Jesus tells this story while tax collectors and sinners gather to hear him — and religious leaders grumble that he welcomes them (Luke 15:1–2).
Goal: Students can retell the parable and explain that God welcomes back everyone who returns to Him.
You'll need: A Bible · Printed quiz sheets OR one screen (laptop/projector) · Printed A/B/C/D cards (optional — in the Classroom Mode print pack) · Take-home slips (included in this lesson's print pack)
Ask: "Have you ever lost something you really cared about — and then found it? How did it feel?" Take 2–3 answers.
Say: "Today's story is about a father who lost something more important than any thing — and what happened when he got it back."
Set the scene in one sentence first: "Jesus told this story because some people were complaining that he spent time with people who had done wrong things (Luke 15:1–2) — keep that in mind when we meet the older brother."
Then read Luke 15:11–32 aloud, or have confident readers take turns (vv. 11–16, 17–24, 25–32).
For younger groups, pause twice: after v. 16 ("What has the younger son done so far?") and after v. 24 ("What did the father do when he saw him coming?").
Option A — Classroom Mode: 2–3 teams, kids answer aloud or with A/B/C/D cards. After each reveal, read the explanation line. Untimed; let discussion happen.
Option B — on paper (no screen needed): hand out the student quiz sheets from the print pack. Read each question aloud, kids mark answers (solo or in pairs), then go through the answer key together, reading each reference. Same questions, same discussion moments.
1. "Why do you think the younger son decided to go home?" (v. 17 — "he came to his senses")
2. "The father ran to meet him. What does that tell us about God?"
3. "The older brother was angry. Was that fair? What did the father tell him?" (vv. 31–32)
Close the discussion with the text's own picture: "While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him, was filled with compassion, and ran to him (v. 20). Jesus told this story so we'd know that's what God is like — ready to run and welcome back anyone who comes home."
Recap the objective in one sentence together.
Optional memory verse: Luke 15:24 ("…he was lost and is found.").
Hand out take-home slips / tell kids a game link is going to their parents. Short closing prayer.
1. What did the younger son ask his father for? — His share of the inheritance/property (Luke 15:12)
2. What job was he doing when he decided to go home? — Feeding pigs (Luke 15:15–17)
3. What three things did the father tell the servants to bring for his son? — The best robe, a ring, and sandals (Luke 15:22)
Parent prompt: Ask your child: who in the story do you think felt happiest at the end — and why?
Circle the letter of the best answer.
1. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, what does the younger son ask his father for?
A. Permission to go to school
B. His share of the family inheritance
C. Money to buy new clothes
D. Help building a house
2. What happens to the younger son's money while he is in the distant country?
A. He saves it carefully for emergencies
B. He invests it wisely in business
C. He gives it to poor people
D. He squanders it through wild living
3. When the younger son runs out of money, what job does he take to survive?
A. He feeds pigs
B. He works in a bakery
C. He becomes a fisherman
D. He works as a servant in a temple
4. What does the younger son decide to do after coming to his senses?
A. He plans to steal money from his employer
B. He decides to become a farmer
C. Return to his father and confess that he has sinned
D. He plans to find his brother for help
5. How does the father react when he sees his younger son approaching?
A. He refuses to speak to his son
B. He runs toward his son with compassion and embraces him
C. He asks his son to leave immediately
D. He makes his son work before forgiving him
6. What does the father order his servants to prepare to celebrate his son's return?
A. A simple meal of bread and water
B. A hunting expedition
C. A journey to the distant country
D. A great feast with a fattened calf
7. How does the older son feel about his father's celebration for his younger brother?
A. He is happy and celebrates with them
B. He is too tired to attend the feast
C. He is angry and refuses to go into the celebration
D. He leaves home to find adventure
8. What is the main lesson Jesus teaches through the Parable of the Prodigal Son?
A. Parents should always give their children their inheritance early
B. God forgives and welcomes back those who repent, no matter how far they have strayed
C. Older siblings deserve more than younger siblings
D. It is better to stay home than to travel to distant places
1. B — His share of the family inheritance (Luke 15:12)
The younger son asked his father to divide the inheritance and give him his share early (Luke 15:12). This request shows his desire to leave home and live independently.
2. D — He squanders it through wild living (Luke 15:13)
According to Luke 15:13, the younger son travels to a distant country and squanders his inheritance through wild living. This reckless behavior leads to his downfall.
3. A — He feeds pigs (Luke 15:15)
Luke 15:15 says the younger son hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into the fields to feed pigs.
4. C — Return to his father and confess that he has sinned (Luke 15:17-19)
In Luke 15:17–19, the son comes to his senses and decides to go back home and ask his father for forgiveness, admitting he has sinned. This represents the moment of repentance in the parable.
5. B — He runs toward his son with compassion and embraces him (Luke 15:20)
Luke 15:17-19 says the younger son comes to his senses and decides to return to his father, confess that he has sinned, and ask to be treated like one of his father's hired servants.
6. D — A great feast with a fattened calf (Luke 15:22-23)
In Luke 15:22–23, the father orders his servants to bring the best robe, a ring, and sandals for his son, and to prepare a fattened calf for a celebration. This feast represents joyful reconciliation.
7. C — He is angry and refuses to go into the celebration (Luke 15:28)
Luke 15:28 reveals that the older son becomes angry and refuses to join the celebration, believing his father is being unfair after his years of faithfulness. His reaction shows self-righteousness and lack of understanding about forgiveness.
8. B — God forgives and welcomes back those who repent, no matter how far they have strayed (Luke 15:11-32)
The parable illustrates God's infinite mercy and forgiveness for sinners who repent and return to Him, emphasizing that no one is beyond redemption. The father's unconditional welcome of his wayward son reflects God's love for all His children.
🏠 The Prodigal Son — ask me on the way home!
1. What did the younger son ask his father for?
2. What job was he doing when he decided to go home?
3. What three things did the father tell the servants to bring for his son?
Parents: Ask your child: who in the story do you think felt happiest at the end — and why?
Play the quiz together (free, no account): faithblitz.com/quiz/the-prodigal-son-quiz-kids?ref=takehome
🏠 The Prodigal Son — ask me on the way home!
1. What did the younger son ask his father for?
2. What job was he doing when he decided to go home?
3. What three things did the father tell the servants to bring for his son?
Parents: Ask your child: who in the story do you think felt happiest at the end — and why?
Play the quiz together (free, no account): faithblitz.com/quiz/the-prodigal-son-quiz-kids?ref=takehome
🏠 The Prodigal Son — ask me on the way home!
1. What did the younger son ask his father for?
2. What job was he doing when he decided to go home?
3. What three things did the father tell the servants to bring for his son?
Parents: Ask your child: who in the story do you think felt happiest at the end — and why?
Play the quiz together (free, no account): faithblitz.com/quiz/the-prodigal-son-quiz-kids?ref=takehome
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”
— Psalm 23:1 (NIV)