Once there was a father who had two sons. The younger son was curious and wanted to see the world. One day, he said to his father, “Please give me my part of the money now.” The father loved his sons very much but gave the younger son his share of the money.
The young son packed his bags and left home. He traveled to a faraway country, where everything was new and exciting. At first, he spent his money on fun things, parties, and new friends. But after a while, the money ran out, and the son was very hungry and sad.
He found a job feeding pigs, but he was so hungry that even the pigs’ food looked good to him! The son thought, “I am so hungry, and I made bad choices. Even my father’s servants have more than I do!” He felt lonely and sorry for what he had done.
Then, the son made a brave decision. He said, “I will go back to my father and say, ‘Father, I have made mistakes. Please forgive me.’” So, he started walking home with hope in his heart.
While the son was still far away, his father saw him coming. The father ran to him with open arms. He was so happy to see his son again! The father hugged him tightly and said, “Welcome home, my son! You were lost, but now you are found.”
The son said, “Father, I am sorry for leaving and making bad choices.” But the father smiled and said, “You are my son, and I love you. Let’s have a big party to celebrate!”
Everyone was happy and danced like the sun shining on a bright day. The older son was surprised and asked, “Why do you celebrate? I have always been here and worked hard.” The father said, “Your brother was lost, but now he is found. We must be happy and love each other.”
This story shows us how much God loves us. No matter what mistakes we make, God is always ready to forgive us and welcome us back with joy.
Questions to think about
- Why did the younger son want to leave home?
- What happened when the son spent all his money?
- How did the son feel when he decided to go back?
- What did the father do when he saw his son again?
- Why did the father want to have a party?
Message of the story
God loves us no matter what. When we say sorry and come back to Him, He forgives us and welcomes us with joy.
Bible passage
Luke 15:11-32
Luke 15:11-32 (ICB)
11 Jesus said, “A man had two sons.
12 The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the money.’ So the father divided his money between his two sons.
13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and left for a faraway country. There he wasted all his money by living like a sinner.
14 After he had spent everything, a very bad famine came to that country. He was very hungry.
15 So he went to a man who lived there and worked for him. The man sent him to feed pigs.
16 The son was so hungry that he wanted to fill his stomach with the pigs’ food, but no one gave him anything.
17 Then the son thought, ‘At home my father’s servants have more than enough food. But I am dying here with hunger!
18 I will go back to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against God and against you.
19 I am not good enough to be called your son. Please make me like one of your servants.”’
20 So he got up and
