1. How to interpret Narratives1. How to interpret Narratives

Agenda: NarrativesAgenda: Narratives

3. The Bible GPS on Genesis 22: 2-19 > Abraham3. The Bible GPS on Genesis 22: 2-19 > Abraham2. The Bible GPS on Genesis 6: 5-8 > God2. The Bible GPS on Genesis 6: 5-8 > God

4. The Bible GPS on Exodus 2: 1-10 > Moses4. The Bible GPS on Exodus 2: 1-10 > Moses

5. The Bible GPS on 2 Samuel 11:1-27 > David5. The Bible GPS on 2 Samuel 11:1-27 > David

6. The Bible GPS on Luke 12: 15-21 > Jesus6. The Bible GPS on Luke 12: 15-21 > Jesus

7. The Bible GPS on Acts 9: 1-20 > Paul 7. The Bible GPS on Acts 9: 1-20 > Paul

8. The Bible GPS on Luke 15: 11-32 > God8. The Bible GPS on Luke 15: 11-32 > God

UNDERSTANDING

A P P L I C A T I O NMessage to the original receiver

21st CenturyThe GPS

DIFFERENCES of

LanguageTradition

TimeSituationHistory

COMMUNICATION

Luke 15: 11-32

The First Process: UnderstandingThe 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

UNDERSTANDING

Message to the original receiver

Luke 15: 11-32

The Steps of Understanding

2. T2. Type of literature ype of literature

1. S1. Situationituation1 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)

S.T.A.R.T.

3. A3. Analyze the passagenalyze the passage

3.1 Divide the Story in Episodes3.1 Divide the Story in Episodes(An Episode is chain of events that are related, having the same(An Episode is chain of events that are related, having the samelocation, time and major participants)location, time and major participants)

3.2 Determine the Plot-Structure and Main Themes3.2 Determine the Plot-Structure and Main Themes(The plot is the way in which the story develops and serves to keep the (The plot is the way in which the story develops and serves to keep the interest of the reader)interest of the reader)

3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver

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.

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)

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)

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)

3. A3. Analyze the passagenalyze the passage

3.1 Divide the Story in Episodes3.1 Divide the Story in Episodes(An Episode is chain of events that are related, having the same(An Episode is chain of events that are related, having the samelocation, time and major participants)location, time and major participants)

3.2 Determine the Plot-Structure and Main Themes3.2 Determine the Plot-Structure and Main Themes(The plot is the way in which the story develops and serves to keep the (The plot is the way in which the story develops and serves to keep the interest of the reader)interest of the reader)

3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver3.3 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.

4. R4. Relate the message to the broader Biblical and theological elate the message to the broader Biblical and theological framework? framework?

5. T5. Test your findingsest your findings

START

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.

UNDERSTANDING

A P P L I C A T I O NMessage to the original receiver

21st Century

Essential =Moral

COMMUNICATION

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?

UNDERSTANDING

A P P L I C A T I O NMessage to the original receiver

21st CenturyThe GPS

COMMUNICATION

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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