Parable of the Prodigal (Mar 27, 2022)

READ: Jesus often told stories of lost things.
Once he told the story of a man and his two sons. The younger son said to his father, “Give me my inheritance now so that I may enjoy it.” So the father divided his property. The younger son gathered all he had and went to a distant country. Soon he had spent all his money and had nothing left. He was hungry and poor. So he got a job feeding a farmer’s pigs. He was so hungry he thought about eating the pigs’ food.
He thought about home and how everyone who worked for his family had plenty to eat. So he decided to go back to his father and ask for a job.
When he got close to home, his father saw him on the road. He ran to his son and wrapped his arms around him in a big hug.
Before the son could say he was sorry, his father called out for new clothes to be brought, with new shoes, and a ring. And then he told his servants to prepare a party with all the best food to celebrate his son’s return.
The elder brother had been hard at work in the fields. When he came home and found out what all the ruckus was about, he refused to go inside. 
His father came out and begged him to come back in. But the older brother said, “I’ve always stayed with you, working hard. But you’ve never thrown a party like this for me!
The father held open his arms and said, “All that is mine is yours. Let us celebrate because your brother was lost and has been found.” (Luke 15:11-32)

WONDER: I wonder what Jesus’ followers felt when they heard this story? 
I wonder what the father felt when he saw his younger son coming home?
I wonder how the younger son felt when his father hugged him?
I wonder who this story is about--the younger son? the older son? the father?
I wonder why Jesus told this story?
I wonder whether the older son comes inside?

SAY: In this story we see God always welcomes us with love and compassion.

PRAY: Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for always welcoming us in with love, even when we’ve made bad choices or when we think we’ve let you down. Amen.
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EXTEND

• Affirmation prompt: God loves me no matter what. Using your favorite art materials create a picture of a home. What would a celebration look like there? Who would be invited? (Prompt is from A Sanctified Art, Full to the Brim children's resources.)
• ​Read Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak or listen to the story on YouTube. Talk about why Max leaves home. What brings him back?