Lost and Found

Luke 15 Jesus tells parables to explain the importance of finding what is lost. He ends with the story of the prodigal son, whose father recklessly pursues him and celebrates his homecoming. 

Five insights of the parable of the prodigal son

Sometimes you just have to leave things in God’s hands

  • Luke 15:12 “And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.”
  • The father allowed his son to go; there was tension and heartache in this
  • Sometimes we have to let something go, pray and trust God

God will often do the hardest work in our lives in the hardest places

  • Luke 15:14-16 “And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate…”
  • Sin takes us further than we want to go, keeps us longer than we want to stay and costs more than we want to pay
  • The hardest work will often make our hearts the softest. Nothing makes us empathetic like living through situations

Don’t stay in the mud

  • Luke 15:17-18 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father.”
  • The son came to himself; he had a wake up call: “I’m the problem”
  • The son didn’t decide to go later; he arose and went immediately to his father; he repented of his actions, his will, his aspirations and then his desires were changed.

He is recklessly running after you

  • Luke 15:20-23 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion,and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.”
  • This is a picture of God’s reckless love; running, forgiving, embracing and grace for you

God’s love is for all of us

  • Luke 15:31-32 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”
  • This is a story of two brothers, both of whom the father calls son and gives a share of his inheritance 
  • There is hope for you, no matter who you are and where you’ve been

Facilitating Discussion

  1. Who can you relate to in Jesus’ parables of Luke 15? 
  2. How have you experienced the love of Father God like what is described in the parable of the prodigal?