"He Came to Himself"
INTRODUCTION
In Jesus’ day, “sinner” was a title for people who were considered irreligious, corrupt, compromised, and far from God. “Sinners” were people like tax collectors who betrayed their nation to get rich, prostitutes who sold their bodies to the highest bidders, drunkards stuck in the chains of addiction, and even lepers who were considered ritually unclean and unfit to worship God in the temple.
Though the religious Jews of Jesus’ day took pains to avoid sinners, Jesus consistently went out of his way to get close to them. He spent time with them, ate with them, announced the gospel to them, and invited them to follow him. In fact, Jesus spent so much time with these “outcasts” that the religious leaders gave him the pejorative nickname “friend of sinners” (Lk 7:34).
Through examining Jesus’ interaction with “sinners” in the Gospel of Luke, this series aims to highlight several important truths: (1) All of us are sinners in need of grace, (2) Nobody is too sinful for the grace and forgiveness of Christ, (3) Jesus loves sinners AND calls them to repent of their sin, (4) Christians are called to emulate Jesus’ pursuit of sinners.
OPENING DISCUSSION
Have you ever had a moment of clarity when you “came to yourself” and realized you had made a big mistake? What did you do? And what led you to realize your mistake?
BIG IDEA
Biblical repentance is recognizing our sin against God, turning away from it, and running back to God. When we repent, God forgives us and receives us with joyful celebration!
Though the religious Jews of Jesus’ day took pains to avoid sinners, Jesus consistently went out of his way to get close to them. He spent time with them, ate with them, announced the gospel to them, and invited them to follow him. In fact, Jesus spent so much time with these “outcasts” that the religious leaders gave him the pejorative nickname “friend of sinners” (Lk 7:34).
Through examining Jesus’ interaction with “sinners” in the Gospel of Luke, this series aims to highlight several important truths: (1) All of us are sinners in need of grace, (2) Nobody is too sinful for the grace and forgiveness of Christ, (3) Jesus loves sinners AND calls them to repent of their sin, (4) Christians are called to emulate Jesus’ pursuit of sinners.
OPENING DISCUSSION
Have you ever had a moment of clarity when you “came to yourself” and realized you had made a big mistake? What did you do? And what led you to realize your mistake?
BIG IDEA
Biblical repentance is recognizing our sin against God, turning away from it, and running back to God. When we repent, God forgives us and receives us with joyful celebration!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
The Need for Repentance (Read Luke 15:11-16). What does this part of the parable tell us about the nature of sin and its effects on our lives?
The Logic of Repentance (Read Luke 15:17). In verse 17, the younger son “comes to himself” and realizes what he has done. The sin that he thought would fill him had just left him starving. This part of the parable shows us that repentance is often preceded by the realization that our sin is actually bringing harm to our lives. Share a time when you “came to yourself” and realized that a sin you were pursuing was harming you.
The Nature of Repentance (Read Luke 15:18). At this point, the son resolves to leave the “far country” and return to his father. This highlights an important truth about repentance, namely, that repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward God. Whether you are a Christian or simply contemplating faith, what concrete steps of repentance do you think Jesus is calling you to make?
The Direction of Repentance (Read Luke 15:18-19 again). Another aspect of the son’s repentance was his confession, “I have sinned against heaven and against you.” In other words, true repentance is a sorrowful recognition that our sin is against both God and other people. What role does confession of sin play in your life? Do you have a practice of regularly confessing your sins to God and others?
The Response to Repentance (Read Luke 15:20-31). The remainder of the parable recounts the response to repentance. The reaction of the father and the response of the older brother. What stands out to you most about the father’s and brother’s responses? How do these responses both warn and encourage you?
The Logic of Repentance (Read Luke 15:17). In verse 17, the younger son “comes to himself” and realizes what he has done. The sin that he thought would fill him had just left him starving. This part of the parable shows us that repentance is often preceded by the realization that our sin is actually bringing harm to our lives. Share a time when you “came to yourself” and realized that a sin you were pursuing was harming you.
The Nature of Repentance (Read Luke 15:18). At this point, the son resolves to leave the “far country” and return to his father. This highlights an important truth about repentance, namely, that repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward God. Whether you are a Christian or simply contemplating faith, what concrete steps of repentance do you think Jesus is calling you to make?
The Direction of Repentance (Read Luke 15:18-19 again). Another aspect of the son’s repentance was his confession, “I have sinned against heaven and against you.” In other words, true repentance is a sorrowful recognition that our sin is against both God and other people. What role does confession of sin play in your life? Do you have a practice of regularly confessing your sins to God and others?
The Response to Repentance (Read Luke 15:20-31). The remainder of the parable recounts the response to repentance. The reaction of the father and the response of the older brother. What stands out to you most about the father’s and brother’s responses? How do these responses both warn and encourage you?