Day 1

Scripture to Read: Luke 15:11–12

Jesus loved using parables to teach biblical truth. This week, we examine Luke 15:11–32, the parable better known as “The Prodigal Son.” We read in Luke 15:11–12, “And He said, A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.” Jesus started by letting us know that there were two sons. The younger son came to his father and asked for his inheritance. In that day and time, the inheritance was almost always given to the family at death. So, when the younger son asked his father for his share during his father’s lifetime, it showed incredible selfishness, impatience, and a complete rejection of his father’s authority in his life and the status of the father as the head of the home. The younger son was choosing to sever all ties with his father and his family. The younger son was unwilling to wait for his inheritance, revealing his total disrespect for his father. It’s not just the fact that he wanted the money, but he asked for it in a way that told his father that he was dead to him and that he was done with him and the rest of the family. The love of the father is first revealed in Luke 15:12, “So he divided his wealth between them.” The father did not plead with him to stay nor did he scold him. He gave his son what he wanted. God would use this to teach him.

Challenge & Application

What are some of the ungodly characteristics you see in the younger son, and why are they ungodly? How do you see the father’s love expressed for his son, and do you see our Heavenly Father’s love expressed for you?

Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!

Devotionals from this week

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Day 1

Jesus loved using parables to teach biblical truth. This week, we examine Luke 15:11–32, the parable better known as “The Prodigal Son.” We read in Luke 15:11–12, “And He said, A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.” Jesu...

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Day 2

Jesus then tells us this in Luke 15:13–16, “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 So he went and ...

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Day 3

The prodigal son had hit rock bottom and had gotten to the point of desperation. Jesus shares with us in Luke 15:17–19, “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned aga...

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Day 4

After the son had come to his senses and remembered the graciousness of his father, Jesus tells us this in Luke 15:20–21, “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned again...

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Day 5

The son had returned home, he had confessed his sin to his father and told his father he was not even worthy of being called his son anymore. But then, Jesus reveals this to us in Luke 15:22–24, “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and br...

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Day 6

With all the good news of the younger son’s return, then Jesus reveals this in Luke 15:25–30, “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your...

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Day 7

The older son had shared his bitterness toward his younger brother with his father. The older son also scolded his father for his willingness to so quickly forgive his younger son and to throw a party for him. But Jesus then reveals this in Luke 15:31–32, “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. ...

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