Theme: When the Father runs

Sunday 28th September 2025

Aim: To discover that God loves us, no matter how far we wonder from him.

Bible passage: Luke 15:11–32

This is one of the most famous stories that Jesus told, so it’s possible that the children have heard it already. But that’s OK! Every time we return to a story, God can reveal something new to use – a new aspect of who he is or something different about our relationship with him.

This week, we’re focusing on how much God loves us. Whatever we go, whatever we do, there is nowhere and nothing that we separate us from the love of God. The son shames his father, wastes his money and ends up physically and spiritually far from home. And yet, the father accepts him back with open arms, no questions asked.

As children grow, one of the most important things we can teach them is that they are loved by God. No matter what they do, they are still loved. Even when they get lost, God will run after them.

As you explore this story, try to avoid using the word ‘prodigal’ (despite is being used on the video!). The children won’t understand it and, as it means ‘wasteful’. it puts a different slant on the story, one that we won’t be exploring here.

Sunday Kids Work Video

Storytelling Video

Things You May Need

  • A5 Paper

  • Pens/Pencils

  • Tissue Paper

  • Glue

  • Scissors

  • Dried Beans/Pebbles

  • Notebook/Scrapbook - For Prayer Book

Questions & Thoughts

Share out some refreshments and enjoy eating and drinking together. Start to talk about the Bible story using these questions:

• Which is your favourite part of the story? Why?

• What is important about this story? Why?

• If you were the younger son, what would you say to your dad when you go home?

• If you were the dad, what would you say to your son when he comes home?

• If you were the older son, what would you say to your dad?

• Who are you most like? The dad, the older son or the younger son? Why?

• How did the father show love to the younger son? And to the older son?

• How does God show his love to you?

• What does this story tell you about God? 

Chat & create

Help cut a heart shape from the centre of a piece of paper. It should be large but not reach the edge of the paper – the ‘frame’ has to be substantial enough not to tear. Then write ‘God loves me’ on the paper frame, or something else that you want to remember from the story.

Stick pieces of tissue paper to the frame to cover the heart-shaped hole. You can stick strips across from one side of the frame to the other. You can stick one smaller piece of tissue paper to another and so on, creating a mosaic effect.

When you have finished, demonstrate how to stick the heart to the window so that the light shines through. As you will all have used different colours and techniques, you can comment how different we all are, yet God loves us all!

As you work, carry on chatting about the story, using the questions above or by simply asking the children to tell you what they think.

Stick them on their own windows.

Worship

These are the worship songs being played in our kids groups this morning, if you wish to listen to the same

Under 5s

  • I trust in Him

  • Jesus I Love you

  • Jesus is alive freeze dance

Over 5s

  • To be like You

  • Through you I can do anything

Encounter

In the story, the younger son realised he had done things wrong and decided to say sorry to his dad. Even though God loves us no matter what (you could quote John 3:16–17 here), we still need to say sorry to him for the wrong things we have done and thought, and the way that we have tried to live without him.

Take a few dried beans / pebbles and use them to think of anything you want to say sorry to God for, perhaps one thing per bean. Take a moment of silence to think about this and to chat with God about what you want to say sorry to him for.

Remind yourselves that the father hugged his son and welcomed him back. Say a prayer to thank God for forgiving us, and thanking God for loving us so much.

Finally, get out your prayer scrapbook. Look at the prayers already in the book and ask the children if and how God has answered their prayers, or if you are only just starting this - add some prayers to your scrapbook: write or draw a prayer. and stick the prayers into the scrapbook.

Growing faith at home

This week, we discovered that God loves us, no matter what we do or how far we wander from him. We explored the story of the lost son (Luke 15:11–32)

For All Children

For all children

• Read or listen to the story together. You can use the video retelling the children watched in the session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJgROx4wFKM or read it in the Bible or a Bible storybook.

• Explore the story by using these craft ideas: https://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/search/label/prodigal%20son Don’t forget to talk around the story as well as do the craft!

• When you are out and about this week, driving to the shops or walking to school, take it in turns to think of different ways in which God loves you. You might say ‘God loves me by providing the food that we eat’ or ‘God loves me by being there when I feel sad’. How many ways can you think of?!

• If you started a prayer scrapbook, then add new prayers to it this week and look back to see how God has answered your prayers and how much he loves you.

Other resources