GOING DEEPER
02.24.2019 | “Prodigal | Week 4: The Father”
Join the community and go deeper with this Bible study.
Breaking Ground
Share a story of when you did something that was mildly embarrassing.
The Dig
In Romans 8:31-39, Paul lays out beautiful imagery about God’s love for us, as expressed through the Jesus and the cross.
Read the passage.
On one hand, Paul lays out things that “charge”, or accuse, us, and also things that separate us from God and the love of Christ.
What are some things, thoughts, or ideas that accuse you, or try to separate you from Christ’s love and from God?
On the other hand, against those things, Paul lays out the solution. Re-read 8:32-34, and 37-39.
React to these verses, in particular verses 37-39.
What stirs up inside you? What is your emotional response to them?
What does it mean to you to understand the extent of God’s love?
What do you think God expects or desires from you in return? (Though there’s no “right” answer, think about the parable in Luke 15.)
How has this series impacted or influenced your understanding of God? What difference has it made?
Getting Out of the Hole
Consider who you identify THE MOST with in Luke 15: are you the lost sheep or coin? The younger son? The older son?
Are you called to come home? To respond to the embrace of the Father?
Are you called to become more LIKE the Father? More loving and compassionate?
Share your response with a trusted friend or pastor, and with them consider what your response, or next step forward, could be.
Additional Resources
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
The Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen
The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning
Jacob and the Prodigal by Kenneth Bailey (this is more of a scholarly approach to this text).
What’s Going On This Week (see MYE3 for more details)
Friday Mar 1, 7PM: SHE3 Bonfire.
Sunday, Mar 3: Our sermon series for Lent, titled “Jesus Wept,” begins. Lent is the 40 days that leads up to Easter. Beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 6), it is a season of reflection, repentance, and fasting in order to prepare our hearts to remember Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.
* Please see mye3.org for details.