Main Thought

People often feel distant from God, regardless of their spiritual standing. These people ask, in their own way, this all-important question: ““How do we get closer to God?” Jesus gave us ideas on how to do just that in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. In it, we see that drawing near to God begins with acknowledging our discontent without Him. We must act on our discontent by distancing ourselves from sin and idolatry, which separate us from God. Desperation for God motivates us; from this internal posture of desperation, we become willing to do whatever it takes to draw near to God again. (God, like the Loving Father in the parable, desperately wants us to turn toward Him.) We should respond by drawing near to God daily in His Word, through prayer, and offering our best to serve Him.

Main Passages

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[b] 22 But the father said to his servants,[c] ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
- Luke 15:11-24

Discussion Questions

1. Do you feel like you’re close to God? Why or why not?

2. Some of us feel distant from God overall; others may need God to move in specific areas of their lives. How might you be able to get closer to God?

3. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the Father demonstrates unconditional love and amazing grace. How does that grace make you feel? Do you know anyone that may need to experience the same love and grace?