A representation of the power of God: Kana walks in the garden in the Eternal Dimension

Discussion Questions:

• What stood out most to you in the story?

• How would you describe the character Kana?

• Kana is a very powerful character—did you pick up what her powers were?

• What do her powers tell you about her?

• This series is exploring faith in Jesus. Who do you think Kana might be a picture or parallel of?

Say something like this:

“This week, our chapter introduces Kana. We're beginning to explore how Kana reflects the part of God we call Father. There's a strong connection to God's power—hinted at in Kana’s story.

Don’t get too hung up on Kana being portrayed as female. The reason Kana is written this way is to help us remember that God is far too big to be captured by any one image. In fact, God is so vast that He humbles Himself to become small enough for us to know—even small enough to be a baby.

In this chapter, Kana walks through the Eternal Dimension and has an interaction with a royal guard that reflects something playful and surprising about God's nature.”

In this week’s bag, you’ll find a craft stone and a fingerprint set. This activity creates a visual image of a firm foundation, which ties into the passages we’ll read.

1. Place the stone in the middle of the group and explain that it represent the trust we can place in God.

2. Invite each young person to leave a fingerprint on the stone.

3. Use this as a springboard for discussion about what the image means to them.

For example:

• God’s promises are a trusted foundation.

• We’re all individuals, yet we are connected to God.

Leave the finished stone in the centre of your group. Use it as a visual prompt to discuss how God can be the foundation of our lives.

Next, we’ll read the story of the Lost Son—an image of God’s love as a dependable and trustworthy Father.

Optional question to explore before the reading:
If God is a foundation, can you think of a moment in your life where you needed something to hold you steady?

The Parable of the Lost Son

“… Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

“When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’

“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’

“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’””

Leader tip:

This passage is also available as a dramatised video on platforms.

• In past weeks we’ve talked about identity. What do you think the lost son believed about himself?

• How does his view of himself change throughout the story?

• How would you describe the father in this parable?

• If this father is a picture of God, what do we learn about who God is?

  Optional Scriptures:

  To reinforce the idea of God as a firm foundation, you might explore:

  • Matthew 7:24–29 – The Wise and Foolish Builders

Take a moment to pray for your group. Remind them that God always welcomes those who come back to Him. He is a firm foundation—steadfast, loving, and strong.

Keep the fingerprinted stone safe—you’ll need it again for the response next week.

You will instinctively know how best to pray for your young people. Begin by asking them if there’s anything they would like the group to pray about together. Depending on your group, you may also want to invite them to pray for one another. Below are a few points you might want to pick up on:

• Pray for young people to grasp the Father-heart of God:

Pray that each young person would begin to understand God not as distant or harsh, but as a strong, dependable, and loving Father. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the reality of God's welcome and presence in their lives—especially to those who may feel far from Him.

• Pray for meaningful encounters through the activity and story:

Pray that the fingerprint activity and the story of the Lost Son would create space for deep reflection and connection. Ask God to use these moments to speak to individual hearts, helping each young person to recognise their value, identity, and belonging in Him.