Read
The Parable of the Lost Son [or Daughter!]
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one
said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided
his property between them.13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off
for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14
After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole
country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to
a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He
longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no
one gave him anything.17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired
servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set
out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against
heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make
me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled
with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and
kissed him.21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against
you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and
put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring
the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this
son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they
began to celebrate. – Luke 15:11-24 (I’ve edited out the part about the older
brother just because it’s not our focus right now.)
A few thoughts:
It’s amazing how this story never loses its power to engage us. It’s such a heartfelt and personal story that we can all relate to in different ways. I’ve occasionally used it as a way to share what God is like with someone who doesn’t yet know him – you can’t argue with a beautiful story!
But for many of us, in our own families, or families we’re connected to, we haven’t yet got to that happy ending that we yearn for. Our son or our daughter, our old friend or our elderly aunt, hasn’t yet come back into God’s family of love and acceptance even though they once knew him and loved
him.
Listen
Martin shared his thoughts from the story on Sunday (It’s less than 10 mins!):
A Few Questions:
1. Who are the key ‘lost people’ in my life? Those who have known God’s love but are presently distant from him
2. When someone chooses to come back to God, is it their own decision or is it God’s decision? (Listen to Martin’s very short talk to help you think this through).
3. How much do we need to ‘engineer’ our prodigal’s return to God?
4. Are they most likely to come back to the church they were brought up in or elsewhere?
The documents Dorothy mentioned:
Phil Nox article: https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/men-of-faith-are-rising-up
Evangelical Alliance research: https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/changing-church/changing-church-2025
Bible Society research: https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/research/quiet-revival
