Parenting on Purpose: Coming Home – (Week 4)
Preacher: Daniel Erasmus
Worship and check-in: As part of your check-in for group, take some time to check in about where you are personally at, whether around your parenting, in your relationships with family, or with God. Spend some time in worship “Holy Forever by Bethel Worship” and be mindful of what the song’s words mean as we come to worship our living God and Saviour. Revelations 4:8 says, “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
Bible Readings: Luke 15:11-13; Romans 3:10-12; Isaiah 1:2-3; Colossians 1:9-10; Galatians 6:9; Luke 15:20, 24; Ephesians 2:8
Preparation and Discussion for Group Time:
Ps Daniel concluded this series by speaking about what happens when our children do things that we wish that they would not do. When they turn away from God, and become prodigals, just like in Luke 15. Acknowledging that we are all born into sin, we are all born with a sinful nature. As parents, we never want something bad for our children, just like God doesn’t or didn’t want something bad for our lives. Adam and Eve’s choices brought sin into the world, and we have choices to make to choose right or wrong. We also need to acknowledge that this side of heaven, not one of us will be perfect.
1. Ps Daniel shared that God understands our parental pain when our children walk away from God, choose the wrong path, or live outside of the parameters set for them. (Isaiah 1:2-3) Share with the group who your prodigal is that you are praying for.
2. Read the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-13. We see often these three common ingredients of a prodigal.
- Prodigals generally become increasingly self-centered.
- Prodigals think they know all the answers.
- Prodigals demand immediate gratification.
As parents, family, or friends, we often question what could we have done differently, did we do everything we could have, where did we go wrong? Share your response to this question and how could you surrender this guilt and shame to God.
3. How do we reach our prodigal, son or daughter, friend, or family member, what do we do? Well, let’s look at three Biblical thoughts:
- Unwavering Prayer (Colossians 1:9-10)
- Unending Patience (Galatians 6:9)
- Unconditional Love (Luke 15:20, 24)
Share with the group what have you been challenged to keep doing or start doing to reach your prodigal.
Check out and Prayer:
Create a box or jar to put the names of your prodigals in so that you can continue to pray for them weekly. Isaiah 30:18, “But the Lord still waits for you.” Right now, at this moment He is waiting for those we are praying for to return to Him. He’s also waiting for those of us who have drifted from Him, our heads know, but our hearts have grown cold in how we respond to Him, allow Him to show you His love and compassion for you, “For the Lord God is faithful.” Pray for the prodigals to return to God, pray for each other to keep the faith in praying and trusting that God would call them home.
Love God:
- Meditate on Isaiah 30:18 (NLT) “So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.”
- For personal study check out the following devotions on YouVersion:
Love People:
- For upcoming next steps in your discipleship journey; like Baptism or serving. Sign up online at Church Center/ the website.