Parables of Jesus
Teachers
Lesson Summary
In the class, Zach Russell revisited the Parable of the Prodigal Son, beginning where the previous week had left off at Luke 15:11‑24. He read the passage aloud, emphasizing the younger son’s request for his inheritance, his reckless living in a foreign land, and the desperate circumstances that led him to return home in humility. Zach noted the cultural significance of the son working with pigs, underscoring the depth of his fall and the profound mercy shown by the father upon his return. The teacher then continued with verses 25‑32, describing the older brother’s anger, his sense of injustice, and the father’s gentle invitation to reconciliation. Zach linked these events to broader biblical themes, explaining how Jesus uses the parable to illustrate the Kingdom of God as the fulfillment of Hebrew prophecy, to invert societal values, and to place listeners before a decisive moment of response. He connected the “lost‑to‑found” motif with Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones, highlighting the resurrection‑like restoration God offers to both individuals and the nation of Israel.
Key Scriptures
there was a man who had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of my property that is coming to me. And he divided the property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all that he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property and reckless living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine rose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, how many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I will perish here with hunger. I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father felt compassion and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet and bring the fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate. For the son of mine was dead and he is alive again. He was lost and he is found. And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked him what these things meant. And he said to him, your brother has come and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound. But he was angry and he refused to go in. His father then came out and entreated him. But he answered his father, look, these many years I have served you and I never disobeyed your command. Yet you never gave me a goat that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him. And he said to him, son, you are always with me and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad for this brother was dead and he is alive. He was lost and he was found.