Study Guide - Changing the World God's Way - Week 11
Introduction
A parable is a story with a point. In these verses Jesus tells one parable (see verse 3 - singular) yet the parable has 3 parts. In studying these verses it is helpful to make a chart of each of the 3 stories listing the characteristics of each. In this way you will see the similarities and the differences between each one of them. Of key importance in studying any parable that Jesus tells is to look at the context. What was the situation in which Jesus told this story? Who was the audience He was speaking to? How did the people respond. To understand this it is important to read the verses that are before and after the story. A parable is not an allegory. An allegory is a story in which each character represents something else. An example of an allegory in the Bible is Psalm 80 in which God's people are represented in the Psalm as a growing vine. Jesus used allegory in John chapter 10 verses 1-16 where sheep represent people and the sheep pen the Kingdom of God. Other examples are Galatians 4;21-31; Romans 11:15-24; and Ephesians 6:11-17. A parable is not an allegory but instead is a story or illustration of a single point. Here there are 3 stories that all make the same point - Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
Background Information
The word 'lost' appears 7 times in these verses. This is hint that this is a key concept. Similarly the word 'found' occurs 8 times. Thus from an examination of the words we can see that the key message is about lost and found. Finding the lost is the priority of Jesus Christ. When the shepherd leaves the 99 in the open country it is probably not a dangerous thing to do for the 99 sheep since in that culture shepherds worked in teams and there was a head shepherd and assistant shepherds so the 99 would have been safe while the shepherd went searching for the lost sheep. Sheep tended to wander away and would get lost and at risk of getting eaten by a predator or falling on a cliff etc. It was normal practice for the shepherd to go and seek the lost sheep. The woman's lost coin was a drachma and probably had a value was one days average wages for a worker. It is normal for someone to search for a coin of that value. If you were being paid $15 per hour and lost $120 in your house you would look for it. Jesus' point is that it is normal in life to seek what is lost.
In examining the story of the prodigal son it his helpful to note the steps in his journey. He is on a downward spiral which shows us the destructive nature of sin. The word lost applied to him is a participle meaning he is in the state of being lost or state of destruction getting worse and worse. Interestingly enough in this story the Father does not go out to seek him unlike the woman or the shepherd in the previous stories. Here the young man's decision is deliberate and willful. Something must happen in his heart. In fact requesting his inheritance and leaving would be a huge insult to to the Father. His coming to his senses is a beautiful step by step picture of true repentance as follows: - awakening - remorse (godly sorrow) - confession of sin - sincere feeling of unworthiness - turning around. Of course the climax of the 3 stories is the Father welcoming the son back with compassion and full restoration. The older brother does not understand the father's heart just as the religious leaders did not understand Jesus' heart. Verse 32 is a powerful summary of Jesus' purpose.
Key Points
Digging Deeper Questions
1. Have several people in the group tell each of the stories in their own words.
2. What do you notice that each of the stories have in common? What are the differences between the stories?
3. What types of people do you see as lost? Why? What about people who live a good life and are good people but are not followers of Jesus - are they lost?
4. Why did Jesus tell these 3 stories? Support your answer from scripture. What is the main point Jesus is teaching?
5. Which one of the 3 stories relates most to your life story? Explain.
6. Why do you think the sinners want to hear Jesus teach (verse 1)? What do we learn about Jesus from these verses? What do we learn about our purpose from these verses?
7. What will you apply from these verses?
This Week’s Challenge
Make a list of 3 lost people you will start praying for and seeking.