Luke 15: Bible Study

Read Luke 15

Reflect on these questions

• What stood out to you most after reading this chapter in the Bible?

• Through the Parable of the Prodigal Son (along with places like John 13:9, John 15:5, James 4:6-8 and more), we can reach the following conclusion: “God’s love is offered unconditionally yet experienced conditionally.”

  • Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why or why not?

• The Younger (Prodigal) Son’s actions can be broadly categorized as rebellious. He visibly rejected the Father’s will while living in immorality. Meanwhile, the Older Son’s actions and attitudes can be called self-righteous. He appeared to obey the Father within the confines of traditional morality, yet his motives were selfish and his attitude was prideful and judgmental. Both sons dishonored their Father.

  • Can you see yourself in either one of these two brothers? Do you identify with one brother’s sin more than the other, or both equally? If so, why?

Respond with faith in action

• The hero of the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 is the Loving Father. (Jesus used this character to portray God.) He initiated and invited both his younger, rebellious son and his older, self-righteous son to repent of their ways and enter into a closer relationship with Him.

  • Is there anything you need to change in order to enjoy a closer relationship with God on a personal level? If so, what?

  • Bonus: As we approach Easter on March 31, who can you invite into a relationship with God?

My Christian Calling

Main Thought

A lot of people want to discover their “calling” from God. While the specific details of our lives differ, the call of God for every Christian is the same. God calls us to know Christ. He wants us to believe in Him as the Son of God, to develop a personal relationship with Him, and to walk in His power through the presence of His Holy Spirit. God wants more than a one-time encounter with us; He calls us to grow in Him. We’re meant to love Him more and become more like Him over time. When we grow in Christ, we glow for Christ. People should be able to see Jesus through the way we live. Finally, every Christian is called to go for Christ. We are meant to engage individuals, families, and communities with God’s love.

Main Passages

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

- John 15:5 ESV

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

- Acts 4:13 ESV

”And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover…And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.”

- Mark 16:15-20 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Do you think people around you can see a good representation of Jesus through your life? Why or why not?

3. God calls every believer to do the following four things. Which of these four things best reflect your knowlede of God, or your relationship with Him, at the current moment? What might help you take the next step?

   1. Know Christ.

   2. Grow in Christ.

   3. Glow for Christ.

   4. Go for Christ.

Acing Your Serve

Main Thought

How does a tennis match start? It starts with a “serve” - a shot delivered to start the action. One study estimated that an average professional tennis match typically sees between 100-150 serves. But what does this have to do with the Mission of God? Often, things start when we “serve.” God’s Mission began when He decided to serve humanity by sending His Son, Jesus. Jesus served by living a perfect life, yet choosing to go to the Cross for our sins. He served so that we could belong to His family, believe in Him, and become the people that we were made to be. We can create opportunities for people to belong, believe, and become the people that God made them to be when we serve them too.

Main Passages

25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

- Matthew 20:25-28

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace…

- 1 Peter 4:10

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Why do you think God calls us to serve people, both in His Church and outside it?

3. Can you think of anyone who is a) in your sphere of influence; b) far from God, and; c) in need of help or service in some way? How can serving that person (or people) around you create opportunities to engage them on behalf of Jesus Christ?

Where Our Mission Begins

Main Thought

God is on a mission to rescue Mankind and restore Creation. This is sometimes referred to as “Missio Dei,” or the Mission of God. God included us in His mission, giving us the opportunity to make a difference that lasts forever. So where do we begin? The process of making disciples begins when we engage others and share the good news about Jesus. That task can seem daunting at times. But engaging others doesn’t have to begin with boldness. The first people to ever declare that Jesus rose again were the women who went to visit His tomb. They didn’t necessarily feel “bold” when they started. Engaging others doesn’t need to begin with bulletproof arguments or evidence either. Even the strongest evidence imaginable - seeing the resurrected Jesus - failed to fully convince some people. Engaging others begins when we share our experiences in God with other people. We “brag about what we’ve beheld” in the hopes that others may come to behold God too.

Main Passages

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4 And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. 5 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” 8 So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

- Matthew 28:2-10

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

- Matthew 28:18-20

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

- Matthew 4:19

Discussion Questions

1. Is there anything that keeps you from engaging others, building relationships, or sharing the good news about Jesus?

2. Share one good thing that God has done for you with your Life Group.

3. What’s something you (or your group) could try to engage people who don’t know God in your spheres of influence?