Bible Story Lessons

Jesus told a story about a man who had two sons.  The younger son asked, "Father, give me my share of your goods."  So his father divided his possessions between his sons.  Not long after that, the younger son packed up his clothes and money, and journeyed to a distant country.   What a time he had there!  He gambled, got drunk and wasted all his money in wild parties.

Was he a good and obedient son? (Let the children respond)  No!  I think he was a very spoilt and disobedient son, and would sit and sulk if he couldn't get his own way.  Don't you think so? (Let the children respond)

After he had spent everything, he soon lost all his so called friends.   But worse times were to come.  The rain hadn't fallen for many months and now there was a severe famine in that country, and he became very hungry!  What could he do? (Let the children respond).

One night as he lay wide awake with his stomach grumbling loudly, he decided to find a job the very next day.  Early next morning he got up and went to a nearby farm and begged a job.  The farmer hired him and sent him into the fields to feed his pigs.  But, no one gave him anything to eat!

He became so hungry that he even started to eat the pig's food.  Let's make noises like some hungry pigs! (Let the children respond).  Pigs are dirty animals aren't they, so would you like to eat pig's food? (Let the children respond).  No!  You only eat good food that your mother or father buys and prepares.

When the younger son came to his senses, he thought, "How many of my father's servants have more than enough food to eat, and here I am starving to death!  I will return home and say: "Father, I have done wrong against Heaven and against you.  I'm no longer good enough to be your son, so make me one of your servants!"  So he left his job and said goodbye to the pigs.  Let's make noises like the pigs as they grunted back at the young man.  (Let the children respond).

And so he travelled back home to his father, and while he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with pity for him.  So he ran and threw his arms around his son and kissed him.  The son said to him, "Father, I have done wrong, against Heaven and against you.  I am no longer good enough to be called your son!"

But his father said to the servants, "Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  And bring the best calf here and prepare it, for we are going to have a feast and celebrate.  This son of mine was dead and is alive again, and was lost and now is found."  So they began to dance and be glad.

We can never be good enough, but Jesus wants to be our Best Friend.   God loves us with an everlasting love, and so He sent Jesus to die for all the wrong things we have done. And like the father in the story, God will welcome you as one of His beloved children!

Perhaps like the prodigal son you have done wrong things and now you feel bad inside.  Just tell Jesus what you have done wrong, and ask Him to forgive you.  And then Jesus will fill you with His warmth and love.

God bless!