The Lost Son and The Other Son

I have recenty been working with my home church in helping with the adult Sunday School curriculum. Two of the most recent lessons that I have written is on the Lost Son and the Other Son. I pray that these two lessons will encourage you in your walk with the Lord. I also pray that these two lessons will motivate you to share the love and grace of Christ with those that are lost and need salvation.


The Lost Son
Luke 15:11-24

As a little kid did you ever “run away”?

How did you parents react when you came back?


Truth

Read Luke 15:11-24

1. Which son asked for his inheritance early?
2. Did his father give it to him?
3. How long did the money last? (look at verse 13)
4. What job did the son have to do once he lost his job?
5. In order to get away from feeding the pigs, what job was he willing to do at his father’s house?
6. Describe his father’s reaction when the lost son came home?

The youngest son arrogantly went to his father and demanded his inheritance. In the Jewish culture, to demand ones inheritance was as if you where saying “I wish you were dead”! The father lovingly gave his demanding son what he desired. It did not take very long for the young son to run out of money and to run out of friends. Since he had no place to go and no money to spend, he took the only job available and that was feeding pigs. The son was so desperate for food, that he even started sharing his meals with the pigs. Because of his sin, he knew his father would not welcome him home as an heir, but the son was willing to become a slave, as long as he was under the same roof and protection of his father. As the young son, still smelling of pig slob, trudged up the walkway towards his house, something astonishing occurred. His father, in his fancy clothes, hiked up his tunic and ran towards his son. He hugged and kissed the son, not caring that he too now had the stench of pig on himself. Not only did the father welcome the son back into his household, but the father welcomed the son back into his heart as his son.


Trial:

7. Have you ever said a very hurtful thing to you parents or have been told something hurtful by your child?

8. How did you react?

9. Have you ever done such great sin or disappointed God that you felt like He would never forgive you?

10. How did you feel once God forgave you?

Read Romans 8:35-38. See that nothing, absolutely nothing can separate you from the love of Christ.

“It costs God nothing so far as we know, to create nice new things; but to convert rebellious wills cost him crucifixion.”

Nothing, absolutely nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. Once you have accepted Christ’s forgiveness and salvation, no sin can separate us from His love, mercy and grace!





The Other Son
Luke 15:25-32
Growing up, did you ever have sibling rivalry??

What activity did you and your siblings compete in the most?

Did you ever feel like your parents “like” your brother or sister more then you?


Read Luke 15:25-32

1. Notice the first few words of verse 25, “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field”. The older son was being responsible, doing what he was told. Do you ever get tired of doing the right thing??

2. What was going on when the older brother came in from the field?

3. What was his reaction?

4. What did the father say to him to try to get him to come into the party?

5. What did the father say belonged to the older son?

6. Why did the father want to celebrate the return of the younger brother?


The older son was very frustrated with his father for having the party for the younger son. The older son had done what was right. He had stayed at his father’s side. He had worked the fields while his younger brother was out carousing with loose women and getting drunk on wine. The older son had never asked anything from his father. The younger son had asked for everything from his father, and in receiving it, squandered it away. Yet, when the younger son returned he was given a great celebration! To the older brother this did not seem fair. This is the reaction that many Christians have when a lost soul has come to know the Lord.


7. What has been your reaction when a lost person comes to know Christ?

8. Have you ever felt jealous of someone who had a very sinful past gain more recognition once they became a Christian?

Instead of being jealous of that Christian who “sowed their wild oats” and then were saved, we should rejoice in their salvation. We should also rejoice in the fact that we were spared some of the scars created by their created by their sinful behavior.