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Luke 12-17; John 11 | May 1-7

Before we came to earth we lived with our Heavenly Father. We accepted His plan to come to earth, gain a physical body and choose between right and wrong. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior. He has also given us families to love and help us along the way.

In the story of the Prodigal Son, one son decided to spend his fortune on earthly pleasures, rather than spending it wisely. When the money ran out, he was sad, and knew he had made wrong choices. He wasn’t sure he could go home, but he was willing to try. Even though he had done wrong, his father loved him and celebrated his return.

The Savior taught us, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34. The Savior loves us even when we are not doing everything we should. We can follow His example by showing love to our own family members and others around us in this same way.

Read and Discuss

Scripture

Luke 15:20–24

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”

Questions

Does Jesus love us, even if we make wrong choices?
Why is the family an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan?
How can we work towards eternal life as a family?
People are often kinder to strangers than to their family members that they love. Why is this and what can we do differently?

Quote

“I know of no more beautiful story in all literature than that found in the fifteenth chapter of Luke. It is the story of a repentant son and a forgiving father…There is no peace in reflecting on the pain of old wounds. There is peace only in repentance and forgiveness.” Gordon B. Hinckley