Objective: To teach moral of the story ‘The Prodigal Son’ to your child.
Explanations:
Before beginning these lesson plans for the Prodigal Son, read the story with your child. Use books on 'The Prodigal Son' with big picture illustrations to read the story. Give him the idea of inheritance and the demands that the younger son has made. Make him aware of the value of money and how he has lost all the money spending extravagantly. Once you are under somebody’s care you can have a tension free life. But this son has renounced his relationship, money and all the comforts he has enjoyed for seeking pleasures outside. Talk with the child the importance of repentance and explain the way the lost son has returned home. By telling him about the warm welcome which he has received you can give him the assurance that even if he makes mistakes, have the courage to reveal it. Introduce him the elder son who was jealous because of the greetings that his younger brother has achieved. Now the child might have got a vivid knowledge about the parable.
The Messages.
Give him the following messages.
1. God loves all.
2. God is like a caring father, always waiting for his children.
3. We should never be timid on asking forgiveness.
4. God hates sin but He loves sinners.
5. Don’t hate sinners, but help them to find the right path.
6. Don’t be jealous.
Activity
Collect coloring books which contain pictures of the parable of ‘The Lost Son’, for your child to do the coloring.
The image above shows the return of the younger son.
You can also tell the story of the St. Augustine as an example which illustrates the return of the lost son.The teachers or parents can present the story in the form of a drama. Record the dialogs and make the children to act accordingly. The teacher can re-enact the story using the puppets or they can present the story in the form of a skit.
A script for re-enacting the story of the Prodigal Son in the form of a drama is given below.
Characters: Narrator, Father, Elder son, Younger son and Servants.
Narrator: Once there lived a rich mean. He had two sons. One day the younger approached him and demanded his share.
Younger son: Father, I want to have the pleasures of the world. Please give me my share.
Father (sad): ok, have the half of the wealth.
Narrator: The younger son leaves the home and enjoys all the pleasures. Finally he becomes bankrupt. He has searched for a job and is given the job of feeding the pigs. He too lives with the food given to pigs. One day he thinks about his father and the servants in his home.
Younger son: How pathetic my condition is? Even the servants in my family have a better life. I would not have left the home. What will my father think of me? Will he receive me or abandon me? Anyway, it is better to go back to him and ask forgiveness. He is a very loving so he may accept me.
Narrator: The younger son leaves for his home.
The father is seen anxiously waiting for the return of his younger son. He sees him and runs to receive him. He embraces his younger son.
Younger son: Forgive me, my father. I was wrong in my decision to leave the home. I have lost everything.
Father: Don’t worry my son. I am here to love and care you. We all are waiting for you.
He orders the servants to start the celebration.
Narrator: Meanwhile the elder son returns from field and see the celebrations. He gets irritated.
Older son: I was serving you my father throughout my life. But, you haven’t done anything for my services. Now, you are celebrating the return of your prodigal son who has destroyed everything.
Father: Son, you are with me always. He was the lost one and now he is back seeking forgiveness. He has understood the gravity of his mistakes and we should celebrate the return, because he has shown repentance. dialogs
The show ends there.
Conclusion.
Using these lesson plans for the Prodigal Son will help the story to stay imprint in his mind and he will be able to feel the love and affection of the Eternal Father.
