How Is Keller’s interpretation different from what you were taught about the parable, and do you agree with his assessment?

But he does nothing of the kind. He invites the older brother to come into the feast — in other words, he extends the older brother forgiveness and grace. Jesus’ hearers listened to find out what happened, but Jesus stopped the story. He had nothing else to say because he was inviting the Pharisees and religious people to join in the feast, and he waited to see their response.

Act One: Scene One: The Shocking Request

Act 1 begins with a short but shocking request. The younger son comes to the father and says, “Give me my share of the estate.”

1. Why is this request so shocking? 2. How did the father respond to the request? 3. What did the father have to do to give his younger son his inheritance? 4. The definition of prodigal is reckless, extravagant, having spent everything. What is the result of the father being “prodigal” to his younger son? 5. Reflect on the ways God is “prodigal” to you?

Act One: Scene Two: The Younger Brother’s Plan

The younger son receives his money, moves away, and loses all his inheritance. Reduced to working on a pig farm he devises a plan to return to his father.

1. Describe the younger son’s plan 2. The son’s plan is to become a hired man for his father. Describe what is a hired man and how this will change the younger son’s relationship with his father.

Act One: Scene Three: The Younger Brother Comes Home

1. Why is the act of the father’s running when he sees the younger son considered “prodigal”? 2. Keller indicates that many commentators say that the father accepting the son back contradicts traditional “Christian doctrine about the atonement of sin.” If grace is freely “prodigally” given, who pays for the grace? 3. As a disciple of Christ think of a time when you have been “prodigal” with your grace. Consider, is being prodigal with our grace the right thing to do?

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