Stu Quakenbush // Rockford Campus // March 2, 2025

SMALL GROUP
DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 15:20-32

REMINDERS

CONTACT REFRESH
If you haven’t taken time to send in your photos or any updated information, please take a few minutes and do it today!

LEADER DEVELOPMENT CLASS (Sundays, 6–7pm – Rockford Campus, “The Pond” downstairs by the Library)
Join us as we look at leadership principles from Paul David Tripp’s Lead. We’ll have books available for those who want to read along, or simply join us to talk about the principles we can all learn and apply as leaders in our church, homes, and communities.

 

TOGETHER IN LIFE

In Stu’s message, he described a kayaking trip with his wife where he ended up with a very different experience than he had hoped for.

Share about a time when you had high hopes for an event, moment, or experience and it ended up very different than you had planned.

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 15:20-32

Note: If you are meeting as a group, we encourage you to read the text together out loud.

TRY THIS:

Retell the story of the prodigal son in your own words. Try and recall as many details as possible.

KEY QUESTION:

• Do you really know the heart of the Father toward you? 

GOING DEEPER:

Pride, Sin, and the Elder Brother

In this story, two sons are lost, two sons get found, but only one comes home (repents). This part of the story is one that is often the most difficult to grasp, because the sin seems so “quiet” or “sneaky”. In arrogance, the older brother despised his father and brother, villainizing them and victimizing himself to the point of elevating himself about both. His pride was a massive plank in the way of seeing the situation clearly. Because he didn’t allow the love of the father to penetrate his heart, the older brother distanced himself from receiving what he needed.

QUESTIONS

• Of the two brothers, which do you relate to most? Why?
• What is it like for you to reflect on, process, and repent for sin?
• What most often keeps you from repenting?
• What do you do when someone sins against you?
  • How do you treat the person?
  • What are we called to in those moments?
  • What makes it difficult to live with love and forgiveness in our hearts toward others?

Experiencing the Love of the Father

The gracious love of the father in this story is a picture of our Heavenly Father’s compassionate love. He is not wanting anyone to miss out on His love for them, and yet many choose to do so – whether rebelling through “loud” sins or “quiet” ones. Where we belong is back home, abiding with the Father in order that receive what our hearts most desperately need.

QUESTIONS

• Do you ever feel unworthy of God’s love? Why?
• What is it like for you to experience the love of God? What does this do for you on a daily basis?
• When are you most likely to forget the love of God for you?
• How does the Gospel give us a proper understanding of resting in God’s love, with good works and obedience?
• What is one thing you can do right now that will help remind you often of God’s unending compassion for you?

TOGETHER IN ACTION

Check out the ideas from Stu in the sermon on Growing in Repentance and Experiencing the Father’s love.

Find one practical thing for you to try from each list, this week.

Check back in with your group next week about how this went for you.

 

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

Pray for and with one another in the confession of sin. This can be one of the most powerful moments any group can have together. Because in this, we find the love of the Father reaching out to us – the younger and older brothers alike – to come back home to Him.