Break the ice
What is a secret from your childhood?
Small group questions
- Do you think it is easier to forgive yourself or other people? Why?
- Read Luke 15:11-19. How did the younger son in the story insult his father?
Parable of the Lost Son
11To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
13“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
17“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
- What were the consequences of the younger son’s actions? How would you expect the father to respond to the story?
- Read Luke 15:19-24. Is the father’s response to the younger son in this story similar or different than you would have expected? Why or why not?
19and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
20“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.[1]’
22“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
Translation notes (1)
- 15:21 Some manuscripts add Please take me on as a hired servant.
- What was Jesus’ purpose in telling this story? Who did the father represent? Who did the son represent?
- Has there ever been a time in your life when you have felt like the younger son in this story? What happened?
- Is there something that you currently need to forgive yourself for? If so, what is holding you back?
Moving forward
Take a few minutes to think about what it would look like for you to forgive yourself. Maybe it would look like letting go of the anger that you feel because you have been mad at yourself. Maybe it would look like giving yourself a second chance instead of feeling like you have completely blown it. Maybe it is taking steps to follow a dream that you let go of because you do not believe that you deserve it. After you have had a few minutes to think about a step you all can take to forgive yourself, pray together. Pray that God would give you the boldness to take those steps this week.
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