Insights Into The Prodigal Son (A Bible Study)
The story of the Prodigal Son is a tale about many things: the ignorance of youth, the impact of disrespect; it’s about selfish desires and wrong decisions, but it’s also about growing up, finding humility, and realising what’s really important in life; it’s a story about making amends for your mistakes, and about the struggle between being offended and showing mercy.
This story shows how priorities change throughout life, and how the difficulties we face often help us to clarify the things that are of eternal value over those that are merely temporary. It’s a story showing the contrast between death and resurrection, between hope and despair, and between rejection and reconciliation. It shows the love of a father, the vulnerability of being a parent, and the importance of placing our children in God’s hands.
Insights Into The Prodigal Son (A Bible Study)
This timeless story, which captures the complexity of many family struggles, has resonated powerfully with successive generations. Insights Into The Prodigal Son (A Bible Study) explores the challenges of modern family life in the light of God's amazing love.
The Story of the Prodigal Son
Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’
“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”
(Luke 15:11-32)
Word Study
Prodigal (Greek) asótós:
Recklessly, wastefully, prodigally, dissolutely
The meaning of Dissolute: (describing a person or a way of life) overindulging in sensual pleasures:
(Luke 15:18)
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
The Cultural Impact of the Prodigal's Request
According to ancient Jewish custom, an inheritance is only distributed after the father's death. By demanding it early, the son showed extreme disrespect and prioritized money over his family.
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)
The Context Of This Story Is Also Important
To understand the lessons Jesus wanted us to learn, we need to look initially at the context of this story. (Read Luke Chapter 15)
Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” (Luke 15:1-2)
Jesus was accosted by the Pharisees (the religious hierarchy of the day) about His continued fraternizing with those who were not walking with God. In response to this, Jesus spoke about 3 different situations that revealed the worth of every human life in the sight of God.
The lost sheep is a story about a man
The lost coin is a story about a woman
The lost son is a story about family life
The chapter reveals an ever-increasing value of importance:
The man lost 1% of his flock; the woman lost 10% of her money, but the father had lost 50% of his children.
We also see an escalation in importance defined by what was lost
An Animal
2. A Coin
A Person
The Joyful Response Of Those Who Found What Was Lost
The man goes searching in the wilderness for the one SHEEP
Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost! (Luke 15:6)
The woman lights a lamp and searches carefully for the one Coin
‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ (Luke 15:9)
The Father trusts in God by believing for the return of one Son
It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ (Luke 15:32)
Although the story does not explicitly describe the father’s investment in prayer, trust, and hope for his son’s return, these qualities are evident in his reaction when he finally sees him approaching. His response reveals a heart that had continued to believe in God’s mercy and grace to make a way for his son to come home.
I wonder how many hours the father had spent before the Throne of God in prayer and intercession for his wayward son.
But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him (Luke 15:20)
Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ (Luke 15:22-24)
In a later section of this teaching, we provide encouraging scriptures and biblical insights to help you develop your faith and practice believing prayer for the return of your children.
The Heavenly Perspective
Heaven sees differently than earth sees; this story defines the eternal worth of a human life, reveals the need for and value of repentance, and brings the heavenly struggle for the souls of men back to its most basic form: family life.
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)
Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son (Luke 15:21)
It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ (Luke 15:32)
The father considered his prodigal son spiritually dead and lost, but that does not mean that he stopped caring about him and praying for him. Mankind has been spiritually dead and lost since the fall in the garden of Eden, when we chose to do our own thing and to live our own way, separated from our Heavenly Father. Being restored into a loving relationship with God through faith in Jesus feels like coming back from the dead and into eternal life.
The Prodigal Son
The Prodigal Son In A Distant Land
Many Christian parents have experienced this heartache. We raise our children as faithfully as we can in the church, hoping they will follow our example and continue in the faith. Yet some eventually turn away from Christianity and embrace the ways of the world. If this has happened to you, know that you are not alone.
Nevertheless, we must not allow our present circumstances to condemn us or convince us that we have failed. The accuser of the brethren fires his darts to keep us discouraged and defeated, hindering us from rising into the God-given authority we exercise through prayer.
Many people in Scripture faced difficult circumstances, yet overcame them by trusting in God’s power and purposes rather than relying solely on their own strength.
The Second Born Son
He may not have been the firstborn, but he was still a son. The prodigal son failed to appreciate the blessings he had and set out in search of adventure, hoping to find fulfilment through pleasure and new experiences. His gullibility was exploited: although he was briefly the life of the party, he was eventually abandoned when his money ran out.
Sometimes the love we feel for our children compels us to go after them, and although this may have been right and responsible when they were little, it no longer applies. As parents, we realise they are now adults; we must let them exercise their God-given free will and choose their own future and path in life. Often, as parents, we only want to get our children home safe and away from danger, but we should understand that God's plan for their life is more powerful and farsighted, addressing both physical and eternal matters.
I have never found this easy to do, because of my own experiences growing up, but I believe God is far more able and wise than we are, and worthy of our trust. As parents, we know far more of the world than our children, and understand firsthand that it can be a very dangerous place. However, this does not change the faithfulness and power of Almighty God, our Heavenly Father. He brought us to Himself first, and is well able to make a way for our child's return as well!
The Drought That God Sent
Often, when we begin to pray for our wayward children, circumstances may seem to get worse before they get better; however, God has a plan for your child’s salvation. God's plan must unfold in His timing and according to His ways for its eternal purpose to be fulfilled.
God arranged circumstances to help the prodigal son come to himself. The prodigal son might have lost all his money, but he had still kept the attitude that separated him from heaven and his family. Then God sent a drought!
We see the goodness and care of our Heavenly Father in many aspects of life. Yet one of His more surprising ways is allowing circumstances to worsen temporarily so that they may ultimately become far better for eternity.
A really difficult time in life can actually become the very thing that makes our life wonderful again, but only if we learn from it.
His journey into the far country may have begun with excitement and promise, but it soon descended into hardship, shame, and loss.
The Prodigal's Journey
And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. (Luke 15:13)
The prodigal son journeyed to a distant country, where his family could not see the waywardness taking root in his heart. Feelings of shame can serve as signposts, prompting us to acknowledge what we truly believe to be right and to accept personal responsibility for living according to those values.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (Luke 15:17)
The famine that swept through the land exposed his vulnerability. The circumstances he faced both shamed and humbled him: he found himself starving in a field among pigs—animals considered ceremonially unclean in the culture in which he had been raised. God sometimes uses difficult circumstances to bring us to our senses, helping us confront the deeper realities of life and eternity.
Hitting rock bottom is often the most effective place to start rebuilding your life.
I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” (Luke 15:18-19)
The father’s love for his prodigal son had never wavered. Yet he understood that he had to entrust him to God’s care, trusting that, in time, his son might return free from the attitudes and hindrances he had carried with him.
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ (Luke 15:20-21)
In this beautiful story, we encounter the difficulties and heartbreak that many families face in modern life. Yet we also discover a message of hope: relationships can be restored, the lost can be found, and lives that were spiritually dead can be resurrected for eternity.
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:22-24)
Question:
A question we need to ask ourselves as parents is:
Will we get out of God's way and let Him do what He needs to do to bring an eternally pleasing outcome?
The Firstborn
The 'Double Portion' Inheritance Rites Of The Firstborn Son
The concept of the firstborn son receiving a "double portion" originates from ancient Near Eastern customs and the Law of Moses. Under this biblical principle, the eldest son was legally entitled to twice the inheritance of any other brother, along with the responsibility of becoming the head of the family
(Deuteronomy 21:15-17)
“If a man has two wives, one loved and the other unloved, and they have borne him children, both the loved and the unloved, and if the firstborn son is of her who is unloved, then it shall be, on the day he bequeaths his possessions to his sons, that he must not bestow firstborn status on the son of the loved wife in preference to the son of the unloved, the true firstborn. But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
The firstborn son in the story of the prodigal son personifies faithfulness, responsibility, and reliability; these are certainly the qualities required as the future head and owner of the property. His little brother left him alone to carry the weight and responsibility of running the estate, and rather than both of them working side by side to see the increase together, the firstborn son was left working in the field alone.
The property as a whole suffered a substantial financial loss when the younger son claimed his inheritance early, cashed it out, and departed for an adventurous life in a foreign land.
The second-born son rejected duty and responsibility, choosing instead to live a prodigal life according to his own desires.
Many young people enjoy travel and adventure, which can deepen their understanding and appreciation of the world—provided they can individually afford it. Earning your own money, whether through employment or running a business, reflects personal responsibility. By contrast, living lavishly on wealth earned by your parents may lead others to view you as irresponsible and merely a trust-fund beneficiary.
Sibling Relationships In Family Life
Sibling relationships can often be challenging, especially in a culture that increasingly promotes self-interest. The older brother, too, had important lessons to learn from this story. Would he cling to his bitterness over being abandoned by his brother, or would he follow his father’s example by extending forgiveness and embracing restoration?
The Firstborn Son's Reaction
“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ (Luke 15:25-30)
The Questions
The story ends with the father pleading with the firstborn to forgive his brother and restore their relationship, while clarifying that everything on their estate belongs to him alone. How did it end? Did the firstborn forgive? Was his relationship with his brother restored?
The Answer to this Story's Questions
The answer to the real question is found in our personal response to this story.
If we were the firstborn son, would we forgive?
Would we restore our relationship with our brother?
Or would we hang onto our bitterness?
The Firstborn Son And Martha
The firstborn son only remembered that the prodigal left him to do all the work, while he went off partying. His perspective was like Martha’s; Martha could only see that she was forced to do more work because her sister Mary was sitting down at Jesus' feet enjoying herself.
(Luke 10:38-42)
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."
In this passage, Jesus clarified that some things are more important than our daily work and responsibilities—including listening to God and responding appropriately to His love.
Question: How do we receive new members in the church?
Do we rejoice as the father did in the story, or do we judge them as sinners like the Pharisees? How would we perceive them if they were our own precious children who had been lost and then restored?
The Father
The Vulnerability Of Parenthood
Parenthood is not for cowards, because being a parent means being vulnerable, and living daily in emotional exposure requires great courage if we are to be successful. Being a parent will cost you financially; it will stretch you emotionally and mentally; and there may even be times when you regret becoming a parent.
However, it is often the things that have cost us the most in life that in the end, we cherish the most. And so it is with children; their worth in the sight of a loving parent is beyond compare, and to many, they are the greatest investment and return a man can achieve on this earth.
All the sleepless hours, the early mornings and late nights, helping with their homework, years of driving them to the after-school training sessions, to school musical rehearsals,
being the calming voice during the sibling squabbles, is all totally worth it in the end.
Because as parents, we get to feel the pride of seeing them improve and achieve after working hard, and the joy of seeing them happy and hopeful. We enjoy the comfort of hugs and kisses before they walk out the door on another adventure; we get to watch them grow over the years from tiny babies into confident, caring adults. These are the benefits that only parents can receive and appreciate.
Jacob's Vulnerability
The man Jacob is known as one of the biblical patriarchs. He was one of the three men that God chose to make an everlasting covenant with, a covenant which, even today, we in Christ benefit from. God eventually changed Jacob's name to Israel, and with the name change came a changed destiny. Jacob became Israel, the namesake of the modern nation of the Jewish people.
(Exodus 3:6)
Moreover, He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
Jacob had 12 sons, and the son that he loved most, the son of his old age, was Joseph. He made Joseph a coat of many colours, declaring him openly as the heir apparent, but this angered Jacob's other sons, and their hatred caused them to sell him secretly to slave traders who were heading to Egypt.
(Genesis 37:3)
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also, he made him a tunic of many colors
In this story found in the book of Genesis, Jacob's sons hid what they had done out of envy toward their brother, and delivered Joseph's torn, blood-stained coat to their father, saying, 'We found this in the wilderness; could it be Joseph's?'
Jacob’s Grief Over Seeing Joseph’s Torn Coat.
Losing a child can be a devastating experience for any parent, and Jacob, having 'lost' Joseph, his favourite son, took it very hard.
(Genesis 37:31-35)
So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?” And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, “For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.
(Genesis 42:38)
But he said, “My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead, and he is left alone. If any calamity should befall him along the way in which you go, then you would bring down my gray hair with sorrow to the grave.”
(Genesis 45:26-28)
And they told him, saying, “Joseph is still alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt.” And Jacob’s heart stood still, because he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words which Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived. Then Israel said, “It is enough. Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
However, after many years of profound grief over the loss of his son Joseph, Jacob was astonished to discover that Joseph was still alive—and had risen to become a powerful ruler in Egypt.
A Discussion on Free Will
God made man with free will, the ability to choose and decide his own path in life. Check out my previous blog: Exploring The Afterlife for more insights into free will and God's justice.
Conclusion:
The Heavenly Process Of Salvation
In my experience, although our children must ultimately make their own decision about Jesus Christ, our faith in God’s power and wisdom can play a vital role in helping to bring them home again.
The Holy Spirit Working In The Hearts Of Our Children
Convicting them of:
Sin, of Righteousness, and of Judgment
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (John 16:7-11)
All three areas are required for a person to both experience and fully appreciate the salvation Jesus Christ won for us through His death, burial, and resurrection.
Only by addressing the eternal aspects of life can we strengthen our children’s lives and rebuild them on a foundation that endures forever.
Scriptures To Help Your Understanding
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:36-37)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” (Mark 4:26-29)
Scriptures To Personalise and Pray Daily Over Your Child
Example:
Lord, I thank you that your word is shining on (your child's name) feet, lighting their path in life and guiding them safely home and back to You.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. (Psalms 119:105)
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. (Psalms 86:5)
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19)
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds. (Psalms 147:3)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
A man’s heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)
The LORD your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)
Three Things We Can Be Sure Of Biblically
God Loves Your Children And Wants Them To Be Saved
God Has A Plan To Facilitate Their Salvation
Aligning Ourselves With God's Plan Through Faith Will Assist It To Happen
If you found this helpful and encouraging
God Bless
John Nolan
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