The Parable of the Prodigal Son: Part 1 (The Younger Son)
This week we’re uncovering part 1 of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, focused on the story of the YOUNGER SON found in Luke 15:11-24. Check out this video as we learn about this week’s Bible study (also available as a podcast!).
Jesus was a masterful storyteller. No matter who He spoke to, His parables captured His listener’s imagination in a way that elicited a response. But there’s one parable that stands out, for Jesus’ audience was not only diverse, it was polarized. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus told a story of a father and his two sons. Through these characters, Jesus was able to powerfully relate to both the saint and the sinner who listened. This parable is unique in that Jesus communicated more than one message. In order to capture its entirety, we’ll spend the next two weeks at the feet of Jesus relating to each of the two sons in this parable and observing how the father (who illustrates God) responded to each son.
Week 1 - the younger son (Luke 15:11-24)
Week 2 - the older son (Luke 15:25-32)
The story of the younger son beautifully shows God’s heart for the lost and His joy over repentant sinners. If you’ve ever felt God couldn’t possibly love you because of past sin, make sure you join us this week!
DAY 1 - READ AND REFLECT
Let’s start by reading the story of the younger son in the Parable of the Prodigal Son in, Luke 15:11-24. Re-read the passage, preferably in a different translation to get a clearer perspective on what the passage is communicating.
Keep in mind a parable is a story that parallels a message Jesus was trying to communicate, which would've been more easily understood by the original audience. Without a deep connection to Jewish culture, Jesus’ point is often lost on us. To understand the heart of Jesus’ parables, ask the following questions, and watch as the parables of Jesus come to life!
Who is the audience and how would the original hearer have heard this?
What cultural reference points would the original hearer have known that I miss?
Does the parable have characters and how are they described?
Does the parable have an unexpected ending that highlights the point Jesus was trying to make?
If Jesus were to make this point today, what parable might He tell?
Before we dive into our study together, let’s find out to whom Jesus told this parable. Crowds constantly gathered to listen to Jesus, but those most drawn to Him may surprise you. Read Luke 15:1-2 in several Bible translations. What kind of people did Jesus attract? Describe the scene the AUTHOR, Luke, portrayed of those listening to Jesus.
At that time in HISTORY, no one liked tax collectors, that is except for Jesus. Jewish tax collectors, employed by the Roman government, would extort steep taxes from their own people to pay off Rome while becoming rich off the excess. They were despised, rejected, seen as traitors, and became a symbol for the worst kind of people (Matthew 5:46). Read Mark 2:15. Why do you think many tax collectors were following Jesus?
Are sinners and outcasts drawn to you?
TIP: As you read this parable over the next two weeks consider each of the three characters as there is much to learn from each. Keep in mind that the father in this parable is an illustration of the nature of God.
DAY 2 - THE PRODIGAL SON (Luke 15:11-16)
The parables Jesus told often shocked His listeners. The story never went quite as one expected. When it comes to shock value, the Parable of the Prodigal Son does not disappoint.
The younger son was likely a teenager (he was not married) when he asked his father for his share of the inheritance. Such a request before his father's death was unusual and equivalent to wishing his father was dead. In this patriarchal society, where honoring the head of the household was esteemed and pursued, the son’s request was disrespectful and disgraced the father. The son essentially told his father, “I want your stuff, but I don’t want you.” Have your actions ever communicated this toward God?
Perhaps even more shocking than the son's unusual request is that the father actually gave it to him! He divided his assets and gave his younger son one-third of his estate (the oldest son received a double portion; Deuteronomy 21:17). At that point in HISTORY in the ancient Middle East, not only would the father have been advised against doing this, he would’ve been expected to severely discipline his son and drive him out of the family! Instead, the father endured heartache and shame and granted his son's request to go his own way. Why do you think the father let his son go? Why does God let us choose to go our own way?
Young, wealthy, and free, the prodigal (wasteful) son gathered all he had and took off down the road of self-discovery with no intention of turning back. READ Luke 15:13 in several different Bible translations. How is his new lifestyle described?
Broke and nothing left to his name, this young Jewish man found degrading work feeding pigs, the worst of the unclean animals (Leviticus 11:7-8). Adding insult to injury, the pigs were better off than he was! They were fed and he was starving, longing to eat their food. The “fleeting pleasure of sin” had long worn off and this was not the life of freedom he had imagined (Hebrews 11:25, CSB). Read John 8:34 and Romans 6:23. Can you relate to the younger son? Has sin ever promised you happiness, but brought bondage and destruction, leaving you at your worst?
DAY 3 - REPENTANCE (Luke 15:17-19)
Why is it that we often hit rock bottom before we turn to God? The prodigal son sought worldly happiness and ended up destitute, but it was there in his helpless and hopeless condition that he finally “came to his senses” and remembering his father's goodness, decided to return home (Luke 15:17, CSB). Read Romans 2:4. Where should the goodness of God lead you?
True repentance is more than simply feeling bad, it’s changing your mind and turning to the only One who can save you - Jesus. Had the prodigal not repented he would’ve been burdened by guilt and shame. Read 2 Corinthians 7:10. What is the difference between godly grief and worldly grief? What can stand in the way of worldly sorrow leading to repentance?
Knowing he was no longer worthy to be called his son, the prodigal confessed his sin against his father and God (“Heaven”). He returned home with absolutely nothing to offer, relying solely on the mercy of his father. Sometimes we think we need to clean up our act before we turn to God, but only Jesus can make us clean and overcome sin in our lives!
Read 1 John 1:9. How does the prodigal, known for 2000 years as the worst kind of sinner, help you know that none of your past sin is too big for God to forgive and cleanse you?
Read Luke 5:31-32. Why are the sick the only ones who will go to a doctor? Why is this a good analogy for sinners coming to Jesus?
Throughout HISTORY, Jesus’ teachings have turned the world’s values upside down. The prodigal discovered that everything he once valued led to destruction, and he turned back in repentance. In the first four beatitudes, Jesus described a repentant heart that’s been awakened by God’s Spirit. Read Matthew 5:3-6 and notice the words used:
Poor in spirit - Acknowledged helplessness outside of God’s grace
Mourn - Suffered the consequences of sin and longed for God’s forgiveness
Humble - Surrendered control and trust in God's authority
Hunger and Thirst - Desire to be filled with righteousness that can only come from God
Do you see evidence of these beatitudes in the prodigal's life? How about in yours?
Further Reflection: If you have a study Bible, read the commentary notes for these Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-6 for a better understanding of what Jesus taught.
DAY 4 - THE FATHER (Luke 15:20-22)
After all he had done to insult and humiliate his father, what would the father's reaction be when his prodigal son returned home? Remember, the father in this parable illustrates God and his response is nothing short of stunning.
The father saw his younger son while he was “still a long way off.” Had the father been looking for his lost son to return? Did he do this often? We don’t know for sure, but CONTEXT can help us gain a better understanding of the character of God. In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables of a lost item being found. Read Luke 15:1-20. How is the seeker in the parable of the lost son different than the first two parables?
The sheep and the coin could not find their way back on their own, but God gave man a will of his own. He will not force us to repent or have a relationship with Him even though we know what He desires. Read 1 Timothy 2:3-4 and 2 Peter 3:9. What does God desire? Why doesn’t God, in His omnipotence (unlimited power), force us to repentance?
The father didn’t wait for his son to clean up or beg for forgiveness before he shamelessly raced to embrace his son. At that point in HISTORY, it was undignified for an older Jewish man to run! Partway through his son’s confession, his father stopped him. What the father did next, would show his son exactly who he was. In Luke 15:22, the father bestowed his son with gifts of significant meaning (Genesis 41:42):
Robe - accepted by the father
Ring - restored standing in the family
Sandals - granted full privileges of a son
God doesn’t forgive halfway. Repentance brings full acceptance as a member of God’s family. The prodigal thought he could become a slave and earn his father’s forgiveness, but the father freely forgave him and restored his full status as his son. Forgiveness cannot be earned. Read Psalm 103:8-13. What do you learn about the character of God and forgiveness? If you’ve not confessed your sin and asked for God’s forgiveness, what’s stopping you?
DAY 5 - THE CELEBRATION (Luke 15:23-24)
If you were to survey 100 people and ask them “what is God all about?” what do you imagine they’d say? If these were faith-filled believers, they may speak to God’s heart for restoration and reconciliation, as we’ve seen so far this week. But how many would say God is in the business of celebration? By exploring CONTEXT within Luke chapter 15, we see that Jesus told three parables about a lost item that is found, none of which ended after reconciliation. Read Luke 15:3-24. What happened after the lost item was found in each parable?
By telling three back-to-back parables, Jesus wants us to see God’s joy when the lost are found. Repentance leading to reconciliation is a reason to celebrate! Don’t you love that the party in this parable included a feast that could feed the whole village! Meat was expensive and rare and the fattened calf was kept for special occasions, like weddings. Compare the joy of the father with the contempt of the religious Pharisees back in verse 2, when a lost sinner approaches the throne of grace. What is your response to sinners that receive God’s unmerited mercy?
Human nature rebels against being told there is only ONE way to life with God the Father in Heaven. Read John 14:6. If you could talk to the prodigal son today, what do you think he would say about this verse? What do you have to say about it?
Jesus is the Way - he went his own way and ended up lost.
Jesus is the Truth - he believed the lie that sin leads to happiness.
Jesus is the Life - he was dead in his sin, now alive in Christ.
Outside of Christ, we are all spiritually dead. Like the prodigal, we must choose which path we’ll take - the one leading to death and destruction or life and celebration? For additional CONTEXT surrounding a new life in Christ, read the following verses, and write down what you learn:
John 5:24
Romans 6:12-14
Ephesians 2:1-5
If you haven’t yet chosen life in Christ, rest assured that God is patiently and eagerly waiting to greet you with open arms and there will be a joyous celebration in Heaven when you do!
Written by: Sarah West
List of Parables
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