This lesson teaches children that God is always searching for us, and He is joyful when anyone turns back to Him. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God looks for every person who is lost, and He is glad when they come home to Him. He loves us so much that He never gives up on us.
Memory Verse
Luke 15:7
I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
(WEB)
Have children hold up both hands with their palms open, then slowly bring their hands together as they say the verse. Then have them cup their hands and lift them up, as if carrying something home, and say “Rejoice” together with a big smile.
The Story: Luke 15 for Kids
One day, many tax collectors and sinners came close to Jesus to listen to Him. Some religious leaders grumbled and said, “This man welcomes sinners and even eats with them!” Jesus wanted them to understand how God feels, so He told them some stories.
In the first story, a shepherd had one hundred sheep. One sheep got lost. The shepherd left the other ninety-nine and searched until he found it. When he found it, he lifted it onto his shoulders and was full of joy. He went home and called his friends, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”
In the second story, a woman had ten silver coins and lost one. She lit a lamp, swept the whole house, and searched carefully until she found it. When she found it, she called her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin I had lost!”
Then Jesus told a longer story about a father with two sons. The younger son asked for his share of the money and left home to live far away. He spent all his money on wild living. When a great hunger came to that land, he had nothing left and had to feed pigs just to survive. He was so hungry he wished he could eat the pigs’ food.
The young man finally thought, “Even my father’s hired workers have plenty of bread. I will go home and say, I have sinned, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” So he started walking back home. While he was still far away, his father saw him, ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him.
The father called for his best robe, a ring, and sandals, and he held a happy party. He said, “My son was lost, and now he is found!” But the older brother was out in the field and became angry about the celebration. His father went out to talk with him, and the story ends with the father saying, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.”
Read It Together
Luke 15:4-5
4 “Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? 5 When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
(WEB)
Point out that the shepherd does not give up on the one lost sheep. Ask children to notice how carefully and lovingly the shepherd carries the sheep home.
Luke 15:20
“He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
(WEB)
Show children that the father saw his son from far away and ran to meet him. Explain that this shows how eager God is to welcome us back when we return.
Luke 15:24
For this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ They began to celebrate.
(WEB)
Help children hear the father’s joy in his words. Point out the two phrases “was dead, and is alive again” and “was lost, and is found” to show how God restores us completely.
Talk About It
- Why do you think the shepherd went looking for just one sheep when he still had ninety-nine?
- How do you think the woman felt when she finally found her lost coin?
- What do you think the younger son was feeling when he decided to go home?
- How did the father show that he loved his son even before the son said sorry?
- Why do you think the older brother did not want to join the party, and how could he have felt differently?
Activity Ideas
Lost and Found Sheep Craft
You will need cotton balls, paper plates, glue, and a marker. Have children glue cotton balls onto a paper plate to make a fluffy sheep and draw a face on it. Then have them write “Found!” on the back. As they work, talk about how the shepherd rejoiced when he found his sheep.
Hide and Seek Rejoice
Hide a small toy or coin somewhere in the room while children close their eyes. Let the children search for it, and when someone finds it, have everyone cheer and say, “Rejoice with me, for I have found it!” Explain that God searches for us the same way and is happy when we come back to Him.
Take-Home Welcome Card
You will need paper, crayons, and an envelope. Ask each child to draw a picture of a time someone welcomed them home, then write or draw one thing they can do to welcome someone back. Have them place the card in the envelope to take home and share with their family.
Teacher Notes
For adults, these parables reveal that God actively pursues people who have wandered away. The shepherd and the woman both search with determination, and the father runs to welcome his son before any apology is spoken. Heaven responds with joy when anyone repents, showing that God’s grace comes first and is abundant.
With children, avoid suggesting that God only welcomes people after they behave perfectly, or that the older brother is simply a bad person. The story is about God’s generous love for all His children, and children should understand that God’s welcome is available to everyone who turns back to Him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Father, thank You for always looking for us and never giving up. Thank You for running to welcome us home when we come back to You. Help us to be happy for others when they return to You, and help us to show Your love to everyone. Amen.
