Go Deep

Week 2 Recap

In this week's lesson, we explored what it means that God is a Father — not a distant tyrant, not an angry judge, but a Father who actively pursues you.

Key themes from Week 2:

• God's love doesn't control
• The Prodigal Son story: the father was watching, running, embracing — no lecture
• You're not a servant. You're a child. (Romans 8:14-17)
• Until you can relate to God the Father as Dad, it's hard for Christianity to move from rules you follow to a family you belong to
• God the Father (like Marlin swimming across the ocean in Finding Nemo, or Mufasa calling Simba home in The Lion King) enters our mess, comes looking for us, and says "you're mine"
• God wants to rewrite your definition of "father" by showing you who he is

Core Question for Reflection

What do you think of when you hear the word "father"?

Be honest — write the first word that comes to mind. No filtering. Don't worry about being "spiritual." Just answer the question.

Your answer might be: Loving, absent, angry, confusing, protective, distant, broken, helpful, scary... whatever it is.

Questions to Help You Dig Deeper

1. The Two Sons

   In the Prodigal Son story, which son do you relate to more — the one who left or the one who stayed?

   • If you're the "younger son": Where are you running from? What are you trying to escape? What would it look like to come home?
   • If you're the "older son": What have you been doing "right" that makes you feel like you deserve more? What's hard for you about the father's grace?
2. Love That Doesn't Make Sense

   Have you ever experienced love that didn't make sense? Someone giving something to you when you didn't deserve it, when they could have said no?

   Write about a time when someone showed you unexpected grace — or when someone failed to give you the grace you needed.

3. Living as a Child, Not a Servant

   Romans 8 says you've received the Spirit of adoption. That means you're not a servant. You're a child.

   What would change this week if you actually lived like God is FOR you, not against you?

   • Do you talk to God like a child talking to a dad (complaining, asking, trusting), or like an employee reporting to a boss?
   • Where do you still live in fear rather than in sonship/daughter-ship?
4. The Father Heart in Your Life

   Think of the people who have acted like a father to you (biological, step, mentor, pastor, etc.). What do they do well? What do they miss?

   How can God be different from every "father figure" you've known — and how can he still be good even if some of your experiences were bad?

Personal Application

This week, I will...

Choose ONE concrete action to take based on your reflections:

• Write a letter to God about your true feelings — about your dad, about what you need from him, about your questions. (You don't have to send it. Just write it.)
• Reach out to someone who's been a father figure to you — ask them about their own father. Have a real conversation.
• Pray the Prodigal Son prayer: "Father, I'm here. I'm sorry. I need you." Say it out loud.
• Do something this week that shows God you trust him with a vulnerable part of your life — something you've never told anyone.

Write your action here:

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How I'm Growing

On a scale of 1–10, how comfortable are you thinking about God as your Father?

• 1 = Totally uncomfortable, it feels wrong or scary
• 5 = It's okay, but I don't really get it yet
• 10 = It's starting to make sense. I'm beginning to trust it.

Why did you choose that number?

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Next Steps

If you're ready to trust God more as your Father, consider this:

• Read Luke 15:11-32 again — slowly this time
• Talk to a trusted adult or mentor about what it means for you personally
• Ask God, "Father, show me who you really are"

If you're still unsure, that's okay. Keep showing up. Trust grows over time — not in one week.

Bonus: Journal Prompt

If you could ask God one question about being your Father, what would it be?

Write it here, and come back to it next week.

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