The Kiss of Grace

The events conveyed in verse 12 appear simple and straightforward. Discuss how applying the cultural context can give us a much fuller interpretation of how Jesus’ hearers understood the story he was telling.

Contrast what should have happened in that time and place versus what the father actually did in v. 12. What does this reveal about the father’s heart?

Read vv. 13-16 and discuss the details of the son’s demise. Share your own stories of how your walking away, squandering, and selling out have resulted in you being “jealous of pigs.”

In v. 17 we see how hunger may have brought clarity to the son’s thinking, but what thoughts of confession in 18 and 19 show a sincere repentance of heart? Discuss how your repentance often arises only after realizing the foolishness and dissatisfaction of living apart from the Father. (“The end of me is not the enemy…” – Jason Gray)

Read vv. 20-24 and this quote from C. H. Spurgeon:
“I understand it now; I see how He kisses all my sin away; and when it rises, He kisses it away again; and when I think of it with shame, He gives me another kiss; and when I blush all over at the remembrance of my evil deeds, he kisses me again and again, to assure me that I am fully and freely forgiven.”

At what point did the father begin to extend welcoming grace – before or after confession was made? Discuss the marvelously radical implications of this key point in both the parable and in your life.

The parable hearers, the son, the father, the village, and even we ourselves know that the son’s actions require justice, consequences, and repayment of debt. What/Who is the foundation of God’s inexhaustible grace?

Take some time to flesh out the rich Gospel parallels from the beginning to end of this text, and rejoice in the full and free forgiveness found in Jesus – the perfect Son!