The Prodigal Son
God's Forgiveness
Luke 15:11-32about 2 minutes to read aloud
Jesus told this story. "A man had two sons. The younger one said, 'Father, give me my share of the estate now.' So the father divided his property between them."
"The younger son gathered everything and traveled to a far country. There he wasted all his money on wild living. Then a famine came over that land, and he had nothing."
"He took a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry he longed to eat the pigs' food. No one gave him anything. Then he came to his senses. 'My father's servants have bread to spare, and here I am starving. I will get up and go to my father.'"
"So he went. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him. And the father was filled with compassion. He ran to his son. He threw his arms around him and kissed him."
"The son said, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father called to the servants, 'Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Kill the fattened calf. Let us celebrate.'"
"'For this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.' And they began to celebrate." That is what the Father is like, Jesus said. He is always watching the road.
Questions to talk about
What did the younger son do with his share?
Show the answer
He wasted it all on wild living in a distant country.
What did the father do when he saw his son coming home?
Show the answer
While the son was still far off, the father ran to him with compassion.
What did the father say about his son?
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The father said, "This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."
The lesson
The Father runs to meet the child who comes home. This is the heart of God.
