God Loves More

KEY VERSES:

• Luke 15:1–2
• Micah 6:8
• Hosea 6:6
• Psalm 103:8–14
• Jeremiah 4:23
• 1 John 4:7–12

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Series Intro – “Prodigals” from Luke 15: A deep dive into Jesus’ stories about God’s heart for the lost.
• Religious Leaders Are Triggered (Luke 15:1-2): They were upset not by Jesus’ words, but by his actions—welcoming and eating with sinners.
• Jesus’ Example: Actions speak louder than words. He lived the welcome he preached.
• Modern Church Reflection: Do our actions match our message? Or do we unintentionally push people away?
• The Table vs. The Judgment Seat: Jesus chose the table with sinners. Pharisees chose judgment.
• Three Red Flags in Religion:
  • Selfish mutterings — “I don’t like this” mentality
  • Entitled positions — “I’ve earned this spot” thinking
  • Self-righteous hearts — Forgetting we were once broken too
• Jesus’ Radical Welcome: In this culture, eating with someone was spiritual and relational. Jesus was declaring friendship with sinners.
• Old Testament Echoes: Micah 6:8; Hosea 6:6; Psalm 103:8-14 — God values mercy, justice, and love over performance.
• 1 John 4:7-12: True love begins with God and changes how we love others.
• Final Challenge: Realign your heart with God’s. Make your table bigger. Live the love that changed your life.

TALK ABOUT IT:

• Who do I have a hard time imagining sitting at Jesus’ table?
• In what ways do my actions align—or not—with the heart of God?
• When have I slipped into a “Pharisee mindset” of keeping score or being right?
• How does it make me feel that Jesus would choose to sit at the table with me?
• What does it mean for me personally to “make the table bigger”?
• How can I better reflect God's love in my neighborhood, work, or family?
• What keeps me from engaging more deeply with people who are far from God?

APPLY IT:

• Be honest about who you naturally exclude. Ask God to help you welcome people the way Jesus did.
• Spend time this week in Luke 15. Read it slowly and reflect on how God loves you—and others.
• Choose someone who’s different than you and extend an intentional act of love or kindness.
• Stop seeing church as a place to go and start seeing it as a mission to carry out in the world.
• Catch yourself when you slip into religious pride or judgment—and replace it with gratitude and humility.
• Invite someone to your literal table (a meal, coffee, etc.) and build relational bridges.