Define the Relationship

Section 3

Jesus told a great story to help us understand our relationship with God.  In this story he used the image of a father and his relationship with his sons.  In the next three parts of this course you will hear Tim Keller teach on this famous story.  Tim is a Bible teacher and former pastor of a thriving church in New York City.   In these sections you will discover how to have a healthy and vibrant relationship with God as you learn to see him as your loving Father and to see yourself as his loved son or daughter.

Before watching the teaching video, take a moment to read the story Jesus told. You can find it in your Bible in Luke 15:11-32. If you don’t have a Bible you can read it here.

Reflection Questions

Thinking about this powerful story, take some time to reflect on the story and apply it to your own life by answering the following questions.

How do you feel about the younger son as he leaves home?

What evidence in the story shows that the son is truly sorry for how he has treated his father?

Jesus tells us this story to demonstrate how God, the ultimate Father, treats us when we “come home” to him. What do you learn about God from this story?

Does this story portray God differently than how you view him? How can this story help you to properly define your relationship with God?

If you were the son in this story, which part of the father’s response would mean the most to you?

The Bible tells us that "we all, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to our own way." In other words, we are ALL younger brothers who need to come home to the Father. How has your life resembled the life and choices of the younger brother?

Take a few minutes and talk to God about how you, like the younger brother, have made bad decisions and would like to come home. You can pray silently, out loud, or you can even write your prayer in a journal, like a letter to God.