---
title: "The Way Back Home"
date: 2025-08-27
author: "Laurie Stroud"
featured_image: "https://birminghamchristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/lightstock_885798_medium_wendy.jpg"
categories:
  - name: "Encouragement"
    url: "/category/news/spiritual/encouragement.md"
tags:
  - name: "Featured"
    url: "/tag/featured.md"
---

# The Way Back Home

**Encouraging Word**

There is a familiar parable Jesus mentions in Luke 15 referred to as the Prodigal Son. It is about a younger son who requested his inheritance early. Upon receiving it, he left the security of home and traveled to a distant country. This poor decision and a series of bad choices led to a detrimental change of lifestyle. The Bible says he squandered his estate on loose living. With his money gone, he was unable to take care of his needs, and he became destitute. He eventually found himself in the “pig pen.” Being overwhelmed and at the end of his rope, he began his journey home. Let’s look at the eight steps he took to find his way back home.

**1.** First, the son **recognized** his condition. Luke 15:17 says, *“he came to his senses.”* He acknowledged his need and accepted responsibility for it.

**2.** Next, he **remembered** what he left behind- the security of home, the values he had been taught and the wholesome way of life.

**3.** After remembering, he then decided to **return** home (Luke 15:18) and humbly ask his father to take him back as a hired servant.

**4.** He **repented** of his sin (Luke 15:18-19). He confessed his sin and decided to forsake it and ask for forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

**5**. He was **received** by his father (Luke 15:20). His father showed him compassion and welcomed him home with open arms.

**6.** After being received, he was **reconciled** to his father. To be reconciled means to restore friendly relations and to come back together (Luke 15:22).

**7.** He was **restored** (Luke 15:22). He was accepted back into the family as a son and received a robe, family ring and sandals.

**8.** Finally, there was **rejoicing** (Luke 15:23-24). A celebration was given in honor of the son’s return home.

As Christians, there may be times when we stumble, get tripped up by sin, or stray off course in our walk with God. There may be occasions when our struggles are intense, and our suffering seems unbearable. We may be tempted to temporarily take our focus off Jesus and lose our way. When this occurs, let’s learn from the prodigal the steps to take and return home to the Father!

*-Tony Cooper*

*Director Emeritus of the Jimmie Hale Mission*

[*www.jimmiehalemission.com*](http://www.jimmiehalemission.com)