Ways to engage different ages, spiritual styles and learning preferences
Ideas for a sermon or interactive talk
See also ‘Thought for the week’ to read out in place of a sermon; and 'The week in focus', linking the readings to the news.
- The picture of God that emerges within this week’s parable is completely at odds with a remote authoritarian figure who would condemn the behaviour of others, or control them through authority, power and fear. This father doesn’t condemn, he allows – he allows rebellion and he allows resentment. In fact, he is vulnerable to rejection by both his sons, because he does not control them. He loves and he waits, he never gives up hope, he runs and embraces, he feasts and celebrates. He remains true to his values and so experiences both great sadness and great joy. Can we cope with this picture of God? If not, why not?
- This parable is told by Jesus in response to the resentment of the religious people. Do we have this kind of resentment? Do we feel superior to other people? Has this become part of our faith? Do we assume that God agrees with us? Judging or condemning other people can be a convenient way of avoiding confronting ourselves. As long as the elder brother has the younger brother to look down upon, he can assure himself that he is the good son. He does not have much love in him – for his tiresome brother, or for his father for whom he has ‘been working like a slave’.
- A son who had been estranged from his family went to his father’s funeral. Whatever had happened in the past, he felt he should attend. The minister conducting the service did not know the family, but had been briefed by the rest of the deceased’s close relatives to mention his three children by name. However, the estranged son was the fourth! He had been deliberately written out of his family’s history. To them he was lost. What do you think should have happened next? Or think of this in a broader connect: there are many cultures, including close to home, where someone who is considered to have brought shame on a family or community is ostracised. Whether we consider the reason behind such action as shameful or not, how does Jesus’ parable speak to such situations? In short, what is your reaction?
- There once was a father, who waited
’til his young son with revelling was sated.
In a sty far away, the lad started to pray,
and came home to dad’s welcome, not slated!
His brother was far from elated,
when he learnt how the wastrel was feted.
He refused to share space, with the family disgrace,
and said they were no longer related.
Thought for the week
Read out in place of a sermon if you wish
Jesus told three lost and found stories: a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son. It was his way of answering his critics because he welcomed lost people rather than rejecting them as ne’er-do-wells. They are all in Luke chapter 15, and we have heard the third of them today. The story is commonly called ‘The prodigal (or lost) son’ But that isn’t really a very satisfactory title. Why not? Because the story is really more about what the father did than either of the sons. ‘The story of two lost sons and a forgiving father’, perhaps. I know, not so catchy.
Let’s look at some of the details. We can see that the younger son is lost. He turns his back on his family and disappears to have fun…until the cash runs out. If we are fans of the ‘soaps’, we often see characters like that, and some of us may have someone within our own family history who was or is regarded as the ‘black sheep’.
Then there’s the father. He gives the boy a lot of money. He lets him go and spend it. But, we are told, he never stops looking out for him. And when he does see him, he forgets all dignity and etiquette and runs to meet him. And if that’s not bad enough, he responds to his wayward son’s apology not with a right scolding, but by giving him new clothes and a huge barbecue! Isn’t it way over the top? How would we have reacted?
And we can probably understand the brother’s reaction. He‘s been slaving away in the fields, just as he has every day since his brother went away. On this day, he comes home to a blaring disco, a big roast, and his scoundrel of a brother being treated like royalty. It is so wrong! He’s the good person, not that waste of space. No wonder he wouldn’t join the party. And we leave him in the farmyard, lost in self-pity.
Through the action of the father in the story, Jesus says that there was right and wrong in both of the sons. The one was wrong to have gone away and squandered what he had, but he was right to have returned and asked for forgiveness. The brother was right to have stayed and worked hard, but was wrong to be so upset and angry that someone who had been so lost had returned home again.
What about us? Where or who are you in the story? I suspect that most of us have taken on each of the roles at some time or another – been a bit wayward, or a bit jealous and angry; and, hopefully, unconditionally loving and forgiving. But let’s be clear, God’s way is the father’s way – and that is the way we are called to follow.
Active worship
What would you say?
Reflect on the parable’s relevance to your life.
- Invite people to imagine themselves a character in the Gospel story and to ponder some questions. Allow a reasonable amount of time for each one. If you are a brother, what would you say to your brother at the beginning and end of the story? How will you change in the days after the party? If you are the father, what would you say to each of your sons on the day after the party? (Think about the future.)
- Finally, in what ways is, or might, this story be about you and your life, and God?
W S
Family role play
Explore the parable in a contemporary context.
- Form family-size groups. Among yourselves, agree with each other on a role for each person (father, son, mother, daughter, etc.). Imagine the story taking place in a modern context leading to a ‘family talk’ – before or after the party. Talk with each other from your character’s viewpoint about any of the issues raised by what has happened.
W E
Group discussion and plan
What does it mean to be the ‘open arms of God’?
- Working in groups, invite people to think of their experience of life in your local community, asking: How does the parable challenge our attitude to people who have, or have not, succeeded ‘in the system’ that is modern society? For example, are there local issues/needs concerning inclusion, fresh starts, family relationships, and so on? Make a list of these as you go.
- Review your list, asking how, individually or together, you might be the ‘open and welcoming arms of God’ in some of those situations. Agree at least one practical and achievable thing to do to begin to address one of the needs.
W A
Individual reflection
Explore how the story touches on relationships.
- Imagine that you were the unmentioned mother of the two sons, wife of the father. What would you have said and done? Alternatively, what difficult or challenging family experiences have you had? What action does this parable inspire or encourage you to take?
- Write a letter to your (imaginary) sister about it.
W A
Amazing grace
A song to inspire creativity.
You will need: paper/card, a wide range of craft materials.
- Another way to speak of God’s outrageous love is ‘grace’. In his well-known hymn, John Newton does just this. It includes the phrase ‘Once I was lost but now I am found’.
- Read and/or listen to ‘Amazing grace’. While doing so, recall a time when you felt lost then found – what were the different emotions you experienced? Using the craft materials, find a creative way to express those feelings and.
E S
A simple worship activity
A prayer for outrageous love.
- Give everyone three strands of wool, each a different colour. Choose one colour to represent saying ‘yes’ to God’s outrageous love. Choose another to represent loyalty, and the third will represent curiosity. Knot the three strands together at one end, then plait them.
- Encourage people to use their plait as a reminder that we need all three of the qualities the colours represent to follow Jesus. Invite them to think about how those qualities play out in their lives, or should or could do so. Finish with this prayer:
Loving God, our father and mother,
thank you for your outrageous love,
welcoming us all home.
We are sorry for our lostness.
Give us a new start each morning,
and help us to be open and welcoming to one another.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
W E S
