The Father’s Unfailing, Transforming Love

The Father’s Unfailing, Transforming Love

In Luke 15, Jesus tells three parables to explain to the religious elite why he is invested in the lives of sinners and outcasts. In vv. 11-31, he chooses a story about a father and two sons to illustrate how the Heavenly Father regards sinners who turn away from their failure. The model of God’s fatherhood in this parable is an inspiration and challenge to fathers who seek to offer their children the same love that God offers to all of us.

1. A father’s love guides his children

Luke 15:11-19

When we fail or become desperate, we turn back to the truth and love we have known before.

2. A father’s love mends what is broken

Luke 15:20

When we own our failure and turn away from it, we all need mercy.

3. A father’s love forgives failure and restores us to who we were meant to be.

Luke 15:21-32

When we fail and feel worthless, what we need is to know that we have not lost our father’s love.

Key verses:

Luke 15: 17-24, New International Version (NIV)

Verses used: Luke 15:1-2, 11-32; John 13:34; John 21:16; Eph. 5:25

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.

Some questions to ponder in your growth groups this week:

1. Which of the three aspects of the Father’s love stood out the strongest for you?

2. Which of these examples of love, as a child, have you experienced the most from your earthly parents?

3. In Luke 15:17, it says the young man came to his senses, and this was the beginning of his restoration. Have you ever had a “come to your senses” moment? How did you feel when that happened?

4. As a parent or grandparent, which area do you need God’s help with the most, to offer the Father’s love to your children? (If you are not yet a parent, share the thing you think you will need the most help with, at the time you do have children.)

5. Share a lesson, if you have one, about a parent or someone who showed you unconditional love when you had failed or needed help.

6. If you have children, or someone in your life that depends on you, what can you do in the weeks ahead to offer them the guidance and love we see modeled in this parable?

7. What is your biggest hurdle to overcome in accepting God’s love?