Many of you are likely familiar with the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11–32. It poignantly portrays the rebellion and lostness of mankind, as well as the love of the God in bringing lost people home by sheer grace alone. These themes should resonate with our unbelieving friends, but we live in an age in which friends naturally tune out our attempts to share the good news of God’s grace. How can the Prodigal Son parable help us share the gospel with our friends?
The Gospel and Storytelling
First, it tells us about the person and work of Jesus in story form. This last part is essential. Back in the day, we used to walk our unbelieving friends down the “Romans Road”—passages in the book of Romans that, when put together, explained the essence of the Christian faith and why we need to believe in Jesus. While often effective, it was an approach that relied on logic—first you understand sin, then grace, etc.
We now live in a culture that struggles with logic, but not with the power of stories. The Prodigal Son provides for us the Romans Road as a story. Not just a story, but the story. It tells us the story of human failure and brokenness and our need for and hope in the grace of God. And it does so as a story that includes us all. It is not about how my friend Jimmy can be saved, but about how Jimmy and I can be saved.
Second, by giving us all the same truths as the Romans Road, it also gives us the ability to walk somebody by the hand through essential biblical truths. What does it mean for a son to ask for his inheritance before his father is even dead (v12)? What does this act of betrayal tell us about mankind—and about each of our hearts? This is a story about sin.
And sin has sad consequences for all of us. Notice that there is separation, squandering, slavery, and suffering (vv13–16). Each of us knows the pain of these consequences in our own lives. Imagine the conversations we can have around these topics! Do you feel separated from God, or that you’re wasting your life? Are there things in your life that you live for that have a degree of control over you? How are you suffering? All these questions reflect the original issue of sin and provoke a desire for sin’s remedy.
The Need for Grace
This story also poignantly pictures God’s grace. When we finally comprehend the depth of the problem, we need not fear for the solution. Although we’re beggarly in our sin, God meets us while still a long way off and pours out the riches of his grace upon us (vv 20–24). And with that, we can talk about how he met us in the person and work of Christ Jesus.
Finally, the Parable of the Prodigal Son helps us share the gospel because it pounds the heart with incessant questions. Do you know and feel the depths of your own sin? Have you cried out to God in repentance? Do you understand that only he can bring you home? Do you believe in Jesus Christ as your savior from sin? Are you enjoying the feast or are you still outside the house, complaining about how God works? Questions are statements in disguise. If asked the right way, they challenge people to wrestle with their own hearts rather than with the person before them.
Are you wondering about how to talk to people about the gospel? Have them talk about their own lives—the highs and the lows. Inevitably, their story will remind you about another story, a story about a prodigal son. And that story will remind them of yet another story about the God-man who came into this world to save sinners. Perhaps you’ll have the privilege of feasting together on God’s grace.
