The Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan(latest) 2020/2021

Questions: 1. How does the youngest son demonstrate a lack of love and appreciation for his father, as a person and father, at the beginning of the story? 2. How does this same son demonstrate a lack of res ...

Questions: 1. How does the youngest son demonstrate a lack of love and appreciation for his father, as a person and father, at the beginning of the story? 2. How does this same son demonstrate a lack of respect and appreciation for his inheritance – and by extension, the privilege the son has as the son of a wealthy and respected father? 3. What is the significance, do you think, of the fact that the wayward son is shown to hit rock-bottom when he is sharing a bed and food with pigs? (Hint: he is a Jewish young man…) 4. What is the significance, do you think, of Luke 15:17, which says “But he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger?’” What does it mean by “he came to himself”? What is the importance of this son’s realization of who he is by virtue of being the son of his father? 5.Many, including your instructor, believe that the most important and moving line of this important and moving story is verse 20: “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” What does it suggest his father must have been doing, if he saw his son at a distance? 6. Too often, the sole focus of readers of this parable is on the younger son who egregiously and blatantly disrespected his father by demanding his inheritance, squandering it, and living a sinful life. Little attention is often paid to the older brother, who declares himself to have been perfectly obedient and righteous, and who is (like Jonah!) angry when his father forgives and continues to love the younger brother who sinned.