CONNECT
1. If new people have joined your group, take time to introduce yourselves to each other.
2. What idea, theme or topic does God want you to focus on right now?
3. Describe something someone did to help you feel like you belong.

PRAY
Spend a few minutes quieting your hearts and turning your attention toward God. Allow time for people to voice their prayers (open to anyone who wants to chime in), using these prayer prompts as a guide:

God, I thank You for…
God, we pray for Brookwood that…
God, we pray for our community that…
God, we pray that during our time together You would…

Add your own words of prayer and praise.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming.
Henri J.M. Nouwen

I now see that the hands that forgive… must become my own.
Henri J.M. Nouwen

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Memorizing Scripture enables us to carry within us the life-giving, life-shaping words of God at all times in all places. Here’s a verse to memorize based on this week’s teaching:

“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.”
Luke 15:20 (NIV)

STUDY AND DISCUSSION
▶️ Don’t worry about getting to all the questions. That’s not the point. Be thoughtful and prayerful. Let the Holy Spirit guide your reflection and discussion.

▶️ If your group has eight or more people, it might be helpful to break into circles of four or five for greater participation and deeper discussion. When you come back together, invite each group to share a few takeaways from their conversation.

You might have different people read:
15:11-20 (the downward spiral of the younger son)
15:21-24 (the father’s response to the younger son)
15:25-30 (The resentful and self-righteous older son)
15:31-32 (the father’s response to the older son)

The younger son and his father, Luke 15:11-24

1. What might the younger son’s request for his inheritance reveal about his feelings toward his father?

2. How would you describe the younger son’s life after he left home?

3. How did the younger son feel about himself and his father when he came to his senses?

4. How has shame distorted your view of God’s heart? OR—how have you seen shame distort someone else’s view of God’s heart?

5. What do you think the father was feeling when his son was so far away?

6. How do you think God feels when He thinks about you?

7. What does the father do when he sees his son returning?

8. What stands out to you most about the father’s response?

9. When have you experienced God running toward you with grace and delight?

The older son and his father, Luke 15:25-32

10. Who in your world is hurting? How is God calling you to tend to their need?

11. How does the father’s statement everything I have is yours reshape the older brother’s perspective?

12. When have you sensed pride or entitlement creating distance between you and God?

13. What’s a practical way you can guard your heart this week from becoming like the older brother?

14. How do the responses of the younger and older sons reveal different ways of being lost?

15. If you placed yourself inside the story, where would you be and what would you be feeling?

16. Why do you think Jesus ends the story with a celebration?

17. What would it look like to join the party in your current season?

18. What might it look like for you to come home in a fresh way right now?

THE BIG TAKEAWAY
After this week’s lesson, what’s one thought, question or takeaway you’re sitting with right now? Pause and ask God what He wants you to know or think about. Allow time for Him to speak, being sensitive to thoughts that come to mind. Growing often comes by simply making yourself available to God.

PRAY
Invite someone to close your time in prayer.

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.