Bringing Home the Prodigals [Paperback]

Rob Parsons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 4, 2008

Rob Parsons’ message is for anyone who cares about prodigals. He urges us to be released from false guilt, to stop judging each other, and to remember that God, the perfect parent, has trouble with his children, too.

He challenges the church to recognize the part it has played in creating prodigals and says, "When our prodigals do come home, pray that they meet the father first and not the elder brother!"
But this is not just for other people. "We suddenly see that the dirty, tear-stained face coming down the road is our face. And then we discover what, deep in our heart, we knew all along: we are the prodigal."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book can help prevent tragedy."

-Josh McDowell, author & speaker

"Rob Parsons is one of the most effective communicators in the world today, and I believe the message of Bringing Home the Prodigals is vital for our nation at this time."

-Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family

--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Review

"Rob Parsons is a master storyteller, and in this book he tells stories that brilliantly illustrate how to live out God's call to a ministry of reconciliation. When it comes to ending estrangement, especially when it comes to overcoming the separateness from those who are dearest to us, this book give heartwarming advice."
-- Tony Campolo, Ph.D., Eastern University

"This book is a gift to the whole church."
-- Dr. R.T. Kendall, former minister at Westminster Chapel, London

"Not just for those with prodigals—this book can help prevent tragedy. Read it while your children are young."
-- Rev. Steve Chalke, founding director of Oasis Trust

"This book can help prevent tragedy."
-- Josh McDowell, author and speaker

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Authentic (February 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934068691
• ISBN-13: 978-1934068694
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #774,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong message, well-told, July 28, 2008

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bringing Home the Prodigals (Paperback)

If you are a parent, or have a loved one who is a prodigal, this book is for you!

In his book, Bringing Home the Prodigals (based on the Biblical story of the prodigal son), Rob Parsons addresses prodigal children. He doesn't focus, however, on the whys, the guilt, the self-judging of us and the prodigal because he is an encourager. He gives help and hope to the reader in guiding the prodigal home and back to the heart of God.

Parsons' book is short and easily read. I would suggest reading it through and then returning to it and rereading the parts, accompanied by prayer that spoke to the heart. Readers will want to keep a Bible with them as they navigate the book. I would have liked to see more scripture included and found myself distracted in wondering why there wasn't more versus to add to the message.

Parsons' book sends the reader beyond the child of a family and you begin to ponder the prodigals in our churches. Parsons talks about prodigals returning and suggests that when they do, it would be better if they first met the Father and not the elder brother. Isn't that a message about how we treat each other and the part we all have played in creating the prodigal? And isn't it something we need to think about?

Armchair Interviews says: A must read for families and church members.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every Christian needs to read this book..., May 19, 2008

By 

Janna R. Ryan (Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bringing Home the Prodigals (Paperback)

I was asked to review this book for my blog and that has turned out to be a huge honor. I am blown away by the heart of this book and Rob Parsons for the lost, even the lost who never left home. This book is timely and relevant to where the church is right now. Rob mentions how we are leading people to Jesus and they are coming in the front door even as prodigals are leaving out the back door because of the older brother's critical spirit. On page 105 he says...

If your prodigals do come home, pray with all your hearts that they meet the father first and not the elder brother.
Oh that elder brother! The one who did his sinning without ever leaving. The one who needed to "come home" every bit as much as his brother but who could never grasp what the heart of real love is - both to give and to receive it.

For a non-fiction book, it is a very easy read but it will blow your mind!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bringing Them Home, May 29, 2008

By 

Jennifer Bogart "@ Quiverfullfamily.com" (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bringing Home the Prodigals (Paperback)

Most of us know a family that is struggling with a prodigal child - seeking to draw their hearts back to Jesus. Watching these families and their grief over the children they love - the children they raised to seek Jesus - awoke a concern for my own wee ones in my heart. Though our children are still small: 5, 2, and one on the way - it is my heart's desire for them all to come to know and love the Lord. As Christian parents this is the deepest desire of all of our hearts for our children. But what happens when they turn their back on Him and His ways despite our best efforts? What do we do when they become prodigals?

In Bringing Home the Prodigals author Rob Parsons addresses the heart of the issue of prodigal children. It may not be what you think the heart of this issue is either. Instead of focusing on the "why's", Parsons goes past the wondering "What did I do wrong? What could I have done differently?", there are other titles available that focus on keeping our children's hearts - Parsons is here to encourage. He focuses on what we can now do - as parents of these prodigals - to gently guide them home to us, and more importantly, to God.

Engagingly written, this short book of 119 pages can be read in a day, but it will bear re-reading at a slower, more devotional pace to reap the riches to be found here. Though I am not the parent of a prodigal, Parsons ponderings on how we deal with prodigals as individuals, and as a church led me to examine my own spiritual life and dealings with others. I thank Parsons for drawing us back to the heart of God for the lost as demonstrated in the parable of the prodigal son.

As much as I enjoyed reading this title, I would have enjoyed seeing some more scripture directly in the text - for a non-fiction Christian title there seemed to be relatively little scripture presented. The main scripture that the book is based on, the parable of the prodigal son is not once included in the text of the book, which did seem a bit odd. Scripture is presented from the NIV, The Message and The Amplified Bible. KJV readers will want their bibles handy.

Parsons writing voice is warm and encouraging; his years of walking with and teaching the relations of prodigals shine through in this book through the prayers, reflections and testimonies presented. I am thankful to have this book available to lend to the families I know who are dealing with this issue, to let them know that there is hope if we lay our prodigals at the feet of Jesus. Bringing Home the Prodigals encourages us to love, to pray, to stay open, to always be watching and to always keep a light on.