4.12. Parable: Prodigal Son

This continues our series learning about Jesus. This is week 11 in the fourth quarter of a year of Preschool Bible Study that I assist with on Wednesday evening.  This lesson is about the Prodigal Son and is so fun for the kids!

Jesus told stories to help the people understand more about Him and heaven. We are going to learn about a story He told called a parable. This lesson is found in Luke 15:11-32.

Jesus began the parable about a man that had 2 sons. The youngest son said he wanted his part of his father’s money now. The father divided what he had and gave part to the son.

A couple days later, the younger son packed his things and traveled to a country far away. The son wasted the money his father had given him! He didn’t think about the future. He just spent all the money having fun.

But then a very bad famine came to the land. This means there wasn’t enough food, and he doesn’t have money or food to take care of himself.

The only work he could find was feeding the pigs in a field. He was so hungry! He would have eaten the pig’s food! But, but no one gave him any food. He thought to himself 'My father has servants, and they have extra bread. Why should I stay here and be hungry?'

He decided to leave the country and go back home to his father.

When he was far away, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. His father ran and kissed him! He told his father “I was wrong”.

His father was so happy to have him back home, he told his servants to bring out the best robe and put it on his son. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. He told them to let us eat and be happy!

My son was lost and now he is found! God is so happy when people worship Him and are faithful to Him.

(Depending on time and listening abilities of your students, the preschool lesson can stop here.)

Let’s talk about how the older brother acted when he learned about his brother returning home.

The older son was in the field. As he came to the house, heard music and he asked a servant what was going on. The servant told him that his younger brother had returned home, and your father is having a celebration.

 

Well, he was angry. And he wouldn’t go in the house. His father came out to see him and beg him to celebrate. He told his father that “I have stayed home and helped you.  You haven’t had a celebration for me and my friends! But as soon as my brother comes back, who has wasted all his money, you serve a big meal for him.

His father told him, “Yes, you stayed here with me.  But it is right to be happy, because your brother was lost and now, he is found. “

In this parable, Jesus is telling us that God is sad when we are not faithful to Him. He is so happy when obey Him. Jesus loves us!

How did the older brother act when he heard about his brother being home?

How did he feel about the celebration for his brother?

God doesn’t like it when we are jealous. The older brother acted mean to his brother, and he wasn’t nice to his father either.

I found one verse for this song here and have permission to adapt and share it here since the author is unknown. Let me know if you are the author. The kids loved this! It is easy for them to learn. 

 Click here to download it.

This is a one-page print, fold and use booklet. Super easy and perfect for review. Color and black & white are both included. I print one in color for a teacher's visual, then the students in black & white. Click here to download.

 

I found these little pigs at Hobby Lobby. I painted these pink before handing them out in class. I bought them just for this class. You can purchase grass, straw, etc. scrapbook paper. Set the pig on it. Add a cup of the piggy food and let the kids pretend to feed their pig. You can find piggy banks here also.

I had these from VBS (It would be real easy to make some from poster board) and I leaned them up on a wall and put green felt on the floor. I added the above student pigs on the felt and they were allowed to pick one to take home.

I purchased this set of Prodigal Son backgrounds and sticker sheets to use with this lesson. I have used some of these sets before and they love these! Click here to see it.

Click here to download the lesson.

 

Click here to print the visuals.
The visuals include all the pictures available. They have been cropped, color enhanced and updated.

Click here to print the Pictures to Color.

This set of visuals have been updated as shown. The 'cloud' effect has been removed and background has been cleaned up. All the visuals are not shown and all available Sweet visuals for this lesson are included.

Click here to download the updated visuals.

Click here to download the pictures to color.
(These are the same as the visuals but are black & white.)

 

Click here to see the lesson, ideas and printables for early elementary.

Click here to see the Magnetic Board visuals.

Click here to see more for Prodigal Son.