The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-04-09
Improved Uniform International
Sl11nldaySchool
' Lesson
(By REV. P. B. FITZwATER, D. D., Mem
Ger OF Faculty. Moody Bible Institute
of Chicago.)
&C. 1881, Western Newspaper Union)
Lesson for April IL
THE PRoDIeAL SON

GOLOEN IEAI-LlkeWlSe, say UNTO
you, there is joy in the presence of
the angels Of God over one sinner that
repenteth.
PRIMARY ToPIC-What to Do When
We Do Wrong.
JUNIOR TOPIC-what to Do When
We Do Wrong.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-The Fathers Welcome to the Wan
6ering Son.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-The Church and the Repentant
Sinner.
The center of interest in this parable
II not the prodigal nor his brother.
but the certain man who had two
sons" He who fails to see the heart
Of our Father God will miss the pur-
pose Of the story.
I. The Sons Estrangement From the
Father ". 12).
There Is every indication that this
was a happy home, but demon en-
tered it and stirred up discomfort in
the heart Of the younger son. He be-
came tired Of the restraints Of home.
His desire for freedom moved him
willfully to choose to leave home-to
throw off the restraints of fathers
rule. Sin is essentially the desire to
be free from the restraints Of right
full authority and for selfish indulg-
ence. At the request Of the son 1.-THE
father divided unto him his living"
u. The Sons Departure ". 13).
Having made the fatal decision, he
went posthaste to the enjoyment Of
his cherished vision. He quickly got
his goods in portable shape. Having
thrown off the restraints Of his IA
theirs rule. he eagerly withdrew from
his fathers presence. This is always
the way sin works. Adam and Eve
after they had sinned hid themselves.
The son could not now stand the
presence Of his father so he fastened
away, having gathered all together"
Ill. The Sons Degeneration wv. Is,
~.
He had good time while his money
lasted, but the end came quickly. The
Indications are that his course was
soon run. From plenty in his fathers
house to restitution in the far coun-
try was short journey. The sinner Is
soon made to realize the famine when
such powers as ministered to his pleas
ure are burned out.
w. The Sons Degradation wv. Is,
1e).
Having NO friends to help him when
his money was all gone. he was driven
TO hire out to q citizen to feed swine.
It was tragic change from being .
son in his fathers house to feeding
swine in the far country. It is ever
80. Those who will not serve God are
made slaves to the Devil to do his
bidding (Romans 6:16). How wildly
this portrays the history Of many men
and women about us, and yet 1t Is the
picture of the inevitable consequences
Of sin.
v. The Sons Restoration wv. 1924.
/. HE came to himself ". ~.
Upon reflection he was made con-
scious that though he had wronged
his father and ruined himself, he was
still a son of his father. In the days
OF, his SHINING he was beside himself.
The sinner continues in his sin be-
cause he is insane. The world calls
the sinner who leaves off his evil ways
crazy, but in reality he has just be-
come sane.
2. His resolution ". 1S).
His reflection ripened into resolu-
ton. The picture Of his home, where
even the hired servants had a super
abundance, moved him to make de-
cision to leave the far country and
20 home.
8. His confession wv. Is, 1917.
He acknowledged that his sin was
against heaven and his father, that
he had forfeited his right to be called
Q son, and begged to be given place
as q hired servant. The sinner not
only should make resolution-he
should confess his sin.
4. His action ". 20).
Action was needed. Resolution will
not avail unless accompanied with &C.
ton. When the confession is genuine,
action will follow. Good intentions will
not avail.
8. His reception by his father wv.
20-24).
The father had not forgotten his
son. His unchanging love followed the
son all the time he was away, and
longed for his return. He must often
have looked for him, for he saw him
when he was a great way off. So anx-
ioas was he for him that he ran to
meet him and fell upon his neck and
kissed him. So glad was the father
that he did not even hear his confes-
sion through, but ordered the tokens
Of honor to be placed upon him, re-
q ceiving him back into a sons position.