brother attempts to guilt his father. What does he say he has never received? #7 Refer to Luke 5:31-3 and Mark 1:38-40. Say something like Throughout the Gospels, Jesus pursued a relationship with sinners. When questioned about eating with them, His response is telling: The healthy don t need a doctor, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (Luke 5:31b-3). Jesus was quick to point out the elitism and judgment from the Pharisees: Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes, and who want greetings in the marketplaces, the front seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher punishment (Mark 1:38b-40). State points 1, 1a, and 1b. 19 3
#8 Explain Luke 15 consists of three parables, all of which represent things lost and found, and all having the very same point that God cares for people. Together these parables paint a complete picture of the message Jesus was conveying to the group around Him. We know from verses 1- that Jesus is critiquing BOTH tax collectors and sinners AND Pharisees and scribes. The parable of the prodigal son shows that the older brother was just as estranged from the father as the younger brother. Ask the group: What do you think was the younger brother s motive for leaving? #10 Read Have different group members read aloud verses 1 and 9. Ask the group: According to verse 1, what did the younger son ask for? A child asking to get his share of the inheritance early was unheard of. The child would in essence be saying, Dad, I wish you were already dead. This was a serious act of rebellion. The son would have been beaten or worse for such a request. Ask the group: In verse 9, the older brother attempts to guilt his father. What does he say he has never received? LUKE 15:9-30 A WORD FROM THE LEADER Write your answers in the spaces provided as the leader teaches. 9 But he replied to his father, Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him. today s session 1. The parable of the prodigal son is about two estranged sons, not one. (Luke 15:1-) A. The younger brother represents the tax collectors and sinners. (Luke 15:1) #9 Transition Say, One thing is true of both the younger and older son. State point. Use extra space to write what God may be saying to you from this story. B. The older brother represents the Pharisees and scribes. (Luke 15:) What do you think was the younger brother s motive for leaving?. Both sons were more concerned with their position relative to their father s wealth rather than their father himself. (Luke 15:1,9-30) According to verse 1, what did the younger son ask for? In verse 9, the older brother attempts to guilt his father. What does he say he has never received? 19 4
#11 Explain The oldest son was in line to receive two-thirds of the inheritance while the younger brother would have received one-third. The older son s failure to greet his father with a title such as Father or Sir was a great insult to the father s dignity. But he received only grace from his father. 3. People who are younger brothers tend to miss the gospel by chasing -. self indulgence Their motto is I accept myself and it doesn t matter what I do. (Luke 15:1-13) Why do you think irreligiousness blinds us to the gospel? 4. People who are older brothers tend to miss the gospel by trusting in their - self righteousness instead of Jesus. Their motto is I am accepted because of what I do. (Luke 15:9) How does believing we are accepted only through our acts of obedience blind us to the gospel? 5. The prerequisite to qualifying for God s acceptance in the gospel is to realize that. The gospel person s motto is I am accepted because of ; therefore I. (Luke 15:17-4) Continued on next page Why do you think we still struggle to obey Jesus with right motives after He proved how much He loved us by dying the most brutal of all deaths? #1 Transition State point 3. Irreligious people usually speak in selfcentered terms. Sin talk often angers them because they believe you don t need to change who you are, you need to accept who you are. They are enablers. Ask the group: Why do you think irreligiousness blinds us to the gospel? State point 4. Religious people frame conversations in terms of morality and doing the right thing. They tend to downplay or deny in practice the fact that God accepts us because of faith in Jesus and not because of our moral or religious performance. They are judgmental. Ask the group: How does believing we are accepted only through our acts of obedience blind us to the gospel? 0 5
Notes: #13 Transition State point 5. There is one motive for obeying God that pleases Him. It begins with a realization that God accepts us as we are. When we are able to embrace that truth, we will want to obey Him out of love. Gospel people don t look down on or judge others. They understand they are not morally superior to anyone. But they are also not enablers of sin. They see the price God paid to purchase our acceptance. They display a humble confidence and trust only in Jesus for acceptance. 3. People who are younger brothers tend to miss the gospel by chasing -. Their motto is I accept myself and it doesn t matter what I do. (Luke 15:1-13) Why do you think irreligiousness blinds us to the gospel? 4. People who are older brothers tend to miss the gospel by trusting in their - instead of Jesus. Their motto is I am accepted because of what I do. (Luke 15:9) How does believing we are accepted only through our acts of obedience blind us to the gospel? #14 Ask the group: Why do you think we still struggle to obey Jesus with right motives after He proved how much He loved us by dying the most brutal of all deaths? 5. The prerequisite to qualifying for God s acceptance in the gospel is to realize that you. can t The gospel person s motto is I am accepted because of ; Jesus therefore I. obey (Luke 15:17-4) Why do you think we still struggle to obey Jesus with right motives after He proved how much He loved us by dying the most brutal of all deaths? 0 6
#15 Ask members to form horseshoe clusters and discuss the questions under Learning from the Story. Group members will use the questions to apply the lessons of the text to their own lives. As the groups discuss these questions, walk around, interact with them, and jot down some of their key thoughts. Remain in groups of 6-8 people, in a horseshoe configuration. What is God teaching you from this story? Remain in groups of 6-8 people, in a horseshoe configuration. learning from the story 1. Why do you think the father gave the younger son his part of the inheritance when he requested it?. According to verse 0, the father ran to his son and kissed him. This was a violation of an elderly Jewish man s dignity. What does this father s elation tell us about God s reaction to us when we come home? 3. Why do you think some followers of Christ believe that God will love them only if they work hard for Him and never rebel against Him? 4. Do you think people sometimes confuse coming back to church with coming back to Christ? Explain. 5. Who are you praying will come to their senses and return to Christ? What will the party you throw for them look like? RCaring Time Continued on next page 10 minutes This is the time to develop and express your caring for each other. Begin by discussing this question: Would you consider yourself religious, irreligious, or living the gospel? #16 Wrap After your allotted time, regain the large group s attention and recap what you discussed during this session 1. There are three ways to live: A. Religion I am accepted because of what I do. B. Irreligion I accept myself and it doesn t matter what I do. C. Living the gospel I am accepted because of Jesus; therefore I obey.. When we understand our motives for obeying, we will know which of the three categories we are living in. 3. If we find that we fall into either of the first two categories being religious or irreligious God is waiting to welcome us back into right relationship with Him. 1 7
#17 Pray Hand out the Prayer/ Praise Report to the entire group. Ask each subgroup to participate in praying sentence prayers, allowing each person to pray aloud. Encourage them to pray for the empty chair. Pray specifically for God to guide you to someone to bring next week to fill that chair. * Remember, if someone is uncomfortable with praying aloud, encourage him or her to pray silently, and then say Amen so the next person will know when to start. Close in a corporate prayer after allowing a sufficient amount of time for prayer in subgroups. Say, Next week we ll be talking about the price Christ paid so that we could be reconciled with God. Remain in groups of 6-8 people, in a horseshoe configuration. What is God teaching you from this story? Remain in groups of 6-8 people, in a horseshoe configuration. learning from the story 1. Why do you think the father gave the younger son his part of the inheritance when he requested it?. According to verse 0, the father ran to his son and kissed him. This was a violation of an elderly Jewish man s dignity. What does this father s elation tell us about God s reaction to us when we come home? 3. Why do you think some followers of Christ believe that God will love them only if they work hard for Him and never rebel against Him? 4. Do you think people sometimes confuse coming back to church with coming back to Christ? Explain. 5. Who are you praying will come to their senses and return to Christ? What will the party you throw for them look like? RCaring Time 10 minutes This is the time to develop and express your caring for each other. Begin by discussing this question: Would you consider yourself religious, irreligious, or living the gospel? 1 8
Notes: Pray that the person seated to your right will always be able to ascertain which of these three categories he or she is living in and be willing to return to right relationship with God today if necessary. Also remember the concerns shared on the Prayer/Praise report. Include prayer for the empty chair. If you would like to pray silently, say Amen when you have finished your prayer so the next person will know when to start. RReference Notes Use these notes to gain further understanding of the text as you study on your own: Luke 15:1-13 It was unusual, but not unheard of, for a father to settle his estate before his death. Luke 15:17-4 It took extreme poverty and hunger to prompt the younger son to come to his senses and realize that, in spite of all he had done, the correct course of action was to return and become one of his father s hired hands. To do so, however, it would be necessary to confess that he had sinned greatly and was not worthy to be called his son. Luke 15:0-3 That the father saw his son coming from a long way off indicates that he habitually looked for his return. Luke 15:4 The father s celebratory attitude depicts the way in which God the Father receives repentant sinners. This contrasts with the contempt the Pharisees and scribes displayed for sinners who came to Jesus (v. ). Luke 15:9-30 Unlike the father s positive attitude, the older brother focused on his brother s sinfulness rather than his newfound repentance. Jesus representation of the religious leaders in the character of the older brother was a scathing rebuke of their self-righteousness. 9
#18 Remind participants of the daily Scripture readings for the week found on page 3 of their member book. Reflecting on the Truth RAs you spend time with God this week, use this as a guide to reflect on the truth. READINGS REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS Monday Mark 1:38-40 What is your motive for serving Matthew 6:1-5 God s kingdom? Tuesday Luke Do you ever find yourself ask- 15:1 ing God for extraordinary things that might pull you away from Him? What are those things? Wednesday Luke 15:13-18 James 1:17 How aware are you that God is the One (rather than your hard work) who provides all of your needs? Thursday Luke How has the enemy tried to 15:19-1 convince you that you are no longer worthy to be part of God's family? Friday Luke What emotions tend to make you 15:5-30 want to walk away from God? Saturday Luke Have you been jealous of other 15:31-3 followers of Christ and the blessings God has given them? Why? Sunday Luke Imagine that you have been far 15:18-4 from God and are now coming back to Him. What would you Rbe feeling? 3 30
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notes 1. Ideas adapted from Timothy Keller s The Prodigal God (New York: Penguin Group, 008), 10. 33