READ: LUKE 15:1-3, 11-31

Abidan stretched, looking toward the sun. It was setting, so he left the field and approached the house. He stopped, listening. That sounds like a party, he thought, waving over Baanah the servant. “What’s going on tonight?” Abidan asked.

“Your brother has returned!” Baanah said, “your father has served the feasting calf to celebrate!”

“Jabin’s back?” Abidan’s tone was angry.

Baanah nodded. “Shall I get your father?” Abidan only threw up his hands in frustration.

When Abidan saw his father coming, he turned away. “What do you want?”

“I want you to join the party. Please come see your brother. It’s been thirteen months.”

“I know.” Abidan’s voice was strained. “And I have been here. Working hard every day. Respecting you, always doing exactly what you’ve asked. I’ve given you everything, never once getting a goat to eat with my friends! Jabin runs off and wastes his inheritance. Upon his return, you restore him like he’s been a victim, and I don’t even get told to leave the field early? Isn’t what I do enough to please you? The disobedient son gets all your love?”

“My son, you are welcome to a goat—and all I have!” said his father. “Abidan, you have not entrusted to me what I long for: your brokenness. You keep me at arm’s length all the time. You desire to be loved, but ‘doing enough’ cannot earn what you want.”

His father continued. “Both my sons have been wrong in their perception of my love. One thought he could enjoy it by what he got from me, the other by what he could give to me. I celebrate Jabin’s return because he has come to discover what I will do with the truth about him, however ugly it might be. This is what I long for with you, Abidan. Will you come to the party, that I might celebrate the return of both my sons?” • H. K. Rausch

• Today’s story is based on Luke 15. What was Jesus contrasting in this parable of two brothers? Who was listening?

• Why doesn’t Jesus want us to clean ourselves up before we come to Him? (Hint: read John 15:3-4) Why is it impossible for anything we do (or don’t do) to sustain our relationship with God? How does God sustain His relationship with us? (Romans 3:22-28; 5:1-11; Ephesians 2:1-10)

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:31-32 (NLT)

READ: GENESIS 1:26-27; ROMANS 8:28-29; 2 CORINTHIANS 3:17–4:6

Have you ever heard someone talk about how people are “made in the image of God?” What does that mean?

Essentially, it means we are God’s representatives here on earth and He created us with some of the same qualities He has: creativity, love, intelligence, a sense of justice, wisdom, kindness, and mercy—just to name a few. Whenever people express these qualities, whether they are Christians or not, they are doing it because they were made in the image of God. And when we see that happen, we can praise God for it!

Being made in God’s image gives each person immeasurable value—not because of anything we do, but because of who God is. Our Creator is perfect and holy and good, so anyone created in His likeness—including you, your best friend, and your worst enemy—is worth more than we can possibly imagine. And while we can’t reflect God’s image perfectly because sin has broken our image-bearing ability, each human life still points to the one who made it.

As people made in the image of God, our primary identity is “people loved by God.” That is at the core of who we are. God made us in His image to love us.

And we have an amazing job description: to do His will here on earth. That’s a very weighty (and sometimes confusing) job, but it all boils down to loving God, loving each other, and caring for creation (Genesis 1:28; Matthew 22:37-40). How do we do that in our broken state? We look to Jesus! He is the One who made it possible for us, as broken-by-sin-image-bearers, to resemble our Creator once more. If we’ve put our trust in Jesus Christ, believing in His death and resurrection, we can know that His Holy Spirit is now living in us, conforming us to the image of Christ. By leaning on the Holy Spirit, we can learn to see the ways God has made us—and others—in His glorious image. And that is a wonderful sight to behold. • Taylor Eising

• Where do you see God’s image reflected in yourself? Where do you see it reflected in others?

• When your friends are struggling with their identities or self-worth, what are some ways you could encourage them about who they are as image-bearers of God?

And just as we have borne the image of the man of dust [Adam], we will also bear the image of the man of heaven [Jesus]. 1 Corinthians 15:49 (CSB)

READ: PSALM 145:14-19; HEBREWS 4:14-16

Today’s poem is written in the style of a rap.

I’m here every night; too tired to fight. Just trying to make it, not fake it. It’s hard…to be a PK, knowing you want me to say, “It’s okay. I still believe.” Though in my heart I still grieve.

But I see a world that’s gone bad. And it started when Dad Headed out of the door, said he wanted no more.

Preacher dad who told me of God— what a facade. Now our family’s a mess, and each day’s got stress.

I pray, but don’t know what to say. Can I be real? There’s nothing I feel except empty inside. See, last time I cried and said, “God, take it away— this pain, lift it I pray”—

God, You left it there. And continued to tear my family apart. So, don’t start with me, people in pews, giving your views of what I should do.

My best friend Kat—she’s got my back She has what I lack: Faith—faith to still pray, And wants me to be the same way.

Though I wish God really cared And wasn’t just there, up in the air. • Linda Washington

• Have you ever felt like Shenice? You might be a PK (pastor’s kid) whose dad walked out, or your pain might be totally different. Who, if anyone, did you talk to about what you went through?

• How would you want to respond if Shenice was your friend?

• What do you believe is true about the God who Shenice labels “just there up in the air”? Why?

• When Jesus, the God of the Universe, came and lived among us, He experienced our suffering firsthand. He went all the way to the cross for us—to the grave and back—because He loves us, and He never wants to be apart from us. Jesus is never too far away to hear you when you call. There is nothing you can say or do to Him that will make Him stop loving you or hearing you when you pray. Consider taking some time to talk to Him about whatever hurts you’ve been carrying (Matthew 11:28-30). You don’t need to filter your thoughts before you say them to Jesus.

• When we go through hard times, it’s normal to wonder if God has stopped caring about us. The pain of betrayal is especially deep. Healing from that kind of hurt can be a long, slow process. But God is faithful to bind up the wounds of the brokenhearted, and even to bring us joy again (Psalms 30:5; 147:3). God does His patient work of healing through His Word, through His Spirit, and also through His people. He calls us to pray for one another, to speak the truth—but never without love—and to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15; Ephesians 4:15-16; 6:18). Who is a trusted Christian in your life you can talk freely with when you’re hurting? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.)

The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 (NLT)