01 / Begin here

You don’t need to have it all worked out.

Some of us arrive with faith. Some arrive with questions. Some have had enough of easy religious answers. There is room for all of those starting points here.

Across this course, we’ll explore the Bible’s bigger story and ask what it might mean for ordinary life. Eastside is a Seventh-day Adventist community. We’ll explain that perspective openly, while giving you space to question and disagree.

This week, begin with a human question: where do we look for a sense of belonging?

02 / Read the story

Two readings. Plenty to notice.

We use the New Living Translation (NLT). The links open in a new tab so you can keep your workbook here.

A reflection on life’s seasons, our limits and our longing for something larger.

Jesus tells a story about a father and two sons. Notice both sons, and how the father responds to each.

03 / Explore

What makes someone belong?

Jesus often taught through stories called parables. They invite us to recognise ourselves, question our assumptions and see familiar things differently.

In this story, one son leaves and another stays. Yet both struggle with their relationship to the father. One hopes to return as a servant; the other describes his years at home in terms of work and reward.

The father goes out to meet both. Christians often read his welcome as a picture of God’s grace: love and acceptance that are not wages for good behaviour.

You don’t have to agree with that reading to explore it. What feels hopeful about this father? What feels difficult, unfair or surprising?

04 / Your reflections

Make room for your own response.

Planned live-course visibility: your answers, notes and questions will be visible to you and Pastor Sam, but not to other participants. This trial does not send or share them.

05 / Bring it to the conversation

Notes & questions

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