SESSION OBJECTIVE:

1. Share a funny story about a time when you got into a jam and needed help. This could be a story about your car getting stuck in the snow, getting a bracelet caught in your hair, or something like that.

2. Tell about a time when you tried to make a fresh start of some kind in your life— a new job, a new relationship, break a bad habit, or improve yourself— and failed. Looking back, why do you think it didn’t work?

THE WORD

Read Luke 15:14– 20. This part of Jesus’s story shows how the son humbled himself and went looking for the help he needed to start over again.

1. When the son realized he needed some help, who did he think of, and why?

2. What kind of reaction did the young man expect from his father? What kind of reaction did he actually get?

3. What does the reaction by this father (representing God) teach you about having the confidence to return to God?

Until we admit that we are powerless on our own to find fulfillment in this life, we will never truly find our way back to God. But once we recognize our need for help, we have already made the turn that leads us home to our heavenly Father. If you’re like every other person, you’ll try to go it on your own many times in the years to come. You’ll even try to please and serve God on your own— and that won’t work either. You and I can’t do it on our own, and that is very good to know. Let your awakening to your need for help continue to shape your choices in the years ahead. Help has a name. His name is Jesus. And he will never leave you. Every time you turn away from self- centeredness and pride, he will be there to rescue, strengthen, and guide you on your journey with him.

THE LIFE

1. Would you say you are at a point of admitting you need help to lead a life different from the one you have? Why or why not?

2. What sort of response do you expect to receive from God if you come to him and ask him to accept you through grace?

Read the following passage from Scripture and underline one or more lines that mean the most to you.

“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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” – John 3:16–21

It’s time to realize you need help to get out of the cycle of longing, disappointment, and regret. You don’t have enough willpower to change on your own. Instead, you must surrender to the One who wants more for your life than you could ever imagine. Help has a name— Jesus.

Tell Him that you want to re-commit your life to Him and ask for His help to put you back on the path of walking with Him through life.

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THROUGH SONG

He’s Able

He’s able, He’s able; I know He’s able
I know my lord is able to carry me through (repeat 2x)
He heals the broken hearted and sets the captive’s free
He makes the lame to walk again and causes the blind to see
That’s why, He’s able, He’s able; I know He’s able
I know my Lord is able to carry me through

THROUGH PRAYER

Pray the following prayer:
God, if You are real, make Yourself real to me.
Awaken in me the willingness
to turn toward You for help.

As you continue to pray, tell God about your desires to move beyond the failures of your past and to begin a new life with Him.