The Inheritance of a Son

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32.

Memory Verse: "For in Him, we live and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring' " (Acts 17:28).

INTRODUCTION: Luke 15:11-32 is not really the "parable of the prodigal son," but the "parable of two sons." The father divided his inheritance between both sons, with a double-portion for the elder (Deut. 21:15-17). The way that both sons used their inheritance revealed each one's misconception of sonship. While the younger son took the inheritance for himself, the older son ignored his inheritance. Both left the presence of their father (even though the older brother never left home), for while the younger brother joined himself to foreigners (the world), the older brother joined himself to the slaves. Both saw their inheritance as separate from relationship.
  Both sons were equally wrong. Both were self-centered and missed out on a true father-son relationship. But whereas the younger son repented, the older son failed to see his fault. In the parable, the father's response to his older brother shows the true meaning of sonship:
 

• "You are always with me"--Relationship
• "Everything I have is yours"--Heirship

  As Christians, we have been "born again into a living hope" (1 Peter 1:3). God has a goal for His children, that we will grow up to become mature sons--like Jesus, the Son (Romans 8:21,29).

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure" (1 John 2:3).

LESSON QUESTIONS:

1. What is one way our relationship with God is described? Hebrews 12:5-11; 1 John 3:1.

2. How do we become "sons of God?" Ephesians 1:13-14; 1:5; Romans 8:15-16.

3. Compare Galatians 4:6 and Romans 8:15.

4. What was the depth of relationship between Jesus and His Father? Mark 14:35-36; Hebrews 2:10-15; Ephesians 2:18; Matthew 10:20; John 20:17.

5. How are we linked with Christ? Romans 6:3-6; Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1-4.

6. When we become sons of God, what privilege do we receive? Romans 8:17; Galatians 4:7; Colossians 3:1-4.

7. What does the inheritance of Jesus include? Hebrews 1:4; Philippians 2:8-10; Colossians 1:15-20; Matthew 25:34; Luke 22:29; James 2:5; 1 Kings 8:51,53; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Titus 2:14; Ephesians 1:18.

8. Because we are co-heirs with Jesus, what does our inheritance include? John 14:13-14; 16:24; Revelation 3:12; Ephesians 1:22; Matthew 25:34; Luke 22:29; Colossians 1:12; Psalm 16:5; 73:26.