Talk

Let God Love You

Louie Giglio

June 11, 2023

Louie Giglio introduces listeners to a refreshed and re-released version of his book Not Forsaken, Seeing God as a Perfect Father. Having compiled several years’ worth of additional content around the idea of God as ‘Father,’ Louie shares some of his findings in this powerful talk.

From the “greatest story ever told,” the story of the Prodigal son, Louie, reminds listeners who are plagued by a performance-driven faith that they, too, are already loved by a perfect heavenly Father.

Key Takeaway

Walk in freedom from a performance-based mentality as a loved son or daughter of a perfect heavenly Father.

“

There is a blessing that God wants to put on your life that is not contingent on your performance.

”

Louie Giglio

Discussion Questions

Who is the audience in the parable about the Prodigal? How does Jesus craft the parable to fit His audience?
Has the moral of this parable ever changed for you? In other words, was there ever a time you resonated with the younger son? Do you now resonate more with the older son?
Louie shares the importance of being a celebratory person when it comes to the recovery of others. Can you think of an instance where you had a hard time celebrating someone’s “return”?
Talk about the ‘footnotes’ Louie mentioned. To what extent does blessing stem from obedience?
Translate this parable into a theology for grace and judgment. What is Jesus saying through this story to the “younger son” type of listener but also the “older son” type of listener?
Why did Louie tell people that “Blowing your life up” is one (unrecommended) way to prove that God’s love is unconditional?
In your own words, explain what it means to “let someone love you.” What does it mean to “let God love you”?
We all know who the modern equivalent of the “younger son” is, but who is the modern equivalent of the “older son”?
What is the closest you come to have an “older son” mentality? What thoughts do you have about this performance-based faith?
Why is it noteworthy that the older son is not referred to as the “older brother”? Close by talking about the main character in this parable.

Scripture References

11Jesus continued:

“There was a man who had two sons.

The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.

So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.

He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!

I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’

So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“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.

Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.

‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.

But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

“ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

Louie Giglio

Louie Giglio is the Visionary Architect and Director of the Passion Movement, comprised of Passion Conferences, Passion City Church, Passion Publishing and sixstepsrecords, and the founder of Passion Institute.