Tonight we are gathering to discuss the father in the parable. Please read through chapters 7-9 of Henri Nouwen’s book The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming and chapter 4 of Kenneth Bailey’s The Cross and the Prodigal. If you have time today, please read the other parables of Luke 15. At the end of each of these parables, the main character goes to their neighbors and says rejoice with me for that which was lost has been found. One of the great themes throughout the Scriptures is one of rejoicing. From the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:58) to the wedding in Cana (John 2) to the rejoicing at the final victory of Christ (Rev. 20), the people of God are called to rejoice. Therefore, as you read through the parable again, see how the father calls his sons and the entire village to rejoice and think about how we, as the Church, are called to this rejoicing.
Dinner is at 6. The menu is beef bulgogi. Discussion about 6:45. Hope to see you here.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7