Stronger Than Struggles

Jesus’ beautiful story of the Prodigal Son is more than a lesson about God’s love. It also illustrates some powerful principles for parenting. 

We see 3 stages in this parent-child conflict:

1. Stage One: Rebellion. 

“Jesus continued: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” Luke 15:11-13 

WHAT TO DO:

• Let them

vr. 13a “…the younger son…set off for distant country…”

• Let them make their own .

vr. 13b “…He squandered his wealth in wild living…”

“Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.” Proverbs 20:30 (GN)

• Let them reap the consequences of their .

vr. 14 “After he had spent everything…he began to be in need.”

“…whatever you sow, you’re going to reap.”  Galatians 6:7

“After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.” Luke 15:14-16

2. Stage Two: Re-Evaluation.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’”  Luke 15:17-19 

WHAT TO DO: 

• Talk to God About Them.
• Turn Them Over to Him.
• Trust His

3. Stage Three: The Return.

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’” Luke 15:20-21

WHAT TO DO:

• Love them . 

vr. 20 “His father saw him and was filled with compassion.”

• Accept them . 

vrs. 20-21 “He ran out and threw his arms around him and kissed him. ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’”

• Forgive them . 

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:22-24

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