The Relentless Grace of God
Series: Kingdom Stories for Everyday Life
Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” - Luke 15:2

What gave Pharisees joy:
1. The _______________ of ___________ at banquets.
2. To _______________ the ______________ to a select few.
3. To ______________ on the ________________________.

vv3-9: The Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin
• Both stories are describing heaven’s ___________ at the ______________ and _________________ of a sinner.
• While the Pharisees were in agreement about caring about __________________, God cared about ________________.

vv11-32: Parable of the Lost Son
The Younger Son:
• There is no attempt to _________________ the seriousness of his __________.
• As huge as his sins were, so was his __________________.
• Repentance __________ with _____________ things as they really are.
• It’s _______________ in his deep sense of __________________.

The Father depicts the ____________ of the loving Father, who _______________ for the ___________ of the son, who willingly _____________ forgiveness, and who _____________ in his return.

The Older Son represents the Pharisees as they exhibit the sin of ___________________________.

God’s grace is ______________ on ______________ people who _____________ on it.
• There is no ______________ to God’s _________________ searching.
• Jesus is the ________________ of God’s ______________ __________.

TALK IT OVER

Start talking.
• Which of the three parables (lost sheep, lost coin, lost son) has impacted you most in the past? Why?
• Have you ever lost something valuable and searched frantically for it? What did that experience feel like?
• Why do you think stories are such a powerful way to teach truth?

Start thinking:
• The Pharisees grumbled that Jesus welcomed sinners. Why does grace often offend religious people?
• In the first two parables, heaven rejoices over repentance. Why is repentance such a big deal to God?
• What stands out to you about the father’s actions when the younger son returns?
• Why do you think Jesus ends the trilogy focusing on the older brother?
• How does the older brother misunderstand his relationship with the father?
• What does this chapter teach us about the difference between earning and receiving?

Start Sharing:
• Do you relate more to the younger son (rebellion) or the older son (self-righteousness)? Why?
• Have you ever struggled to celebrate when someone else received grace?
• Where might subtle self-righteousness show up in your life?
• Is there an area where you need to “come to your senses” and return to the Father?
• Have you experienced a season where God’s grace felt like “the Big Relief”? What happened?

Start Praying:
• Ask God to reveal any pride or resentment that keeps you from rejoicing in His grace.
• Thank Him for relentlessly pursuing you.
• Pray for someone in your life who seems far from God — that they would “come home.”
• Ask God to help you reflect the Father’s heart toward others.

Start Doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week
• Reach out this week to someone who may feel spiritually distant or unworthy.
• Practice celebrating someone else’s spiritual growth or restoration.
• Identify one step of repentance you need to take — and take it.
• Spend time thanking God specifically for ways His grace has restored you.