The Wake Up

KEY VERSES:

• Luke 15:16–20a
• Romans 2:4
• Romans 5:8
• Jeremiah 2:13
• Psalm 51:1–4
• John 10:10

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Setting the Scene: The son hits rock bottom—physically starving, relationally abandoned, and spiritually lost (Luke 15:16).
• Moment of Clarity: “He came to himself” (Luke 15:17). A moment of soul-awakening where he realizes, “I don’t belong here.”
• Waking Up to Condition: Exhaustion, emptiness, and isolation can be what finally wakes us up.
• Waking Up to God's Character: He remembers the kindness of his father—even servants have more than enough (Romans 2:4).
• Waking Up to Contrast: His life now vs. life with the Father—empty vs. overflowing (John 10:10; Jeremiah 2:13).
• Real Repentance: Not just words, but a turn—honest, specific, directed to God (Psalm 51).
• Getting It Right (and Wrong): The son thinks he has to earn his way back—but grace was already there (Romans 5:8).
• The First Step Back: “So he got up and went to his father” (Luke 15:20a). Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is just get up.

TALK ABOUT IT:

• What’s one “wake-up” moment you’ve experienced recently?
• In what ways have you tried to fix things on your own before turning back to God?
• What does your current situation reveal about your spiritual condition?
• How have you seen God’s kindness in your life—even in hard seasons?
• What’s the difference between saying “I’m sorry” and truly turning back?
• Why do we often feel like we have to earn God’s love?
• Where do you need to “get up and go” back to God in your life?

APPLY IT:

• Reflect honestly on where you are spiritually—have you been drifting?
• Identify areas where you're trying to earn God's love instead of receiving it.
• Recall God’s kindness—how has He been good to you even when you didn’t deserve it?
• Write out a real prayer of repentance—specific, honest, and from the heart.
• Contrast what life looks like without God vs. with Him—where are you placing your hope?
• Stop waiting to “fix it” first—just take the first step back home to God.