On this page:
- Questions from the Main Message: ‘A World With 3 Sons: part 1/son #1’
- Questions for families about the children’s message, with downloadable activity sheets.
- Quick devo/video just for teens.
QUESTIONS FOR SMALL GROUPS TO HELP DIG DEEPER INTO THE MAIN MESSAGE: ‘A World With 3 Sons: part 1/son #1’
READ TEXT: Luke 15:11-24. Pastor Michael mentioned that many years ago a survey was taken of literary scholars to determine the greatest short story ever written. When the results of the survey came in, 70% said the single greatest short story ever recorded is the story of the Prodigal Son. Why do you think this particular story is so well-liked? What about the story stands out to you?
Read Romans 7:16-17 – “Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me.” What is Paul saying? How is this like the Prodigal Son “coming to his senses” (Luke 15:17)?
The Father in the story didn’t come to the pig-sty and rescue his son. Why not? How does Colossians 1:21 possibly answer the reason why?
Once the son repents, turns from his sin and turns towards the Father, the Father in the story is seen running. Discuss what this means to you.
The Father does some things that remind us of what our Heavenly Father does for us. Look up the following Scriptures and discuss each of these and what they mean for us as followers of Jesus:
– He puts the best robe on His son. Isaiah 61:10 & 2 Corinthians 5:21
– He puts His ring on His son’s finger. Esther 8:2 & Luke 9:1
– He put shoes on His son’s feet. Ephesians 6:15.
Notice the requests of the prodigal at the beginning… and then the ending of this story. At the beginning, when life is all about ‘him’… his request of the Father is, “Give me the goods”. At the end, when he realizes life without His father in it… stinks, his request of the Father is, “Make me a servant”. “Give me the goods” or “Make me a servant”. What has been your heart’s cry lately?
Family Discussion Questions for the Children’s Message: “Jeremiah, Prophet to Judah”
Choose a volunteer to read aloud Jeremiah 31:33-34
Ask the following questions and Lead your family to discuss:
- What did Jeremiah say would be different about the new covenant? Remind kids that in the old covenant, the people had God’s commands in writing. They disobeyed His commands and made sacrifices every year for their sin. In the new covenant, God was going to write His law on their hearts. He would give His people the power to obey His commands. (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Heb. 10:16.)
- How does God change our hearts today? Guide kids to identify that Jesus came to establish the new covenant. We all sin and, just like the people of Judah, need a heart change. God changes our hearts and invites us into a relationship with Him through Jesus. He gives us power through the Holy Spirit to obey God’s commands. (Option: Choose a kid to read Ezek. 11:19-20.)
- Why should we obey God? Invite kids to share their ideas. Help them recognize that We should obey God because He made us, He loves us, and His plans are good. We don’t have to earn His love. We already have it! (Option: Choose a volunteer to read Eph. 2:8-9.)
ACTIVITY PAGES!
Just click the downloadable pages below and print out! If you take a picture and send that picture to: Conor@thealpinechapel.com we’ll do something very special with them!
Activity Page – Coloring Sheet
GOT TEENS?
Here’s a message just for them from Pastor Conor, click below:
