When the Prodigal Returns Home - A Relational Look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son

What do we learn about God - the Father? [Be like Him]

1. We cannot behave so badly that He will reject us when we return

2. He is looking for us to return even when He lets us go do what we insist on doing

3. God is patient, waiting for us to come to our senses

4. His priority is to restore a relationship with Him first before everything else

5. He defends His actions to His critics and protects the prodigal who returns

What do we learn about sin, its effects, and restoration ? [Be wise in our choices]

1. Sin changes our perspective to focus on ourselves and our desires

2. Sin objectifies people and causes us to use people for our own selfish purposes

3. Sin blinds us to the ultimate consequences of our actions

4. Ultimately, sin can be a motivator to influence us to return to God

5. Sin does not overpower the love of God

6. It's never too late to return to God no matter how much we have sinned

7. God is eager to restore us

What do we learn about the prodigal? [come home]

1. When we put our mind to do something God doesn't want us to do, He will let us

2. When we disregard who we know we should be as Christians, God never discards us but waits for us to return to him

3. We return to God presenting our terms to him (be a hired servant) but God restores us to our rightful place as his child

4. We, like the prodigal, can be shocked at the compassion, mercy, grace,forgiveness,and restoration of God

5. Not everyone will be happy that we returned and that God is rejoicing. Some think we should be punished

What do we learn about being judgmental on those who return to God? [Rejoice when sinners return]

1. We can have a heart that does not reflect the love of the Father

2. We can have a transactional relationship with God - we do something for Him and He is obligated , in our mind, to do something for us

3. We can refuse to join God in His celebration of restoration

4. We can hold grudges against people who have sinned and shamed themselves and the Christian community

5. We can expect that God should have honored us at an earlier time or instead of someone else