Parish Church of St. Barnabas, Swanland - Sharing Christ through friendship.
Group notes w/beg. Sun. 15/6/14 (Trinity Sunday/ Father’s Day).
Bible texts: 1 John 3:1-13; Luke 15:11-end - Sharing the Father’s Welcome
Welcome
Growing up, were you more the ‘happy wanderer’ type (keen to see the world) or the
‘stay at home and be helpful’ type? How about others in your family?
Worship ideas
Worship suggestions: SOF 19 / 1702 Amazing Grace; 278 I will sing the wondrous story; 533 The
King of love my shepherd is; 780 How deep the Father’s love for us; 895 Lord I come to you
(NB: 20 files containing about 30 newer songs are available to borrow from the lounge for groups)
Word (refs.↓)
Check the church website www.stbchurch.org.uk (click on the ‘downloads’ tab) for Sunday’s sermon.
Read
Luke
15:11-end
Look at v.3 – who are the people Jesus told this parable to (see vv.1-2)? What groups
today might correspond to ‘tax-collectors and “sinners” ’ (on the one hand), and
‘Pharisees and teachers of the law’ (on the other)?
This week’s notes use a multiple-choice approach. Each one should try to choose their
preferred answer - then be prepared to discuss your findings as a group.
1. Why do you think the first son decided to leave home?
a) to grow up
c) to get away from his father’s values
b) to get away from his older brother
d) some other reason
2. What was it that caused him to come to his senses?
a) feeling sorry for himself
c) hunger/ desperation
b) realisation that he was stupid
d) some other reason
3) When the first son returned home what was his father’s attitude?
a) come on in but you’re grounded
d) some other response
b) I don’t approve of what you’ve done, but you are still my son
c) welcome home son, I love you
4) When the older brother heard music and dancing, what was his attitude?
a) it’s unfair
d) don’t expect me to forgive him
b) what’s the use of being good?
e) I knew this would happen
c) he wasted his inheritance and now he’ll waste mine
5) If you compare your spiritual journey to that of the first son, where are you now?
a) at home, but not too happy
d) on my way home, but not sure what I’ll find
b) in a far country
e) I’ve just arrived home and feel great
c) coming to my senses
f) enjoying the fatted calf and the party
Reflect: How would you counter the view that this parable makes salvation seem too easy
to attain (the ‘scandal of grace’)? Could Jesus’ ministry be seen as an example of doing
what the older brother failed to do – seeking and saving the lost? (More on this theme in
Tim Keller’s book ‘The Prodigal God’ inspired by Edmund Clowney’s sermon, ‘Sharing the
Father’s Welcome’ – see at www.crossway.org/blog/2008/10/7/ - 2nd entry).
Witness
Pray
 for your mission link; for those you know who have lost their way; for those you
could be inviting to the Alpha supper on 20th September
Plan
 a group social (garden party/ barbecue/ outing, etc.) to which you can invite
those who are not yet committed Christians
FS SGN 15-6-14