GenX Dicipleship Group | The Prodigal Son

Intro

allow the wisdom and revelation that comes by your spirit to flow freely

Series on Family and Family Relationships

continuing the discussion we had last month

what does the word of God have to say to Parents about the relationship we should have with our children.

Having children is a gift from the lord Psalm 127:3-5

We have a responsibility to train them the right way Proverbs 22:6

Children when they are born they bring us Joy John 16:21

What should our Relationship look like when our children become Adults?

Last month We stopped at the prodigal son parable Lk 15:11-32

this is the longest and most known parable that is real easy to interpret

follows the lost sheep and the lost coin parables that teaches that God rejoices over one sinner that repents

Characters Father, older son, younger son

want to focus on the character of the Father it helps understand how we should respond if we want to do things God’s way

the way the Father responds to his son's serves as an example of how we as parents must respond to our adult children

We must always respond with patience

Luke 15:11-13 “11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. 13 “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.”

In this culture, the older son was normally the heir to whatever the father had and got a double portion of all the property that the Father owned. The younger son got 1/3.

Tell briefly about how your child left home? Did they feel entitled to what was yours? Did they leave on good terms? Did they ask for any assistance or did they try to do things on their own?

Notice what the Father did not do. He didn’t go looking for the son. He didn’t keep tabs on the younger son.

I would argue that he did seek God for counsel and not the counsel of other people.

I heard stories and rumors about my Daughter after she dropped out of college. I went to her apartment that I helped get her into and saw the stripper pole in the living room. People told me about her . some of them attended church here

I consulted my Mom and she told me to actually go to the strip club

We need to be imitators of God not our Parents

The Father had to have heard bad things about the younger son but didn’t react in a negative way

What he did teaches us we must be patience and understanding. When they first leave the house, they are not miniature adults. they still have much to learn

We must celebrate When they do something right and pray when they don't

Lk 15: 20-24 “20 “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

notice what the father didn’t do

he didn’t give his son a lecture , he doesn’t ask where have you been

he doesn't say I hope you’ve learned your lesson

I remember, I was in sampson county NC, got pulled over by a State trooper and got arrested

my charges was displaying a fictitious driver license

driving while license revoked

when they gave me my phone call I called my mother

and she gave me a lecture

the father didn’t wait, he ran and embraced the son

ring on his hand meant he was a full member of the family and slaves didn’t wear sandals

fattened calf was only done during a feast. most didn’t eat meat with meals

Relationship was everything to the Father

We must always be forgiving in every situation

Lk 15:29-32 “29 “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’ ””

notice how the older son addressed the Father. He didn’t say Father he just said look!

then speaking about his younger brother, he said this son of yours

This story doesn't have a happy ending

the older did not join in on the celebration

Can you share what happened after the last argument you had with your child? Did they stop calling you Mom or show some level of disrespect?

this teaches that no matter how good a parent you’ve been, your child may end up testing your patience, your kindness your ability to not go back and forth with them but show love unconditionally in every situation.

Both sons in this story were separated from the Father but for different reasons.

Younger son was alienated because of his immorality and unrighteousness

Older son was alienated because of his morality and righteousness

Both my biological kids were alienated from me for two different reasons

Daughter did a lot of immoral things. She didn’t speak to me for about a year

the hospital emergency room incident changed the relationship

When you look at the characteristics we find in the Father, being patient forgiving, celebrating when the kids do something right pray when they don’t

There is no way that we can do the same unless we are led by the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

1 peter 1:16 “16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.””

Help us God to love our children and our grandchildren the same way you love us.