Study the Bible
Daily Reading Plan
- Last Sunday – Galatians 5:22-23
- This Sunday – Luke 15:11-24
- Monday – Luke 1:26-38
- Tuesday – Luke 1:39-45
- Wednesday – Luke 1:46-56
- Thursday – Luke 1:57-66
- Friday – Luke 1:67-80
- Saturday – Luke 2:1-7
- Next Sunday – Luke 2:8-10
Luke 15:11-24, CEB
11Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then the father divided his estate between them. 13Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.
14“When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. 15He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. 17When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death! 18I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.”” 20So he got up and went to his father.
“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. 21Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! 23Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting 24because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
Consider these Questions
- What excited or resonated with you?
- What challenged or frustrated you?
- What was confusing or did not make sense?
- How did this change your understanding of your faith and your relationship with God?
Your Life with God
Use these questions on your own or as part of a Wesley Small Group.
- Where are you currently in your relationship with God?
- How have you felt God’s presence in the past week?
- Where have you seen God at work in your life in the last week?
- How is your life in God?
- How is it with your soul?
- On a scale of 1 to 10, what number would you give to how close you feel to God today? Why?
- How are you living as a disciple of Jesus Christ as you worship, grow, give, serve and share? (choose one today)
- Where are you seeking guidance from God?
- How can others in this group pray for you and your walk with God?
Serve the Church and World
- What are upcoming opportunities for you to serve on your own or with a group?
Wesley Small Group Gathering
- Getting to Know You – Choose 1 or 2 questions (15 minutes)
- What’s your favorite quotation?
- Which is more important intelligence or common sense?
- What’s the best way to spend a rainy weekend?
- Opening Prayer
- Study (25 minutes)
- Your Life with God (30 minutes)
- Serve (5 minutes)
- Concerns and Prayers
- Closing Prayer
As a Wesley Small Group, we covenant to …
- Pray together and for one another
- Devote time during each meeting to study together.
- Actively participate and engage in the Wesley Small Group meeting.
- Respond to group communications and inform the group of an absence.
- Respect differences, treat each other with love.
- Keep what is shared within the Wesley Small Group confidential.
- Provide care to every member of the Wesley Small Group
- Serve together at least twice a year.
- Review and recommit in one year.
Wesley Small Group Reminders
- Wesley Small Groups will be a safe place to learn about Christ.
- Wesley Small Groups will provide a place where members can practice living as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
- No one will ever be called on to pray or talk.
- Groups will be composed of a mix of believers in a variety of spiritual stages.
- Discussion facilitation will ideally rotate among members of the group.