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Which One Do You Want?
- June 22, 2025 / Joshua Ott
Sometimes one word can mean two opposite things—like “buckle” (to fasten or to collapse) or “clip” (to cut or to connect). The word “prodigal” is the same. It can mean recklessly wasteful or extravagantly generous. In Luke 15, we see both: a son who wasted everything and a father who gave everything. As Tim Keller points out, this story is really about the father—our God—who is radically generous with grace and love. So the question is: which kind of life are you choosing? One that chases empty things or one defined by a Father who calls you His own?
KEY VERSES:
- Luke 15:20–24
- Romans 5:8
- Hebrews 12:2
- Romans 10:11
- Isaiah 1:18
- Psalm 103:12
- Romans 10:9–10
HIGHLIGHTS:
- One Word, Two Meanings: "Prodigal" can mean recklessly wasteful or extravagantly generous. This story includes both—a wayward son and a wildly gracious father.
- Which Direction Are You Choosing? Every day we choose between chasing emptiness or receiving God's overwhelming love.
- “But while he was still a long way off…”: God doesn’t wait for you to get it all together. He sees, He moves, He restores (Luke 15:20).
- God's Compassion Moves Him: Not just sympathy—deep, gut-level love that drives action (Luke 15:20; Romans 5:8).
- The Father Runs: Unthinkable in that culture. He takes on shame so the son doesn’t have to (Hebrews 12:2; Romans 10:11).
- Interrupting Our Scripts: The son tries to earn his place back, but the father interrupts with grace (Luke 15:21–22).
- Full Restoration: Robe = honor, Ring = identity, Sandals = sonship. There’s no halfway back to God—He brings full healing and belonging.
- Celebration: The lost son is found, and it’s time to celebrate (Luke 15:24).
TALK ABOUT IT:
- How have I been defining “prodigal” in my own life lately?
- What have I been chasing that will never fill me?
- Why is it so hard to believe God would run toward me, not away from me?
- What’s the speech I’ve been rehearsing for God—and how might He interrupt it?
- What parts of my identity has God already restored that I’m still living without?
- Do I really believe that grace is enough—or am I still trying to earn my way back?
- What would it look like to fully accept the Father’s restoration today?
APPLY IT:
- Ask yourself daily: What am I choosing—empty pursuits or the Father’s grace?
- Let go of the need to prove yourself to God—just turn toward Him.
- Reflect on how God has already run to meet you, even when you were far off.
- Consider how you view yourself: Are you living like a servant or a fully restored child of God?
- When you mess up, don’t delay—come back. He’s already watching for you.
- Celebrate restoration in your life and in others—grace is worth throwing a party for.
Born and raised in Schuylkill County, Josh is passionate about Grace being a church that reaches the entire county. He drives the vision, content, clarity, and leadership cohesion at our church. Josh loves old Harleys, fly-fishing, and Philly sports, but not nearly as much as a he loves spending time with his family.