Luke 15 contains three parables, and the themes are repentance and joy. The third parable about the prodigal son does something different than the previous two. Instead of using the words repent and joy, we get to see repentance and joy demonstrated by the father and son. The son is never said to repent, but we get an answer to the question, "What does repentance look like?" by examining his actions. This allows us to draw out wonderful lessons about to apply to our lives.

https://youtu.be/4h1Guo_f6Ro

The prodigal son is never said to repent, but we get an answer to the question, "What does repentance look like?" by examining his actions.

Table of ContentsFamily Worship GuideSermon NotesGenuine repentance (Lesson One) seeks to return to the Father.Genuine repentance (Lesson Two) takes responsibilityGenuine repentance (Lesson Three) uses the word, “sin.”.Genuine repentance (Lesson Four) knows the sin is against God.Genuine repentance (Lesson Five) accepts the consequences of sin.Genuine repentance (Lesson Six) produces a change in direction.Genuine repentance (Lesson Seven) gives hope.

Family Worship Guide

Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions:

Day 1: Luke 15:18, 2 Samuel 12:13 cf. 1 Samuel 13:11-12, 15:15-16—Why was the son finally willing to return to his father? What application does this have for us? What are some mistakes we make with our confessions that the son avoided?

Day 2: Genesis 39:8-9, Psalm 51:3-4, Luke 15:19—What did the son do in his confession that was worth imitating? How is the world removing the word sin from our vernacular? Why is all sin against God even when it looks like we are sinning against someone else?

Day 3: 15:15-16 cf. Luke 15:17-19—What does it mean that we can be forgiven but still have consequences? Can you provide some examples? In what ways did the son show that he was willing to accept the consequences of his sin? In what ways does repentance give hope?

Sermon Notes

The title of this morning’s sermon is, “What Does Repentance Look Like?”

On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse and we find ourselves at Luke 15:18. Please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word. We will start at verse 11 for context.

Luke 15:11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

You may be seated. Let’s pray.

Look at verse 18…

Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

Notice the words, “I will set out and go back to my father.”

And this brings us to lesson one…

Genuine repentance (Lesson One) seeks to return to the Father.

It seems like the son tried going just about every other place he could. He was even willing to hire himself out to a Gentile and feed his pigs.

But, finally,