Aug. 10, 2025

Last week we ended in the middle of the parable of the prodigal son. This week we will see the father’s response to his returning son and the bitterness of the older son.

Luke Lesson 30 Study Questions

1.    And he arose and came to his father: The prodigal first thought; but he didn’t stop at _________. He didn’t just feel sorry and think about ___________; he actually did it.

2.    But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion: “The depth of the son’s __________ is matched only by the depth of the father’s _____.” (Pate)

3.    And they began to be merry: It was a happy thing to find the lost sheep and the lost coin. It was much more happy to find the lost son. They had a wonderful party with special clothing, jewelry, and food. It wasn’t just finding a _____ son; it was as if he were back from the ______.

4.    But he was angry and would not go in: The older son was not happy that the brother was so joyfully received. He complained and felt it was an insult to his own _________ and _________.

5.    In each of the parables, the message to the tax collectors and sinners was clear: ________, come home to the father. The message to the religious leaders was also clear: be ______ when the lost are found, when they repent and come home to the father.

6.    “Give an account of your stewardship” are words that _________ will hear, both sinner and saint. All will have to give account in some way, and we will give _______ to God. Spurgeon once noted that each of us will have to give account of our stewardship regarding our time, our talents, our substance, and our influence.

7.    Yet, the dishonest steward was a good example on several points. First, he knew he would be called to account for his life and he took that seriously. Christians should take seriously the idea that they will be called to ________, and that idea can be a joy if we are properly about our Master’s business. Second, he took advantage of his present position to arrange a comfortable _______.

8.    Make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon: Jesus transferred the principle of the parable, reminding us that we need to use our ________ resources to plan ahead for _________.

9.    That when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home: The world is filled with financial planners and advisers; and it is good for Christians to learn how to use their money wisely. But when most Christians talk about wise money management, they forget to practice the most important kind of long term ________: investing with an eye to _________, an everlasting home.

10.    No servant can serve two masters: Jesus states that serving two masters is a simple impossibility. If you think that you are successfully serving two masters, you are deceived. One can have both money and God; but one cannot serve both money and God.

11.    For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God: God judges our hearts with a different set of values. Men may honor someone because of their _______ or their public display of spirituality; but God sees who they _______ are.

12.    It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail: As Jesus spoke of a new aspect of God’s work beginning after the ministry of John the Baptist, He didn’t want any to think that the new aspect of God’s work ________ or __________ the law.