This lesson teaches children that no matter how far they wander, their heavenly Father is always ready to welcome them home. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is like a loving father who is always glad when we come back to him. We can always go home to him, even after we have made mistakes.
Memory Verse
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)
Stand up tall, then slowly bend forward like you are running home. Open your arms wide as you say the verse, then wrap them around yourself like a hug. Practice this motion together so children can picture the father running to his son.
The Story: Luke 15 for Kids
Once there was a man who had two sons. The younger son came to his father and said, “Father, please give me the money that will one day be mine.” His father agreed, and the young son took his share and left for a faraway country. He spent all of his money on parties and foolish things, and soon he had nothing left.
Then a great hunger came to that land, and the young son had no food. He found a job feeding pigs for a man in that country. He was so hungry that he wished he could eat the food the pigs were eating, but nobody gave him anything. He felt very sad and very lonely.
The young son thought about his home. He said to himself, “Even my father’s servants have plenty of bread, and here I am starving. I will go home and say, Father, I have sinned against you. Please let me be like one of your servants.” So he got up and started the long walk back home.
While he was still far away, his father saw him coming. The father felt full of love and ran to meet his son. He hugged him and kissed him. The son said, “Father, I have sinned against you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father called to his servants, “Bring the best robe and a ring for his hand! We will have a party, because my son was lost, and now he is found!”
Now the older son was out in the field working. When he heard music and dancing, he was angry and would not go into the house. His father came out and begged him to join the celebration. The older son complained that he had always worked hard and never got a party. The father said, “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours. We should celebrate, because your brother was lost and is found.”
Read It Together
Luke 15:4-6
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. 6 When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
(WEB)
Point out how the shepherd searches for one lost sheep and does not give up. Ask the children how the shepherd must feel when he finds it and carries it home. Explain that this shows how much God cares about each person.
Luke 15:17-19
17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. 19 I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’
(WEB)
Show the children how the younger son thinks about his mistakes and decides to go home. Point out that he planned what he would say to his father. Explain that turning back to God is called repentance, and God welcomes it.
Luke 15:31-32
31 “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”
(WEB)
Help children see that the father speaks kindly to the older son too. Point out that the father wants both sons to be part of the family. Explain that God’s love is for everyone, even people who feel they have been good for a long time.
Talk About It
- How do you think the younger son felt when he was hungry and far from home?
- What did the father do when he saw his son coming back, and what does that tell us about God?
- Why do you think the older son felt angry about the party?
- What is one thing you could say to God if you knew you had done something wrong?
- How can we show kindness to someone who has made a mistake, like the father did?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Father’s Hug
You will need paper plates, crayons, glue, and yarn. Have each child draw a face on a paper plate to show a happy father, then glue two paper arms made from folded paper onto the sides. Tie a short piece of yarn to the back so the child can hang it up. As you make it, talk about how the father ran to hug his son.
Running Home Relay
Set up two cones or chairs at opposite ends of a room to mark “far country” and “home.” Children start at the far country and run to home one at a time, then stop and say the memory verse with open arms. Playing this lets children feel the joy of coming back. Keep it gentle and safe for everyone.
Welcome Home Card
You will need a piece of paper, markers, and a stamp or sticker. Ask each child to write or draw a message saying they are glad when someone comes home. Encourage them to take the card home and give it to a family member as a reminder that loved ones always welcome us back. This helps the lesson continue after class.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this parable shows that God’s grace is generous and rushes toward anyone who turns back to him. It also reminds us that God’s love reaches the faithful older son as much as the wayward younger one. The story calls believers to rejoice when others come home rather than keeping score.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that they must be bad before God will love them. The point is that God welcomes everyone who returns, not that wrongdoing earns attention. Keep the focus on the father’s love and the joy of coming home.
A Prayer to Close
Father God, thank you that we can always come back to you. Help us remember that you run to meet us with love. Help us welcome others the way you welcome us. Amen.
