NOTE.—In the preparation of these lessons all Scripture references, and the pages of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” should be thoroughly studied first, then the questions. The questions are not the lessons. They are only for the purpose of finding out what we have observed while studying. More of the preciousness of these lessons will be obtained if the lesson is studied each day throughout the week. In the parables of Jesus there is salvation from sin for every type of sinner—from the Pharisee to the prodigal. The notes are wholly selected from such portions of “Christ’s Object Lessons” as apply to each lesson.
11, 12 “And He said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would fain have been filled with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. 17 But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, 18 and I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: 19 I am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28 But he was angry, and would not go in; and his father came out, and entreated him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends; 30 but when this thy son came, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killest for him the fatted calf. 31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine. 32 But it was meet to make merry and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
What had a certain man?
What request did the younger one make? Was it granted?
How soon afterward did he take a journey? How much of his patrimony was taken with him?
Did he settle in an adjoining town? Where?
How was his substance used? When all was expended, what arose? Into what state did this bring him? What did he do to relieve his dire necessity? What employment was given him? To what extremes did his hunger bring him? Did any one supply his need?
How did he begin to reason? When was this? What did he desire to do?
What did he intend to say when he reached home? Did he do as he had determined?
When did his father see him? How was he greeted? Did he say all to his father he had thought to say?
What command was immediately given the servants? Why this great demonstration of rejoicing?
With what illustrations has the Lord elsewhere shown His joy over the return of the wanderer? Isa. 62:5; Zeph. 3:17.
Hearing the sound of rejoicing, what question did the elder son ask? Did he share in the joy? How did he act? What did he say to his father? What did he call the returned penitent? What was the father’s kind reply?
NOTES.
In the parable of the prodigal son is presented the Lord’s dealing with those who have once known the Father’s love, but have allowed the tempter to lead them captive at his will.
Whatever the appearance may be, every life centered in self is squandered.
The love of God still yearns over the one who has chosen to separate from Him, and He sets in operation influences to bring him back to the Father’s house.
The prodigal son in his wretchedness “came to himself.”
In his restless youth the prodigal looked upon his father as stern and severe. How different his conception of him now! So those who are deceived by Satan look upon God as hard and exacting.
In the parable there is no taunting, no casting up to the prodigal of his evil course; the son feels that the past is forgiven and forgotten, blotted out forever.
Self-righteousness not only leads men to misrepresent God, but makes them cold-hearted and critical toward their brethren. While the soul is making its very first struggles against the flood of temptations, they stand by, stubborn, self-willed, complaining, accusing. They may claim to be children of God, but they are acting out the spirit of Satan. By their attitude toward their brethren these accusers place themselves where God can not give them the light of His countenance.
