Opening Statement
The following Introduction will be included in our Discussion Guides periodically. It should help set expectations for the Life Group gathering. The statement should be read by a Life Group Leader. Leaders may also refer back to it and read it again when someone joins the Group for the first time.
“Welcome to Life Group! Our goal is to be a small group where anyone can belong, believe, and become the people that God made us to be. We want to grow as followers of Jesus together.
With these goals in mind, we’d like to keep our conversation focused on our personal lives, our discussion material, and on how God is teaching us to follow Him. Sharing is encouraged. We want to hear from everyone; however, you can choose to pass on answering a question if you’d like. Please be mindful of the time, so that everyone has equal opportunities to share, listen, and learn. As a Life Group Leader, I will do my best to guide the conversation.
Let’s open our Life Group in prayer, and ask God to be with us tonight.”
Main Thought
Like the prodigal son, we’ve all had moments in life we’ve wanted to keep hidden—parts of our story, our struggles, or our shame. Maybe it was a failure, a bad decision, or something we felt too embarrassed to talk about. Shame makes us isolate, perform, or pretend. But the good news is that God doesn’t wait for us to get it all together. He meets us right where we are. In Jesus’ story, the son totally wrecked his life and came home expecting judgment, but instead, the father ran to him, wrapped him in love and grace, and threw a celebration. He didn’t shame him, instead he restored him. The story of the prodigal son reminds us that our Heavenly Father is always ready to run toward us with compassion, not condemnation. His house, spiritually and relationally, is meant to be a safe place where we can stop hiding, be fully loved and be completely free.
Main Passages
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.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘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 15:17-24
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
- Proverbs 28:1328 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
- Matthew 11:28–30There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
- Romans 8:1
Discussion Questions
What stood out to you from the main thought or the main scriptures?
Why do you think people (ourselves included) often believe hiding things will protect us or help us? What does God’s word say we will actually find when we bring things into the light instead?
What can we do to help make our homes, friendships, or this group feel like a safe place for honesty, healing, and grace?