There are seven types of story that come up again and again across every time and culture. This term we’ll explore those stories, consider what they tell us about our humanity, and how they help us understand the true story of Jesus.
Today, we’re thinking about Voyage and Return stories.
Ask for a volunteer to pray a short prayer that however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d know him better as a result of your time together.
Ready for Impact (10 minutes)
Ask group members:
- Share your experiences of what it’s felt like when you’ve been away from home.
Impacted by the Word – Part One (10 minutes)
This video tells the story of Alice in Wonderland, where Alice’s journey away from home totally changes how she understands herself and her home.
Download this video to watch offline or read the transcript here.
Voyage and Return stories show how we can take life at home for granted. Restlessness and blindness might draw us away. It's only when we’re away that we understand ourselves and home for what it really is.
- What are some of your favourite Voyage and Return stories (true or fictional)?
- What do you think is attractive about Voyage and Return stories?
Impacted by the Word – Part Two (10 minutes)
Ask for a volunteer to read Luke 15:11-31 to the group.
This video will help your group encounter the cost of Jesus’ journey away from home that ensured our welcome as his children.
Download this video to watch offline or read the transcript here.
Jesus introduces two sons of the same father.
- Compare the two sons, describing each of them in three words.
- Why do you think the younger son had to be in the pigsty before he could see how good he had it at home?
- Imagine yourself as the younger son at the welcome home party. How might your view of your father have changed?
In Jewish custom the younger son's request for his inheritance whilst his father was still alive was in effect writing the father’s death certificate. It’s an inexcusable sin which would have brought shame on the whole family.
- What does the older son’s outrage reveal about his view of his father?
- Despite never having left home the older son is also lost. What has he misunderstood about his father?
At the end of the story we’ve witnessed the father reach out to both of his sons, despite their attitudes to Him. Jesus uses these sons to depict how we might relate to Him.
- If God’s welcome is as warm and as lavish as this, what things might keep us from enjoying life with him?
As the son plans his return home, we witness in his words a change of heart towards his father. The disgrace he brought upon the family has both a horizontal and a vertical dimension to it. These words then serve as his confession. In the ancient world, to offend your father was to offend God himself. Disrespect for the created order within a family was to disregard that which God had blessed you with. If the son is to receive forgiveness he must recognise his wrong doings to both God and his father.
Impacting Our Hearts (10 minutes)
The lavish love and acceptance offered to these sons is undeserved. It’s God’s lavish love for us that led Jesus to the cross so that, as lost daughters and sons, we too might be welcomed home. Our welcome cost Him everything – His very life. And yet he willingly gave it.
Listen to the video below.
Encourage your group to reflect individually whilst they listen.
- Which son’s response to the father resonates with you most at present?
- Spend some time asking for God’s help for the times you feel yourself resisting his welcome.
If you’re able to sing in your group time, why not consider some of the following songs: The Goodness of Jesus, Come Thou Fount, Amazing Grace.
Impacting the University (15 minutes)
It can feel daunting to raise the topic of faith with our friends. A great place to start is by telling your own voyage and return story.
Encourage your group to answer the following questions to help map their own story in groups of two or three. Make sure people recognise that their own story may not be a complete one or a work in progress and that's ok.
- Where did you look for life away from God?
- What was living life like away from God like? (NB: just like the older brother you may have lived life looking to be welcomed by your own actions rather than trusting God’s acceptance of you)
- What was it that caused you to come to your senses? (How did that feel? What were some of your questions / struggles?)
- How has knowing the welcome of God changed your life?
Now take time to tell your story as one coherent piece. Give each other encouragement and feedback. Pray for the opportunity to share your story with someone this week, and let each other know in your group chat how this prayer is answered.
Wrap-up – TACOS 🌮
Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.
Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.
Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?
Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.
See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or just hanging out in the meantime!