Lessons From the Prodigal Son's Father

Lessons Learned from the Prodigal Son's Father
by Paul D. Fisher

Many times we read the parable found in Luke 15:11-32 and talk about the prodigal son and all the wrongs that he committed. How disrespectful he was in asking his father for his inheritance before his father's death! How impatient he was for leaving home so quickly and going away so far! How he committed sin by drinking and wasting his money in riotous living! We could go on and on about how badly this young man had treated his father, but that is not what this article is about.

Look at the lessons we find about the father and on raising children found in these verses. This was a loving father who no doubt was greatly grieved by his younger son's request, yet he knew when to let go. He had trained his children for just such a day, when they would be going out on their own. This father had taught his children how to work! Notice that both sons were workers (vs. 15, 25).

This father had taught his children how to think for themselves. In verse 17, the prodigal son came to himself. He thought and remembered what he had been taught and what things were like back home. This father also taught his children to admit wrong-doing and to correct things. The young man, knowing his father was a just man, summoned up the courage to return home and face his father and admit his guilt.

He returned home to learn maybe the most important lesson of his life! His father taught him about forgiveness and mercy. "And, ye fathers, provoke
not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers what are we teaching our children? Are we bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?

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