Opening Prayer Led by Group Facilitator

Proverbs 4:1-13

Pray the Canticle of Tobit together aloud, alternating verses between two sides.  When finished, share reflections on the canticle as a group

1 Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight;

2 for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching.

3 When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,

4 he taught me, and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live;

5 do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Get wisdom; get insight.

6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.

9 She will place on your head a fair garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

10 Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.

11 I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.

12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered; and if you run, you will not stumble.

13 Keep hold of instruction, do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

The Older Son

Luke 15:11-32

1.       Jesus says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 15:1). What is the connection between love and obedience? What is the distinction? What are the risks of doing one without the other?

2. How do I also wrestle with the older son's harshness, legalism, and exclusion? How do I foster faithful obedience, without a heart of condemnation?

3. What did the older son want from his dad? What have I wanted from my earthly father & Heavenly Father?

4. How was the older son alienated from his dad? How am I alienated from my earthly father & Heavenly Father?

5. What did the older son still need at the end of the parable? What do I still need in relation to my earthly father and Heavenly Father?

Resolutions

Choose a resolution for this week from the suggestions below or make your own. Click/Tap on a resolution to email it to yourself:

1. I will print an examination of conscience and schedule 15 minutes of prayer to thoroughly examine how faithfully I keep the commandments.
2. I will repent of any harshness, legalism and exclusion that I have exhibited toward any younger siblings.
3. I will express repentance to any older siblings who I have wronged through abuse of my parent’s generosity.
4. I will go to adoration and prayerfully examine what my oldest son needs from me and I will make a plan to provide that need to him.
5. I will reflect on anything I still need from my earthly father and will schedule a time to visit him and share these needs with him.

Previous Resolutions - The Father of the Prodigal Son 2

Prayer Partners

Discuss with your prayer partner the success/failure of your previous resolution & offer a vocal prayer for one another.