1. 1. How to interpret Narratives Agenda: Narratives 3. The Bible GPS on Genesis 22: 2-19 > Abraham 2. The Bible GPS on Genesis 6: 5-8 > God 4. The Bible GPS on Exodus 2: 1-10 > Moses 5. The Bible GPS on 2 Samuel 11:1-27 > David 6. The Bible GPS on Luke 12: 15-21 > Jesus 7. The Bible GPS on Acts 9: 1-20 > Paul 8. The Bible GPS on Luke 15: 11-32 > God

2. UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING A P P L I C A T I O N Message to the original receiver 21 st Century The GPS DIFFERENCES of Language Tradition Time Situation History COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION Luke 15: 11-32

3. The First Process: Understanding 1. Situation S.T.A.R.T. 2. Type of literature 3. Analyze the passage 4. Relate the message to the rest of the Bible 5. Test your findings UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING Message to the original receiver Luke 15: 11-32

4. The Steps of Understanding 2. Type of literature 1. Situation 1 The tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were whispering among themselves. They said, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." (NIRV) Story Allegory History Parable ConversationApocalyptic S.T.A.R.T. PROSE Narrative ProcedureExplanationInstruction POETRY in PsalmsProphets Wisdom Literature

5. 3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Divide the Story in Episodes (An Episode is chain of events that are related, having the same location, time and major participants) 3.2 Determine the Plot-Structure and Main Themes (The plot is the way in which the story develops and serves to keep the interest of the reader) 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver

6. Luke 15 (story) Tension: Tension between father and son Relief of tension: Looking for ‘greener’ pastures Result: Misfortune and disillusionment (NIRV) 12 The younger son spoke to his father. He said, 'Father, give me my share of the family property.' So the father divided his property between his two sons. 13 "Not long after that, the younger son packed up all he had. Then he left for a country far away. There he wasted his money on wild living. 14 He spent everything he had. "Then the whole country ran low on food. So the son didn't have what he needed.

7. Luke 15 (story) Tension: A Jew looks after pigs! Relief of tension: The prodigal son sees the light Result: He returns to his father 15 He went to work for someone who lived in that country, who sent him to the fields to feed the pigs. 16 The son wanted to fill his stomach with the food the pigs were eating. But no one gave him anything. 17 "Then he began to think clearly again. He said, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food! But here I am dying from hunger! 18 I will get up and go back to my father. I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven. And I have sinned against you. 19 I am no longer fit to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers." ' 20 So he got up and went to his father. (NIRV)

8. Luke 15 (story) Tension: A waiting father Relief of tension: The lost son shows remorse Result: His father forgives him 20 "While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him. He was filled with tender love for his son. He ran to him. He threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son.' 22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattest calf and kill it. Let's have a big dinner and celebrate. 24 This son of mine was dead. And now he is alive again. He was lost. And now he is found.' "So they began to celebrate. (NIRV)

9. Luke 15 (story) Tension: The eldest son is bitter Relief of tension: His father pleads with him Result: Open-ended 28 "The older brother became angry. He refused to go in. So his father went out and begged him. 29 "But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've worked like a slave for you. I have always obeyed your orders. You never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But this son of yours wasted your money with some prostitutes. Now he comes home. And for him you kill the fattest calf!' 31 " 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me. Everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad. This brother of yours was dead. And now he is alive again. He was lost. And now he is found.' " (NIRV)

10. 3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Divide the Story in Episodes (An Episode is chain of events that are related, having the same location, time and major participants) 3.2 Determine the Plot-Structure and Main Themes (The plot is the way in which the story develops and serves to keep the interest of the reader) 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver Self-discovery (younger son) and moral conformity (older son) can never save you. It doesn’t go deep enough to take you to the Father’s heart. How can we be saved? 1. We need the initiating love of the Father (Luke 15: 20, 28) 2. We need to repent of our sins as well as the wrong reasons why we do good. 3. We need to be melted and moved at what it has cost the Father to bring us back home.

11. 4. Relate the message to the broader Biblical and theological framework? 5. Test your findings STARTSTART 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1– NIV) 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3 NIV) Self-discovery (younger son) and moral conformity (older son) can never save you. It doesn’t go deep enough to take you to the Father’s heart. How can we be saved? 1. We need the initiating love of the Father (Luke 15: 20, 28) 2. We need to repent of our sins as well as the wrong reasons why we do good. 3. We need to be melted and moved at what it has cost the Father to bring us back home.

12. UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING A P P L I C A T I O N Message to the original receiver 21 st Century Essential = Moral Essential = Moral COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION Incidental = Cultural, Ceremonial & Civil Self-discovery (younger son) and moral conformity (older son) can never save you. It doesn’t go deep enough to take you to the Father’s heart. How can we be saved?

13. UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING A P P L I C A T I O N Message to the original receiver 21 st Century The GPS COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION

14. Please read Days 253-256 of “The Bible as Your GPS” or pages 143-145 of Hearing God’s Tweet and answer the following questions. 1. What do you think was the young son’s problem and how does that relate to what parents experience today? (Day 253 of the Bible as Your GPS: or Days 143 and 145 of “Hearing God’s Tweet.”) 2. The young son lost everything, except one thing. What was that, and what can we learn from that? (Day 254 of “The Bible as Your GPS”) 3. “The parable should never have been called the Parable of the Prodigal Son, for the son is not the hero. It should be called the Parable of the Loving Father,” (William Barclay in his commentary on Luke, p 213). How do you feel about this comment? (Day 255 “The Bible as Your GPS”) 4. What was the older son’s problem? (Page 145 of “Hearing God’s Tweet). 5. What does this parable tell us about God ?

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