Summary: The story of the Prodigal Son, also known as the Parable of the Lost Son, follows immediately after the parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. With these three parables, Jesus demonstrated what it means to be lost, how heaven celebrates with joy when the lost are found. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we see how the loving Father longs to save people, both those who sin with their actions and those who sin with their attitude.

Summary: Jesus is teaching His disciples, that forgiveness should be in like proportion to the amount forgiven. The first servant had been forgiven all, and he then should have forgiven all. In like manner, a child of God by faith through Christ has had all sins forgiven. Therefore, when someone offends or sins against us, we should be willing to forgive him or her from a heart of gratitude for the grace to which we ourselves are debtors.

Summary: Biblical love transcends boundaries of geography, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status and even personal convenience. And when we love our neighbor, we show that we love God. Our neighbors are those who have legitimate needs for which God has given us the resources to help meet those needs. So being a good Samaritan means moving toward them and not away from them.

Summary: We have to understand that the character of God is good. He is gracious and will reward us according to our faithfulness. So whatever personality, abilities, and talents God has given you, use it for His glory and His honor. Serve God in humility and serve with an attitude of thankfulness.

Summary: God’s unmerited or undeserved favor, can be seen in Jesus’ parable of the Workers in the Vineyard and the Fair Employer. We are challenged to follow His example. God is fair and just, and this story tells us about God and His unlimited grace for each person.

Summary: Faithful, never-ceasing, persistent prayer is the permanent calling of every true disciple of Christ who is dedicated to living for the Kingdom of God. Like the persistent widow, we are needy, dependent people who trust in our gracious, loving, and merciful God alone to supply what we need.

Summary: Too many people are consumed with worry and anxiety about what tomorrow might hold. This fear can be paralyzing. As Christians we believe that our loving heavenly Father is always looking out for us. He takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field and that gives us confidence that He will take care of us too. There is no benefit from worry, in fact, anxiety only hurts us. Let’s trust God and allow Him to guide our steps.

Summary: God’s great mercy became a transforming reality through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This mercy is a result of God’s love for us, and this love invites us to live differently in the present. We are to be living sacrifices that no longer conform to the patterns of the world. The world around us is deceptive, selfish, angry, and foolish. These cannot be the patterns we live by today.

Summary: Jesus Christ demonstrated his love for humanity by sacrificially giving his life on the cross and resurrecting from the dead. Because of this incredible act of love, those who are in Christ have become new creations. All of our past mistakes, sins, and miscues have been covered by the blood of Jesus. Our past no longer has the last word and final say over our lives. We have been given a fresh start!