TOPIC OR PASSAGE: The Prodigal Son GROUP TYPE: Home cell group SESSION LENGTH: 60 minutes ICEBREAKER What is the most memorable welcome home moment you have ever experienced or witnessed? HISTORICAL & CULTURAL BACKGROUND Luke 15 was spoken by Jesus in response to Pharisees criticising Him for eating with sinners. In Jewish culture a son demanding his inheritance early was equal to wishing his father dead. The father running to meet his son would have shocked every listener. SCRIPTURE PASSAGE Luke 15:11–24 (NIV) 11 — Jesus continued: There was a man who had two sons... 24 — For this son of mine was dead and is alive again. So they began to celebrate. 5 OBSERVATION QUESTIONS 1. What did the younger son ask his father for and what did the father do? [v11-12] 2. What caused the son to come to his senses and return home? [v17-18] 3. How did the father respond when he saw his son returning? [v20] 4. What specific things did the father give his returning son? [v22-23] 5. What reason did the father give for the celebration? [v24] 5 INTERPRETATION QUESTIONS 1. What does the father running toward his son tell us about God's character? 2. Why do you think Jesus told this story to people criticising Him? 3. What does the robe, ring, and sandals represent in this cultural context? 4. What does it mean that the son was dead and is now alive again? 5. How does this story redefine what repentance and restoration look like? 5 APPLICATION QUESTIONS 1. Is there an area of your life where you have wandered from God's plan? 2. What has been stopping you from returning fully to the Father? 3. How does knowing God runs toward you change the way you pray this week? 4. Who in your life needs you to show this same kind of extravagant grace? 5. What one step will you take this week to move closer to the Father? MEMORY VERSE Luke 15:20 — So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. CLOSING CHALLENGE Each person writes on a card one thing they are bringing back to God this week. Cards are prayed over together then taken home as a weekly reminder of this session. FACILITATOR NOTES Central theme: God's grace is greater than our shame. Handle sensitive sharing around family breakdown with care. Watch timing — Application questions may run long. If group gets off track, return to the father's response , not the son's failure. That is the real story.