Parable of the Lost Son (Discussion Questions)

Read Luke 15: 11-32

• What is this story about? Money? Wild living? Stubbornness? Forgiveness? Anger?
• Who wants his share of the family inheritance?
• Why?
• Is there some sibling rivalry?
• Are you aware that both boys receive their inheritance at the same time?
• Who received more? (the older usually receives a double portion)
• What does the younger brother do with his money?
• Was the famine in the land representative of the son's behavior or was it a real famine, like Joseph experienced in Egypt?
• What must it have been like for everyone to desert him?
• Have you ever found that if you have some money, everyone wants to be your friend until the money is gone?
• What was this experience telling him about true friendship?
• How do you make friends?
• What is important in a friendship?
• Did his dad kick him out of the house for asking for his inheritance?
• How do you think the mother felt about this? (she's not in the story, but think about her response)
• Where did the son go when he was penniless?
• What did he end up doing to earn food and shelter?
• Why was this a repulsive activity? (Jews saw pigs as unclean)
• What did he think about while feeding the swine?
• What did he decide to do?
• Can you see that he disliked feeding swine so much that he was willing to return home to a situation that caused him to leave?
• When he returns, how does his father greet him – with anger? with "I told you so"? with love?
• What does the father do to make the son feel at home?
• How might the mother have greeted him?
• Why does the older brother get angry?
• Do you think the older brother was justified for being upset that his brother got a party?
• What was the father's message to the younger son?
• What was the father's message to the older son?
• Was this a case of unconditional love?
• If you had been the mother, what would you have said to your sons?
• If you were the older brother, what do you think the father/mother should have done to your brother?
• Why did the older brother think the younger brother should be punished?
• Do you want to see people punished before you forgive them?
• What things are happening in the world today that require forgiveness?
• What do you think of the father's handling of things?
• What makes a good father?
• What qualities would make a good mother in this instance?
• Are these the same qualities you find in God as Mother?
• What qualities would make a good brother?
• What do you learn about judging others from this story?
• Think of a modern day story that would be like the Prodigal son.