Prodigals
One thing that IV at UNC CH has been doing this year is looking at ministry to “prodigals”, which they define as “anyone who has spent a year or more after age twelve in Christian community but is not currently pursuing a relationship with the Lord.” They estimate that, since we are in the Bible belt, over half their campus fits that description. I like that definition, and would like to think about how we might equip our students to reach prodigals.
Thinking about Jesus’ parable of prodigals, though, I am reminded that the parable was mostly about the “prodigal Father” who was wasteful/prodigal in His love for the wayward son and the religious son. Primarily what it means to reach prodigals is to more fully access the prodigal heart of the Father.
After that, what draws the prodigal son home? His need. We are certainly good in our culture of covering up our need, and so perhaps we need to 1) teach students to pray for need to be uncovered, and 2) teach students how to ask questions that reveal deeper needs that are usually covered up.
Thoughts?
Thinking about Jesus’ parable of prodigals, though, I am reminded that the parable was mostly about the “prodigal Father” who was wasteful/prodigal in His love for the wayward son and the religious son. Primarily what it means to reach prodigals is to more fully access the prodigal heart of the Father.
After that, what draws the prodigal son home? His need. We are certainly good in our culture of covering up our need, and so perhaps we need to 1) teach students to pray for need to be uncovered, and 2) teach students how to ask questions that reveal deeper needs that are usually covered up.
Thoughts?
posted by Marshall at 5:55 AM
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