Discipleship – Sermon – Adam Paa – 7/19/26

Main message: Using the parable of the prodigal son, the sermon taught five practical discipleship principles: the church needs community and disciplers, people must surrender control to God, take responsibility and pursue deep change, learn to see others' perspectives with compassion, and rest in the reckless love of God that welcomes repentant sinners.

Key points:

• We need community — mentors and disciplers to help apply biblical truth in culturally and personally appropriate ways.
• Surrender — give people (and yourself) over to God instead of controlling or enabling; prepare in hope for a return rather than abandon them.
• Take responsibility — repent with godly sorrow, pursue long-term change beneath behaviors (not mere information or quick fixes); victims still owe no blame but do need healing.
• See the other's perspective — be curious and empathetic before confronting; challenge from compassion to enable real reconciliation.
• Jesus loves you — God runs to welcome and celebrate the returning sinner; his love is lavish and unconditional.

Scriptures mentioned: Luke 15, 2 Corinthians 7