Salvation

Memory Verse

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NIV

Intro

Question: Can you think of a time in your life when you have had to be rescued?  

My Story: Share a personal story of when someone came to your rescue.

Discuss: What do you think is meant by the phrase “God’s gift of salvation”?

Bible Story | The rebellious son and the loving father

In your own words, tell the story found in Luke 15:11-24.

Luke 15:20-24 | What do we learn about God from this story?  

Note: The same steps the son makes in his journey back home are the ones we must make in our journey to heaven. 

exploring the bible

Step 1 – Need. Luke 18:9-14 | Realise that we need God’s help.

Step 2 – Turn. Acts 2:37-39 | Turn away from sin and turn to Jesus.

Step 3 – Confess. 1 John 1:9 | Confess your sins and ask God to forgive you. 

Step 4 – Believe. John 3:16, 1 John 5:13 | Trust your life to Jesus and know that you have eternal life.

Fun Facts

In Jesus’ day, running was generally considered something children did. Older, respected men, like the father in the story, would not normally run. One reason was that they wore long robes. To run, a man would have to lift the front of his robe and expose his legs, which was considered shameful in that culture. But in Jesus’ story, the Bible says that the father “ran to his son” (Luke 15:20). He was so full of love and joy that he set aside any concern for his own dignity. When he reached his son, he threw his arms around him and covered him with kisses. What a beautiful picture of God’s love!

LIVING IT

Decide: Would you like to live forever with Jesus?

Dear God,

Thank you for being like the loving father in our story.

I recognise my need of you and want you in my life.

Forgive me for the times I have done wrong. Change me to be more like you.

Thank you for the gift of eternal life. I put my trust in you.

Amen.