A BIBLICAL STUDY                                                                     Teachings and Illustrations of Christ

Luke 15: 11-32

 

THE PRODIGAL

 

     Sinning against heaven

 

          F.Y.I.  CORNER

1.

PRODIGAL - word never mentioned in the Bible;  Def: wastefully or recklessly extravagant;  giving or yielding profusely. (Ran.House Dict.)

 

2.

RIOTOUS  -  (Gr. 811) dissolutely; unsavedness: profligacy, excess, riot.  (Prov. 28:7)

3.

FAIN - (Gr. 1937) to set the heart upon; to long for, covet, desire.

4.

ROBE - (Gr. 4749) equipment, a “stole” or long fitting gown (as a mark of dignity.)

5.

COMPASSION - (Gr. 4697) to have the bowels yearn;  feel sympathy, to pity.


 

“IN THY SIGHT AM NO MORE WORTHY TO BE CALLED THY SON”

       


LUKE 15

1.        In this parable of Jesus, what did the younger of two sons ask of his father?  (15:12)                                                                                     

2.        Where did the young son go? (15:13)                                                                                                                                      

·         What did he do with all his father gave him?                                                                                                            “...he ___________ his substance on ____________ living.”                                                                                                        

3.        What took place after the son had spent everything?  (15:14)                                                                                             

4.        How did the son first try to resolve the problem?  (15:15)                                                                                                                   

5.        While in his low estate, what did the young son come to realize?   (15: 17-19)                   

 

6.  Describe the re-union between father and son:  (15:20)                                                                                                                                “...but when he was yet a _______  ______  _____, his father saw him, and had ______________...”                                      

7.  What did the father give the son?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     1)  Vs. 22                                   


 

2)  Vs. 23

                                               

8.        What was the celebration?  (15:24)                         

                       

9.        Why was the older son angry with his father?  (15:28-30)

                                                                                               

10.     What was the father’s response?  (15:31-32)

 

 

“I Will Have Compassion on Whom I Will Have Compassion”

 

 

Contemporary Christians use this parable to teach that God is waiting for people to come to Him.  Is this true? Let’s study the following key elements:

1.        Why were they both called “sons”?      Ro. 8:17, 14                                                                                             

2.        “His living” has been translated “inheritance,” but it literally means life (livelihood; imp. inheritance). Why is this important?    Ps. 16:5;  John 14:6                                                                                        

3.        What actually is “riotous living”?     Prov. 28:5;  John 8:34                                                            

4.        Why are we told there was a “famine in the land”?   Amos 8:11;  John 6:32-35                                             

5.        Why was the son longing for pig food?     Jonah 2:2;  Prov. 26:11                                                               

6.        What is “sinning against heaven”?    II Sam. 12:13;  24:10;  Ps. 51:4                                                          

7.        Would the father be compassionate to all that walked to his gate?                                                                Ps. 86:15;  Ps. 111:4;  Ro. 9:15                                                                                                     

8.        Why was the son described as “was dead but now is alive”?  Eph. 2:1-5                                                       

9.        Who does the older son represent?  Heb.11:24-25;  Matt. 20:1-16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

What can we conclude about this teaching?

A)     This is a parable teaching God’s mercy and compassion to the elect, his sons.

B)      Only a son of God can realize the truth of the Gospel and that he is not worthy.

C)      God gives mercy when/how He chooses.

 

 


   VERSE of the WEEK

 

“Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil  in thy sight:                                                                                          that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest,                                                                                                                   and be clear when thou judgest.”                                                                                                                                               -Psalm 51:4

 

 

 

SUGGESTION FOR PRAYER

·         Thank the lord for the compassion he gives to his sons.

·         Pray that we might be delivered from our low estate and receive God’s mercy.