Each week, take 5 days to dive deeper into the heart of our Sunday sermons! Through key insights and scripture, this format will allow for further personal reflection and spiritual growth. Keeping this at the dinner table, discuss it with family and/or friends.

Lord God, Thank You for running toward me and not away from me. Show me the path that You have for me—not the distant “country” I sometimes wander toward. Thank You for clothing me in righteousness through Christ Jesus. Help me to see Your provision and come to my senses. Teach me to live free of guilt and shame, and instead walk fully in Your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Pharisees and scribes didn’t understand the heart of God towards us, but Jesus did—and He showed it: God pursues the lost, welcomes the broken, and rejoices over every return. He doesn’t avoid the mess. He runs to it! He delights in restoring our lives. He will leave the 99 to go after the one who’s gone astray and lays them on His shoulders–rejoicing in every rescue.

How does that bring hope that we don’t have to clean up our act before we come to God in surrender? Is it meaningful to know what Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners?

This is us. This is our culture. The pull toward immediate gratification is real. We want quick wins, fast results, instant everything. But often, that desire leads us away from the Father and into a distant country—one that may look exciting at first, but eventually leaves us empty.
We’ve all asked some version of, “How did I get here?” This son’s journey reminds us that God knows exactly where we are—and still longs to draw us back to Himself.

Think of a time when you journeyed to a different country. What was that experience like, both emotionally, physically and spiritually? 

The son didn’t deny the facts in front of him. He got honest, owned the reality of his decisions, and took the first step toward home. God can and will use hunger to kick some common sense into us. Like the son, even in His guilt and shame, He pressed towards the Father, and we can too!

Is there an area in your life where you need to “get up and go” back to the Father?

The son came back with a rehearsed apology, but the father didn’t even let him finish. He ran. He embraced. He celebrated. He covered the son with dignity and belonging before the son could prove he deserved it. Here’s the challenge for us: can we let God love us like that? Can we stop trying to earn it, and just receive it? He wants to take shame off and put identity on. The robe, the ring, the sandals… those were signs of belonging. And they’re for us too!

Are you resisting God’s love in any way? What would it mean to fully receive it? What verse in the bible helps you to internalize God's love for you? Post it up somewhere or make it your phone lock-screen image as a daily reminder. 

There is now no condemnation. Not “after you clean yourself up.” Not “if you never mess up again.” Right now, in Christ Jesus, you are free from shame. But just like the son had to let the father dress him, we have to let God clothe us in righteousness, love, and grace. Don’t keep wearing what God has taken off of you. Condemnation doesn’t belong to you anymore.

What old identity or shame are you still carrying that God wants to remove?