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Service Resources

Luke 15:25-32

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

MAIN IDEA

Right living motivated by our position as
God’s children leads to life with him and joy. 

GOING DEEPER
Questions from this weeks message.

1.  What insight, principle or observation from this week’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye opening or troubling?  Please explain. 

2.  In your family were you known as the wild child or the rule follower? 

3. Read Luke 15:1-24. What is similar in these three parables? What is different?

4. Read Luke 15:25-31. In the third story there is a twist, considering Jesus audience, what message do you think he was trying to get across?

5. In what ways, if any, do you relate to this elder son. The elder brothers’ good life (obedience) led him to feel entitled to his Fathers stuff rather than receiving it as a gift. Why does entitlement kill joy and leave us angry…see the attitude of the brother?

6.  Avoiding sin is a way to avoid Jesus. How could good works and a moral life lead us away from Jesus? 

7. In what ways have you been like the elder brother, bargaining with God, using your good works as leverage? Why is anger at God for what he does or doesn’t do a sign of entitlement and us falling for the elder brother syndrome? How has it played out in your life?

8. How does gratitude fight entitlement and spiritual pride? What are some silly and small things that you are finding yourself thankful for? How are you doing with finding 3-5-7 things to be thankful for and how is it impacting you?

9.  Sharing what God has given us is a great way to fight spiritual pride and entitlement. The elder brother was not willing to go looking for his brother or share his inheritance. Who are the 4 people you are praying for and looking to share your faith with?

10. Pray for each other.

SUMMARY POINTS
  • Imperfect people ARE allowed in!

  • God Pleasing Spirituality is available to everyone, but it begins with repentance.

  • Both sons were lost
    Both sons tried to find happiness apart from relationship with the Father. 

  • “there was a black, wordless conviction in him that the way to avoid Jesus was to avoid sin." - Hazel Motes from “Wise Blood”

  • “The main barrier between Pharisees and God is not their sins, but their damnable good works.” - Timothy Keller

  • When our right living is not motivated by who we are as sons and daughters, it quickly becomes a way to earn our salvation and control God. 

  • Entitlement leave us angry.
    Entitlement keeps us from grace. 

  • The sin of pride and self-righteousness keep us from the Jesus. 

  • Right living motivated by our position as God’s children leads to life with him and joy.