The Wonderful Father

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PRAY:

Have someone read Psalm 103:13 aloud. After you read it, spend a minute or two silently reflecting on the passage. Then spend some time praying as a group for anything that this passage draws to your mind or stirs up in your heart.

ONE ANOTHERING:

Try to think of some practical needs you can share to give others the opportunity to step up and love you. It's okay if it takes some time to get comfortable with this. It takes time and practice to be vulnerable with one another... but amazing things happen when we are. Remember that the Benevolence Ministry is a resource for our comGroups.

  • How can we love or serve one another this week?

DEFINE: TRINITY

REFLECT:

  • Did you feel connected to the life, love, or joy of the Trinity at all this week?
  • What did that look like?
  • Did the practice from this week help to cultivate that connection?

WATCH:

READ:

Luke 15:1-2 & 11-32


SHARE:

  • What stands out to you from this story?
  • Jesus tells this parable in response to the pharisees complaining that he "receives sinners and eats with them." Does their complaint give any new meaning to this parable?
  • Does the father's response strike you as normal or strange? Why do you think that is?
  • Does the father in this story seem similar to or different from the way you understand God? In what ways?
  • This parable is often referred to as the parable of the prodigal son. After reading and reflecting on it, what title would you give to this parable?
  • How would you describe the forgiveness the father shows in this parable?
  • Do you ever struggle to receive God's forgiveness when you sin? Why do you think that is?
  • What about this parable might encourage you when you are struggling to receive God's forgiveness?
  • Paul writes in Colossians 3:13, "As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." How do we cultivate this kind of forgiveness in our own lives?

PRACTICE:

Put this slide into practice this week. Remind yourself of these four truths. Come back next week to share how this affected your experience of God.

PRAY:

End your time by having someone read Ephesians 4:32 aloud. Spend some time silently reflecting on this passage before you close in prayer.