"On leaving this planet Jesus instructed us to go and make disciples. I'm proud Kim Hayes takes Him seriously, as she opens up a fresh view of scriptural truth to inspire followers. She makes you think, imagine, discover - all things that move us closer to the Father. This is a tool to accomplish that which you'll find encouraging and can use her study to be an encourager to other searchers."
-- John Russell, pastor and author
In Luke 15, Jesus tells back to back parables about how lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son are so valuable, they are pursued and there is great rejoicing when they are found. Jesus desperately wanted the Pharisees and the teachers of the law to understand God's grace. How could we know this? Because He told three stories with the same message and the third one reveals His target audience. We will explore how the main character of the parable is the older son.
It is easy for most of us to empathize with the older son's position if you just consider that the father finances the younger son in leaving home. Does that seem at all fair? He blesses the son in his excursion into self-centeredness. We begin by examining the actual parable, so that you hear the message Jesus gave in response to what He observed in the hearts of His target audience. Then travel with me into a word picture examining Jesus' desire for the hearts of these Jewish leaders, and today for all who follow Christ.
Kim Hayes has been married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff, for 35 years and they have four grown children. She is a teacher, writer, family and marriage consultant with experience in helping women in crisis pregnancies and other family issues. Her first love is Jesus, who first loved her.
