Open Invitation

KEY VERSES:

• Luke 15:1–32
• Isaiah 1:4
• Romans 10:9–10
• Ephesians 2:19
• John 11:25
• Romans 6:23

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Luke 15:1–2: Religious leaders complain that Jesus eats with “sinners.”
• Three Parables: The lost sheep (wandering), the lost coin (helpless), and the lost sons (rebellion and resentment) reveal God’s heart for the lost.
• Isaiah 1:4: The progression of sin—forsake, spurn, turn. All of us drift from God in different ways.
• Luke 15:20–32: The father pursues both sons—offering restoration to the younger, and invitation to the older.
• Character of the Father: Absorbs shame, initiates relationship, affirms identity, dignifies the child, and offers full access.
• The Ending: The story ends without resolution—because your next step writes it.
• The Church’s Call: Will we reflect the Father’s heart or act like the older brother?

TALK ABOUT IT:

1. Which brother do you relate to most right now—and how does that show up in your life?
2. What do the father’s actions tell you about God’s character?
3. How have you experienced the “forsake, spurn, turn” cycle in your own spiritual journey?
4. Is there anything keeping you from fully joining God’s celebration of grace?
5. How does your view of God affect your response to shame, failure, or comparison?
6. What would it look like for our church to reflect the Father’s heart?
7. Who in your life needs to be reminded that they have an open invitation to come home?

APPLY IT:

• Reflect on which brother you relate to most right now—are you running or just religious?
• Let go of the pressure to clean yourself up before coming to God—He runs to meet you.
• Be aware of spiritual drift: comfort over conviction, performance over presence.
• Celebrate grace—especially when it's hard, because we didn't deserve it either.
• Embrace your identity as a child of God, not just a servant doing tasks.
• Think about someone who's “lost” and ask how you can reflect the Father to them.