The Father's Heart
- Dave Gustavsen
- Feb 28, 2010
- Series: Prodigal
The Father’s Heart
The Scandal of Jesus’ Behavior.
The Explanation of Jesus’ Behavior.
The Father’s Loss.
The Father’s Search & Rescue.
The Father’s Joy.
Sermon Questions for Luke 15:1-10
It’s not too late to get people NOT in a small group plugged in for the next 6 weeks. We believe the Prodigal series will be used by God in some big ways. Invite people to this group or to one of the newly formed groups who are not yet connected. If you have feedback, please let David Fuquay know at .
SPECIFIC PRAYER (suggestions)
This series has the potential to be a “category shattering series.” In other words, it has the potential to shatter preconceived perceptions about God, His love, and they way we should view others. Please join the leadership in prayer that God is going to do some big things in our hearts, in our small groups, and in our church, over these next few weeks.
SCRIPTURE AND SHARING
Crawl:
How is your relationship with your father? Were/are you friends? Acquaintances? Did you more fear/avoid him or more enjoy/seek him? Discuss.
Have you ever lost something that was extremely valuable? Discuss. What is that feeling of loss like? Did you ever regain the valuable item? What was that feeling like?
Walk:
What does your relationship with your earthly father have to do with your relationship with your heavenly father? In your situation, did it pave the way or put up a stumbling block? What did you have to change in viewing your heavenly father because of your earthly father?
Read Luke 15:1-2
Who is listening to the teaching and who is judging it? Should not the listeners be the judge? Which are you more likely to do: sit, soak, and listen or critique, comment, and murmur?
Who are the people in our culture who are just despicable, disgusting human beings like the tax collectors in Jesus’ day?
The tax collectors and sinners thought, “God doesn’t want anything to do with me.” The Pharisees and teachers of the law thought, “God must really like me because I’m good!” Given that this is a spectrum, which end are you closer to? What makes you feel that way about yourself?
The Pharisees were trying to honor God by living a pure and holy life, which they viewed as separation. How are you trying to live a pure and holy life? What things do you necessarily need to separate from in order to do that? Do you believe that is a conviction (personal) or commandment (corporate standard for all believers)?[1]
In what ways do you purposely engage in the world for Christ’s sake (following the example of Jesus)? Has a Christian ever called you out on how you engage the world? How did you respond? Was there some truth in their attack? When people do that, is it because of their personal experiences or because they are more connected to God’s will? (See Luke 5:12-13)
Read Luke 15:8-10
From the Father’s view point, what has He lost? Do you view God as emotionless or very emotional? Why is that?
When you lose something of value, there are some undeniable feelings and reactions. List what those are. What are some common feelings/reactions that might be missing?[2]
Have you ever dealt with someone (or even yourself) who believed they were so lost, God could not find them? Some people believe God would stop looking too. What would you say to that mindset?
Read Luke 15:3-7
What do you know of sheep? What would Jesus’ listeners know of sheep?
Have you ever had one of your children lost before? Discuss your feelings.
The Shepherd leaves the 99 in the open country. Why is this shocking to the listeners? How has the Father left believers today in the open country in order to seek and save the lost? (Luke 19:10)
As way of reminder, who are these parables directed at in context? Why is that important? How do you think they are responding? How do you respond when you hear these parables? What makes you mutter?
At the end of both parables there is rejoicing. How do you personally rejoice when God does something amazing? How can this group better rejoice when God works within the group? What celebration can we plan for God’s work?
Run:
How can this group better “reach neighbors and nations?” (A core value of Jacksonville Chapel)
Do you join God in joy when a scum bag is saved? Why or why not? How can we better develop the same heart as the Father for the lost?
What crazy, irrational, and possibly reckless thing may God be calling you to do for the sake of the Gospel, but you are too afraid to act on it?
Key Words and Further Study:
John 1:18 Jesus is the only one who has seen the Father. How did he describe Him?
Luke 5:12-13 How Jesus treats the outcast of His society.
Definition: Parable - a story Jesus told in order to prove a point. Very often, parables are meant to shock us, to jar us, and challenge the way we look at life.
SERVICE (fodder for ideas)
Today we talked about the social outcasts being found by the Father. As a service/outreach, consider inviting a man to the ADVANCE! Men’s Ministry Good Friday Breakfast to hear about another social outcast who has been found by Christ. Here are the details: On Friday April 2nd, ADVANCE! will host our annual Good Friday Men’s Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Hanover Marriott on Route 10 in Whippany. This year’s featured speaker is Michael Franzese, a former Mafia boss. Hear Mr. Franzese tell his story from being a member in the Colombo crime family to being a member in the family of God through trusting in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. Tickets are $30.00 per person and can be purchased in the Chapel Cafe between services on Sunday March 7, 14, 21, and 28 or go online at www.jacksonvillechapel.org.
[1] The Pharisees believed all they did was a corporate standard and used God to justify their thoughts.
[2] This may not be true for everyone, but a common reaction to sin is blame (see Gen 3:12). When we lose something, many times blame is missing from our reactions. Why is that?
