May 10th Prodigal Son

There are several boxes of stuff in the church office which go with this programme  

Remind your children that this story is a parable that Jesus taught to teach us some important lessons.

Introduce the three main characters. There are three cut out figures -names on back. Dad and two sons. Prodigal has a happy side and a sad side.

Share how the father loved his sons very much. Pick up the older brother and share how he was an excellent son. He obeyed the rules, worked hard, respected his father, and so on. Ask the kids to name other good things for children to do.

Next, pick up the younger son. Explain that he was selfish and didn’t care about others. Ask the kids to name some selfish things to do. Show how the younger son asked his father to give him half of everything he owned so he could do what he wanted and never have to see his family again. Think about how this made the father feel?

Move the younger son away from his family and read Luke 15:13. Explain how he took all the good things his father gave him and began to waste them. Speak about how we waste things. Share how he thought he could buy happiness. Ask the children what things they would buy to make them happy?

Share how soon after, the younger son spent all his money and did not have food to eat. He found a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry he wanted to eat the pig’s food. If you have time, place some kitchen scraps in a bowl and ask your children if they would like to eat them for lunch.

Read Luke 15:17. Share how “he came to his senses” and decided he would return to his father and say sorry. Here is a great time for you to share a testimony with your children. It could be your own or someone you know. Share when and how did you come to your senses and return to God?

Ask your child how they feel when they have to say sorry? Afraid they will be rejected? Embarrassed by what they did?

Read Luke 15:20-25. Move the characters around to show the son returning and the father running to meet him. Remind your children that Jesus is teaching us how God reacts when we return to Him. Share how God is all gracious and patient. We can always repent and turn to Him.

Reintroduce the older brother and ask which brother do you think Jesus wants us to copy? Read Luke 15:25-32 and share how he was jealous and thought he deserved more love.

Explain that the two brothers seem very different but had a lot in common. Both had a problem with sin and needed to say sorry to the father. Share how Jesus told this parable to show that everyone needs forgiveness. Even if we do good things on the outside, God cares about what we are like on the inside.

We an watch the story now - video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJgROx4wFKM


Activity pack - theres a pig to make and various puzzle pages to do.

Game  

Feed the pigs game. ( five 'pig' posting boxes each numbered.  Lots of ears of corn. Put them in a pile and get the kids to pick one then find the corresponding pig and post the corn through the slot.  If they are having fun with this just empty the boxes and start again.  Should keep them happy for a while 

Sleeping bunnies, button prayer,

If you need something else to do at the end  Dressing up - robe, ring, sandals - the things the father gave the son.

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