How Can God Love Us?

Parable of the Lost Son

Introduction

The Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32) reveals God’s boundless love, welcoming us back

no matter how far we’ve strayed. Jesus tells of a father who runs to embrace his wayward son,

celebrating his return with joy. This worship night, we ask:How Can God Love Us? Whether you

feel unworthy or are seeking to understand His love, God pursues you with grace. Let’s explore

this parable through scripture, reflection and action, drawing on insights from Sadie Robertson

Huff and Eleanor to see how God’s love transforms us and calls us to love others.

Does God Love the Unworthy?

Luke 15:20 (NIV): “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.”

In the parable, the son squanders his inheritance, yet the father runs to him, not with judgment,

but with love. Sadie Robertson Huff reminds us that God’s love is like a “true love’s kiss” that

brings us to life, no matter our past (Huff, 2025). God loves us even when we feel unworthy,

pursuing us with compassion.

• Reflection: Do you feel unworthy of God’s Love? How does the father’s response in the

  parable change how you see God’s love for you?

• Try this: Write down one thing you feel separates you from God. Pray, asking Him to

  show you His compassion, and tear up the paper as a symbol of His forgiveness.

How Does God's Love Change Us?

John 3:16 (NIV)” “For 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.”

God’s love, shown through Jesus’ sacrifice, transforms us. Sadie Robertson Huff shares how

God’s love changed her from a place of emptiness to a life of purpose, but only when she chose

to love Him back (Huff, 2025). When we receive His love and respond, it reshapes how we

think, act, and dream.

• Reflection: Where have you seen God’s love change your life? What’s one way you can

  love Him back today?

• Try This: Spend 5 minutes in quiet prayer, thanking Jesus for His love. Journal one way

  His love has changed you or could change you.

Does Heaven Celebrate God’s love for Us?

Luke 15:7 (NIV): “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over the

one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

The parable shows the father throwing a feast for his lost son’s return, just as heaven rejoices

when we turn to God. Sadie Robertson Huff emphasizes that God’s love doesn’t stop at saving

us–it’s a supernatural reality that makes us new (Huff, 2025). Heaven celebrates when we

embrace His love.

• Reflection: Do you believe heaven rejoices over you? How does knowing God celebrates

  you inspire you to share His Love?

• Try This: Think of someone who feels far from God. Pray for them and send a kind

  message or invite them to worship to share God’s love.

What Does It Mean to Love God Back?

John 15:12-13 (NIV): “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love

has no one than this: to lay down one’ s life for one’ s friends.”

Loving God back means loving others sacrificially, as Jesus did. Eleanor from sharing.his.light

explains that love is a choice to “die to yourself” and prioritize others’ good, even when it’s hard

(Eleanor, 2025). God’s love empowers us to make this choice daily.

• Reflection: Where can you choose to love someone selflessly? What might “dying to

  yourself” look like in your life?

• Try This: Do one act of love for a friend or family member today, like choosing their

  preference over yours, and pray for strength to love like Jesus.

Are We Called to Share God’s Love?

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV): “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility

value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of

the others.”

God’s love doesn’t end with us–it flows through us to others. Sadie Robertson Huff challenges us

to move beyond seeking approval and instead love others humbly, as Christ did (Huff, 2025). As

disciples, we’re called to share God’s love, reflecting His heart to the world.

• Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God’s love through you? What’s one

  step you can take to show it?

• Try this: Have a conversation with someone about faith this week. Share how God’s love

  has touched you or invite them to church.

Next Steps

God is the Father who loves you unconditionally and calls you to share His love. Take one step this week to grow closer to Him or help someone else know His Love

• Start a daily prayer habit, asking God to fill you with His love.

• Join a Bible study to explore His love more deeply.

• Serve someone in need, showing God’s love through your actions

Prayer

Father, thank you for loving us when we are lost. Help us feel your compassion, embrace your

transformative love, and share it with others. Teach us to love you back and one another as Jesus

loves us. Guide our steps to reflect your heart. Amen.

Sources

• Huff, Sadie Robertson. “How Has God’s Love Changed Us?” THERE{4}

  Gathering 2025 Preached June 16, 2025. Youtube

• Eleanor. Tiktok video, sharing.his.light, posted May 24, 2025

P.S. Whether you have a TikTok account or not, please look up Eleanor’s channel

and watch some of her content. She talks about God and inspires others. She is a

friend of mine and I want others to be inspired by her content.