“Jesus’s story might best be named the Parable of the Two Lost Sons. It is a drama in two acts, with Act 1 entitled ‘The Lost Younger Brother’ and Act 2 ‘The Lost Elder Brother.’” Tim Keller
Did you learn anything new about this parable in Tim Keller’s description of the process the father must have gone through to give the younger son his portion of the estate?
On page 20, there is a brief description of Middle Eastern society as it relates to the parable. Do you think Jesus’ hearers made the connection that God was pictured in the character of the father and, if so, do you think it revealed anything new to them about the nature of God? How about you?
Pages 23-25 describe in vivid detail “the prodigality of God’s grace.” As I read, a number of Scriptures came to my mind. What verses or passages came to mind as you read along?
When the older brother disrespects and humiliates the father, what does that say about his years of obedience and reverence for his father, family and community?
When we come to the end of the story and are waiting for some sort of resolution, Jesus leaves them (and us) hanging. To quote the author, “Why doesn’t Jesus finish the story and tell us what happened?” 2000 years later, do we know what happened?
This Tuesday, we will be discussing the first chapter and I came up with a few questions, as well as a couple from the discussion guide. Some of these questions are meant to be considered and answered privately.
- The parable is traditionally referred to as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Who is Jesus really speaking to and how did you come to that conclusion?
- Was it a revelation to you that the first Christians were called atheists? How do you think we differ from those first believers and how are we alike?
- Do you think it’s a true statement that “people like Jesus, but not the church?” If so, why do you think the church in America is so unlikeable?
- If you agreed that “people like Jesus, but not the church,” do you think you might part of the problem?
- Do you think our Christian institutions, our buildings and programs are a barrier to the “younger brothers” in our culture? What do you think our attitude to such things should be?
- How can we be more inviting to the “broken and marginalized” around us?
- Tim Keller shifts from Jesus and His attraction to “younger brothers” to ask if our churches are inviting to those outside the faith? Do you think that is a valid question – I mean, do Jesus and His church serve identical roles?
- What do you think about a Church, where a crowd of “younger brothers” always seems to be around? Would you consider it a healthy Church or a “worldly” one?
- How do you resolve the tension between Jesus’ frequent rebuke of obedient, religious, “older brothers” in the Gospels and Scriptures like Matthew 5:20 when He says, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven?” (ESV)
Continue reading about The Prodigal God: The People Around Jesus
This Tuesday we will begin reading and discussing Tim Keller’s book, The Prodigal God. It’s a nice change-up from the more technical books we’ve been reading at Java John’s and I think it will be helpful to a wider audience. Please feel free to join us in reading and dialogue online or in our gatherings. Don’t panic if you haven’t gotten a copy yet… we will begin slowly and let everyone catch up. This week, we’ll warm up with the Introduction and The Parable.
From D.A. Carson:
There is more than one way to run away from God and defy him. But there is only one way back: God is so prodigal in his grace that he reaches out to humble and restore and receive both. Few books unpack this theme with greater force than this slim volume from Tim Keller.
This is a book that fits nicely with our Mission and reaching out with the Gospel
Continue reading about The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith
The Tuesday morning crew at Java John’s just finished George Eldon Ladd’s Gospel of the Kingdom — it was a very worthwhile look at the Kingdom of God and the “already and not yet” quality of Christ’s reign on the earth. We closed with this thought, which is both timely and relevant to our mission at NCCF:
Do you love the Lord’s appearing? Then you will bend every effort to take the Gospel into all the world [beginning with the Brunswick and Nevada County]… All authority is His. “Go ye therefore.” Wherefore? Because all authority, all power is His, and because He is waiting until we have finished our task. His is the Kingdom; He reigns in heaven, and He manifests His reign on earth in and through His church. When we have accomplished our mission, He will return and establish His Kingdom in glory. To us it is given not only to wait for but also to hasten the coming of the day of God (II Pet. 3:12). This is the mission of the Gospel of the Kingdom, and this is our mission.
Over the next couple of months, we will be discussing The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith by Tim Keller. Even if you don’t join us on Tuesday mornings at sunup, please get a copy and join us in online discussion or when we get together.
Before I move on, did anyone have any comments about The Gospel of the Kingdom?
Danny Gramm
A Memorial Service was held for Dan Gramm on Saturday, June 27 2009 with hundreds attending. Dan was remembered as a Christian man who, along with Lindy, provided for his large family and offered his home as a refuge and haven for friends. There was a reception afterwards, where we all got to exchange memories and anecdotes about a truly unique and special guy.
In everything, Jesus was lifted up and God was praised. In summing up Dan’s life:
Colossians 3:23 & 24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
We are currently reading Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem.
The outlines used for this group can be downloaded below.
Men, feel free to join us Sunday mornings at 7:30 A.M.
2Tim. 1:13 (NASB)
Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Systematic Theology
Chapter 3 The Cannon of Scripture
Chapter 4 The Authority of Scripture
Chapter 5 The Inerrancy of Scripture
Chapter 6 The Clarity of Scripture
Chapter 7 The Necessity of Scripture
Chapter 8 The Sufficiency of Scripture
Chapter 9 the Existence of God
Chapter 10 The Knowability of God
Chapter 11 The Character of God: The Incommunicable Attributes of God
Chapter 12 The Character of God: The Communicable Attributes of God Part 1
Chapter 13 The Character of God: The Communicable Attributes of God Part 2
Chapter 21 The Creation of Man
Chapter 22 Man as Male and Female
Chapter 23 The Essential Nature of Man
Chapter 25 The Covenants Between God and Man
Chapter 26 The Person of Christ
Chapter 27 The Atonement (Current / In Progress / Not Complete)
