Lesson 13 · December 28, 1901
"Lost, and Is Found."
Lesson Scripture.—Luke 15:⟦11-32?⟧
Aid.—.
- 1.What had a certain man?
- 2.What request did the younger one make? Was it granted?
- 3.How soon afterward did he take a journey? How much of his patrimony was taken with him?
- 4.Did he settle in an adjoining town? Where?
- 5.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?
- 6.How did he begin to reason? When was this? What did he desire to do?
- 7.What did he intend to say when he reached home? Did he do as he had determined?
- 8.When did his father see him? How was he greeted? Did he say all to his father he had thought to say?
- 9.What command was immediately given the servants? Why this great demonstration of rejoicing?
- 10.With what illustrations has the Lord elsewhere shown His joy over the return of the wanderer? ; .
- 11.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.
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