Acerca del autor

Timothy J. Keller (1950–2023) was the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, cofounder of Redeemer City to City, and the author of numerous books, including The Reason for God, The Prodigal God, and The Meaning of Marriage. His thirty-one books have sold over six million copies and have been translated into twenty-nine languages.

De la contraportada

Two sons, one who kept the rules religiously and one who broke them all. One Father who loved both lost sons beyond anything they could imagine. Discover how deep and far God's grace goes in The Prodigal God

The Prodigal God discussion guide will help you uncover, personalize, and apply life-changing insights from The Prodigal God DVD and book.

In six captivating sessions, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller opens your eyes to the powerful message of Jesus' best-known--and least understood--parable. The Prodigal God is a revelation of the very heart of the gospel: God's radical love for sinners of every kind.

Taking you beyond the traditional focus on the wayward younger son, Keller helps you glean insights from each of the characters in Jesus' parable: the irreligious younger son, the moralistic elder son, and the Father who lavishes his love on both.

Inside this guide, you'll explore questions for group discussion and personal reflection, and exercises that will help you experience the truths of Jesus' parable in your own life.

The gospel is neither religion nor irreligion, but something else entirely. Whether you're a devout believer or a skeptic, The Prodigal God will challenge you to see Christianity in a whole new way.

Session titles include the following:
The Parable

The People Around Jesus

The Two Lost Sons

The Elder Brother
The True Elder Brother

The Feast of the Father

Designed for use with The Prodigal God DVD and book.

Fragmento. © Reproducción autorizada. Todos los derechos reservados.

The Prodigal God Discussion Guide

Zondervan

Contents

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32.......................................8Introduction.............................................11Session One The Parable.................................13Session Two The People Around Jesus.....................21Session Three The Two Lost Sons.........................31Session Four The Elder Brother..........................41Session Five The True Elder Brother.....................51Session Six The Feast of the Father.....................59Further Reading..........................................67Acknowledgments..........................................69Additional Notes: Idolatry...............................71

Chapter One

In Preparation

* If time allows, begin with some form of worship; for example, sing a song or read a psalm aloud.

* As you begin this series, pray that God would grant you a fresh understanding of the gospel and that you and your group would be enlightened and helped by the parable.

* Briefly answer the following questions aloud: What was your reason for coming to this study? Have you read The Prodigal God book?

* Read Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 aloud (you can find this Scripture on pages 8-9 of this guide), then watch The Prodigal God Film (38 minutes). There is room to take notes on the following page.

Group Discussion Questions

1. Was there anything from the DVD that was new to you or had an effect on you? Did you hear anything that raised questions in your mind?

2. Who do you identify with more, the younger brother or the elder brother? Why?

3. How close is a great feast to your idea of heaven?

4. Is there anything you would like the group to pray for you personally or as a result of what you saw on the DVD?

In Closing

* Pray for each other in light of your answers to question 4.

* If possible, allow time for the group to have coffee or a meal together, in order to deepen relationships with one another.

* Over the next five sessions we will be reading The Prodigal God book and discussing it together. Before the next session please read the Introduction and Chapter One. As you read, keep track of, underline, or mark (e.g., with a "?" or "!") anything you would like to discuss, question, or comment on when we next meet. There is room to take notes on the following pages.

SESSION ONE NOTES FOR LEADERS

Question 1

Your group may have questions after watching the DVD that will be answered in greater depth when they have read The Prodigal God book and worked through the questions in this guide. It is not necessary to answer all the comments and questions in great detail at this point.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from The Prodigal God Discussion Guideby Timothy Keller Copyright © 2009 by Redeemer City to City. Excerpted by permission.
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