Luke 15:11-20

So he got up and went to his father. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him.” —Luke 15:20

Commentary:

The parable Jesus told of the lost (or prodigal) son is familiar to many people. It depicts the great love, forgiveness, and compassion God has for us. The father represents God, and the son represents rebellious humanity. It is the story of a younger son who demanded his portion of his father’s estate. The son then left home and lost everything he had. When he was about to sink to his lowest point, he decided to return home to his father as a hired servant. As the son approached home, his father saw him, had compassion for him, ran to him, and embraced and kissed him. The son apologized to his father and asked that he be hired as a servant. Because of his great love for his son, and despite the pain and disappointment brought to him by his son, the father restored him to the status of a son and celebrated his return home.

Questions to Discuss:

How does it make you feel to disappoint a loved one?

When have you needed to be shown love and compassion?

What emotions have you experienced when a relationship with a loved one has been restored?