Prodigal Son Bible Study

Prodigal Son Bible Story

Christianity Oasis Ministry provides this Prodigal son Bible study on the Prodigal son Bible story asking what is a prodigal son in the Bible bringing forth truth, understanding and peace.

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Christian Walk study program. This is our absolutely awesome and thought provoking Prodigal Son Bible Study on the question 'What is a prodigal son?' Let's look into this together.


Prodigal Son Bible Study - Prodigal Son Bible Story

What is a Prodigal Son in the Bible

Prodigal Son Bible Study on Prodigal Son Bible Story
What is a Prodigal Son in the Bible Quest

I would like to talk about a message that Jesus shared with us in the book of Luke, Chapter 15. So, if you have your Bible handy, you can kick that rascal open to Luke, Chapter 15 if you like.

Luke 15:1-2

1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Prodigal son Bible story notation: that it was sinners that came to listen to Jesus while the "Religious" leaders of the time, stood by, whispered and mocked Jesus for sharing time and thoughts with the sinners. They lacked Grace.

Luke 15:3-7

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Prodigal Son Bible Study / Prodigal Son Bible Story Blessing
What is a Prodigal Son in the Bible Meaning

Jesus continued ...

Luke 15:8-10

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Why do you think Jesus shared this second parable about the same topic, but with silver instead of sheep?

In the first parable, it may be that Jesus was trying to reach the compassionate souls that cared for a living creature and in the second parable, He was reaching for those who cared for money.

Prodigal son Bible study tidbit of Truth ... Perhaps He was reaching men with the sheep parable and women with the silverware parable as in one parable He addressed it to man when He said: "What man of you, having an hundred sheep ..." And the second to woman when He said: "What woman having ten pieces of silver ..."

At either rate, Jesus was trying to reach each lost soul within His audience.

Whether they be "sinners" or "Religious" Leaders.

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What is a Prodigal Son in the Bible Gift

In trying to reach both the sinner and the Religious leaders, Jesus shared yet another parable:

Luke 15:11-24

11 And He said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

I absolutely Love that last part ...

Remember how we feel when we did wrong and repent and feel that freedom from our sin despite feeling so unworthy?

Prodigal Son Bible Study and Prodigal Son Bible Story Tale
What is a Prodigal Son in the Bible Purpose

Now, here comes a strange twist to this parable ...

Luke 15:25-28

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

Why was the brother so very angry?

It is because ... Many are unable to feel what a lost soul feels because they are so busy looking upon their own "righteous" deeds. They too may have once been sinners but since they chose to stop a specific sin they are so eager to pounce on any lost soul who is still in darkness.

Jesus said this of such souls:

Matthew 23:4

For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Prodigal Son Bible Quest - Prodigal Son Bible Story Event
What is a Prodigal Son in the Bible Promise

Let's go see what the "Father" in the parable Jesus said in response to the older brother ...

Luke 15:29-32

29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

We are supposed to be our brother's keeper. We are supposed to reach for our fellow brothers and sisters when they are lost.

Prodigal Son Bible Study and Prodigal Son Bible Story On Love
What is a Prodigal Son in the Bible Directive

Now here is another little Prodigal son Bible story note to those who are serving the Lord by reaching for His Lost souls as He asked of us; Oft times while serving the Lord we can become overwhelmed and even overcome by what we endure. This occurs when our virtue is taken at every turn as we reach to help others by helping them carry their burdens.

Galatians 6:2

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Meanwhile, dealing with our own trials and tribulation. Gets kind of heavy at times does it not? But, our Lord stated:

Matthew 11:29-30

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

So what has our Prodigal son Bible study revealed to us? What is the problem? Why do we feel so overwhelmed and overcome at times? It is because we can not carry such a burden alone. So, what is the Prodigal son Bible story solution ... We must choose to unload our burdens and the burdens that we help others carry, upon the Lord.

Cast your cares upon the Lord:

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.

God is awaiting you with open arms. Choose to return and run back into His loving arms.


There is a force out there that is attempting to overtake us all; it is Satan. There is another force that is protecting us from him; it is the Holy Spirit. It is a battle for souls. This battle is called Spiritual Warfare, and like it or not, you are right in the middle of it.

How to Prepare for Spiritual Warfare