The Prodigal Son
A young man demands his inheritance, wastes it all, and returns home in shame—only to be welcomed back by his loving father with celebration.
Luke 15:11-32
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The Story
Jesus continued: 'There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the estate." So he divided his property between them.
Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants."
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate.'
The Son Who Came Home
Kids Version
Jesus told a story about a father with two sons.
The younger son said, 'Dad, I want my share of your money NOW!'
This was really rude—like saying he wished his dad was dead! But the father gave him the money.
The young man left home and went far away. He spent ALL his money on parties and silly stuff. Soon it was ALL GONE.
Then a terrible famine came. No food anywhere! The young man was SO hungry. The only job he could find was feeding pigs. He was so hungry he wanted to eat the pig food!
Finally, he thought, 'What am I DOING? My dad's servants have more food than me! I'll go home and say I'm sorry. Maybe Dad will let me be a servant.'
He started walking home, practicing his apology.
But while he was still FAR AWAY, his father SAW him coming! The father didn't wait. He RAN down the road! He hugged his son and kissed him!
'Father, I've sinned,' the son started to say. 'I don't deserve to be your son—'
But the father interrupted. 'Servants! Bring the best robe! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! Let's have a PARTY! My son was lost, but now he's FOUND!'
The father didn't care about the money. He just wanted his son back.
This is how God feels about YOU! No matter how far you've wandered or how badly you've messed up, God is waiting with open arms. When you come back to Him, He celebrates!
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Characters in This Story
Scripture — Luke 15:11-32 (KJV)
11And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Memory Verse
“And he said, A certain man had two sons:”
— Luke 15:11 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “The Prodigal Son” in the Bible?
A young man demands his inheritance, wastes it all, and returns home in shame—only to be welcomed back by his loving father with celebration. This story is found in Luke 15:11-32.
Where is “The Prodigal Son” found in the Bible?
“The Prodigal Son” is found in Luke 15:11-32, in the book of Luke.
What can children learn from “The Prodigal Son”?
This story teaches children about God's love, Repentance, Forgiveness, Grace. A son asked for his dad's money, then wasted it all on bad choices. When he came home, expecting to be a servant, his dad RAN to hug him and threw a party! That's how much God loves us!