The Steps Of The Lost

Luke 15:11-24

Theme: Lost

Key verse: v.11

32 verses; 725 words

Grade level: 5.9

Outline:

I. The Lost Sinners. Vs.1-2

II. The Lost Sheep. Vs.3-7

III. The Lost Silver. Vs.8-10

IV. The Lost Son. Vs.11-32

What is this son called? A: The prodigal son.

What part of speech is “prodigal”? It is an adjective, it describes a noun.

What does it mean?

Some think the word means a saved but backslid person.

Some think it means a saved person that is now lost.

It is from the 15th century. It means “wasteful” (Etymology Dictionary app)

The word DOES NOT appear in the Bible.

“Lost” (1st occ. Exodus 22:9) occurs 33 times; 7 in Luke;

5 in chapter 15 (vs.4, 6, 9, 24, 32)

All the STEPS in the story:

I. The Portion He Favored. vs.11-12

Both sons are mentioned. v.11

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

One son is manifested. v.12

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

Both sons got equal inheritance.

The father was not an enabler.

Enabling parents spend the inheritance of their children on a wasteful child.

II. The Party He Financed. vs.13-14

We see a wasted life. v.13

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Notice the verse number!

We see a wanting life. v.14

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

III. The Pity He Felt. vs.15-19

He had to get work. vs.15-16

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

How he gave to his friends but now no one helped him.

How he spent money picking up the tab now no one will pay his.

He had to get wisdom. vs.17-19

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

IV. The Parent He Faced. vs.20-24

The welcome he faced. vs.20-21

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

Compassion was shown.

Contention is not needed: i.e. “if you would have listened to me this would have never happened”

The warmth he felt. vs.22-24

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Conclusion:

Are you like this prodigal son?

Are you a prodigal parent?