The Story
Read the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.
Retelling of the story for younger children.
Key ideas for discussion
- When the younger son returned home, how was he feeling?
- How does his father feel when his son returns?
- How did the other brother feel? Why did the older brother feel that way?
- What did the father say to his elder son? (“Son, you are always with me and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.”)
- When are we like the prodigal son? (When we do what is wrong – turning away from the Lord – and then decide to stop doing it and do what is right.)
- How is the Lord like the father in this story? (The Lord is always ready to forgive us and help us do what is good.)
See Family Worship: The Prodigal Son for more discussion ideas.
Learn more about the prodigal son
- “The Prodigal Son” by Thomas L. Kline (ages 18 and up)
The story of the prodigal son is the personal story of our rebirth and regeneration. - “The Prodigal Son” by Douglas M. Taylor (ages 7-14)
If we stop doing a wrong thing, the Lord will always forgive us and help us make a new start. - “The Prodigal Son” audio family talk by Peter M. Buss, Sr. (ages 7-14)
Projects and activities for all ages
- Song Video: The Prodigal Son by Lori S. Odhner
The story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) set to music for easy learning. - Father and Son Come Together (ages 3-6)
Create a moving picture to show the joyful reunion of father and son. - Prodigal Son Puppet Theater (ages 7-10)
Make puppets to act out the story while a teacher reads it aloud. - The Lost Son Coloring Page by Josephine Ellis
Shows the prodigal son sitting with the swine before returning home. - Dramatize the Parable of the Prodigal Son
Children show what is happening in the story as an adult reads it aloud. - The Prodigal Son Returns Coloring Page by Marguerite L. Acton
Shows the prodigal son returning home and humbly kneeling before his father. - Prodigal Son Accordion Display (ages 7-10)
Sequence and color pictures of the story to create a table top display. - The Prodigal Son and His Brother (ages 11-14)
Explores the actions of both sons and their reactions to their father. - For Reflection: The Prodigal Son and His Brother (for teens and up)
When do we identify with older brother rather than the prodigal son?
Further thoughts
The prodigal son and his elder brother both illustrates aspects of our life journey while the father pictures the Lord as our heavenly Father. The Lord permits us go our way, just as the father gave the younger son the freedom to live where and how he wished. But He rejoices for us when we choose to return to Him, because conjunction with the Lord will bring us much greater happiness than “prodigal living” can. The Lord in His mercy is always ready to forgive us and guide us along the pathway to heaven.
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