Last Tuesday we read along with Tim Keller, who defines sin not simply as doing wrong, but also conforming and obeying from wrong motives. The author sees the elder brother in the parable as a moral conformist and the younger brother as following the way of self-discovery – He concludes that both want their father’s possessions, but not his heart. While both are estranged from him, the younger son returns in a story that certainly surprised (and insulted) Jesus’ religious listeners:
At the end of the story the lover of prostitutes is saved, but the man of moral rectitude is still lost.
Here are a few of the questions we considered:
- Would you agree that there is a stark division between “moral conformists” and “pioneers” in our culture? Do you think people who take these two approaches to life can find justification for their philosophy in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles?
- In what ways are the hearts of the younger and older brother alike?
- What is the radical alternative Tim Keller teases us with on page 33?
- What is the project that everyone is involved in, regardless of the approach to God?
- How is the gospel distinct from other ways that people seek to relate to God?
- Do you think, in the words of the author, we should “be there every time the church door opens?”
December 17th, 2009 at 10:38 am
The women’s study in Luke produced these same questions as we read through the parable of the Prodigal Son.
I thought it was an interesting study to focus on the older brother instead of the younger brother.
Something to consider:
In verse 15:30, we read the older son say to his father “30 But when this son of yours came…”
We all found it worthy of notice that the older son said “This son of yours” instead of identifying his own relationship with the younger son…”My brother”.
We spent a lot of time pondering how we, as older brothers, often disassociate ourselves or remove ourselves from our so called “weaker brothers”.
~Sadie
December 17th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
That’s a fruitful vein, I think. Sometimes spending time with younger brothers is annoying — just ask my older sisters
But, it’s what Jesus would have us do… not disown our siblings… rather:
Romans 15:1 -3 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.”
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:40 am
Thanks for that Romans scripture!
I was looking for more companion scriptures. I did come up with Romans
14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
This will be a good study for me. (I’m a literal older sister and I have many “little sisters” in our church family.)
December 26th, 2009 at 9:02 am
These are the Scriptures that mean so much to love and good will in the family of God. I think these are an important ingredient in mentoring, because we have to learn how to listen and speak to one another, if there will be further and deeper instruction on doctrines, differences and personal holiness.