The Prodigal Son

OBJECTIVE

In the module, students will learn how to both theoretically and practically turn their lives away from the worldly and towards the spiritual. Through the Holy Bible and the sayings of the fathers, they will learn how to engage in reflection upon their thoughts and their actions. They will be taught then to use those reflective tools to make practical changes in their lives that would continually establish them in the Image and Likeness of God.

HOLY SCRIPTURE/ACTIVITY - 15 Minutes

Setup:

  • Split the class into three groups of equal size. Try to place one student in each who will be able to spur on a good conversation.
  • Have all the kids take out their Bibles and turn to Luke 15:11-32
  • Assign each group a key figure in the parable: While the story is being read, each group should pay attention closely to what is happening to all of the characters but are going to be responsible for discussing their groups' character.
    • The Father
    • The Prodigal Son
    • The Older Brother

Read:

  • Read the story and have all of the students follow along. They may take notes on their character during the reading if they have notepads.
  • Make sure students know to focus on their groups' character.

Questions:

Each group should discuss the following questions before they are ready to teach the class about their figure.

  1. What are the key decisions that your character makes? What do you feel are the underlying motivations behind those decisions?
  2. Does your character change through the course of the story or stay the same?
  3. What positive qualities does your character possess?
  4. What can we learn from your character?

Have students discuss these questions in their groups. Make sure they are pointing out verses in the Parable that helped them to answer the questions

REPENTANCE (4 STEPS) - 20 Minutes

There are 4 major steps to repentance

  1. Recognition of need (our spiritual poverty)
  2. Genuine Remorse
  3. Make a decision
  4. Confess

The first two steps happen in the heart while the last two require actions.

Before speaking about the four steps there is a vitally important fact that needs to be addressed.

The prodigal son lived with his father ever since he was a child. He recognized the goodness and graciousness of his father since childhood. He knew and loved his father, even if that love was weak.

  • Before we can ever repent, we need to have an ongoing relationship with God. We need to experience the goodness of God and His church.
  • When we do, we will see that normal human life is filled with Love, Goodness, Hope, Care, Joy, Peace, and all of the other good things which God has given us.

Recognition of need:

  • And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent it all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. (Luke 15)
  • Here we see that the pleasures and comforts which the son found in sinful living wore out quickly. Once they wore out, the son recognized what a pitiful state he was in.
  • We need to always remember that sin is separation from God, the further we are, the more we will need to journey towards him. True repentance is a tough journey, but...The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. (Luke 18:27)

Genuine Remorse:

  • At first, when the son realizes he is in need, he returns under the premise that he will ask to be treated as a servant, live like one and hope to have some amount of food to eat..
    • We must be careful that when we sin, we do not try to find an alternative solution. The only one who can save us from sin is God.
  • Genuine Remorse is felt when we truly recognize how far we have fallen away from God. The son was so grieved by what he had done that he declares "I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
  • This is why it is so important to have that active relationship with God. Without it, you will not begin to understand what life looks like when it becomes devoid of our Lord's presence, it's a miserable life.
  • "But nothing causes such exceeding grief as when anyone, lying under the captivity of sin, calls to mind from where he has fallen, because he turned aside to carnal and earthly things, instead of directing his mind in the beautiful ways of the knowledge of God." (St. Ambrose of Milan)

Make a decision and act:

  • I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." "And he arose and came to his father."
  • When we feel remorse, it's important to not just brush it aside, but to take action and offer a true repentance.
  • It is possible to go through the first steps and then remain in our sin. Many people find excuses to not take action against their sin.
  • Possible Excuses:
    • I am too young, I'll stop later when I get older
    • It will be too hard and take too much work
    • It will be embarrassing. What will my friends or other people think?
    • I just like it too much.
    • God is merciful, He will forgive me anyway.
    • Everyone else is doing it
  • We need to be wary of such excuses.

God may be merciful, but our sins separate us from Him. If we truly love him we will not abuse the freedom and love that he has given us.

"...as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God." (1 Peter 2:16)

Confess:

  • Once we have made this decision to try to give up our sin and to turn to God we must confess. Both to God and to our Father of Confession.
  • "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; (Luke 15)

We notice two things in this passage

  1. The son approaches his father and confesses that he has sinned
  2. The father forgives the son and celebrates his return.

Takeaway:

  • We should never be afraid to come to confession nor to confess our sins before God
  • Abouna is not allowed to reveal our confession to anyone, even our parents. Abouna also is loving and has not only heard all of the sins possible, but is even a sinner himself. He understands where we are coming from when we confess as he too has a father of confession.
  • God desires our confession and is so Joyful when it comes
    • "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." Luke 15:7