Text: Luke 15:11-32 (NLT)
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
Here are ten key learning points from the Parable of the Prodigal Son in the Bible, especially for children and teenagers (Luke 15:11-32):
•It’s never too late to come back home: Just like the son who made mistakes but returned to his loving father, we can always turn back to God, no matter what we’ve done.
•God loves us no matter what we do: The story shows that God’s love is unconditional. Even when we mess up, He still cares for us and welcomes us back.
•Families are important: The father’s joy at his son’s return reminds us of the importance of family relationships and forgiveness.
•Repentance matters: The younger son realized his mistakes and decided to change. We should also be willing to admit when we’re wrong and seek forgiveness first and foremost from God and also man.
•Forgiveness is powerful: The father forgave his son completely. We learn that forgiving others is essential, just as God forgives us.
•Humility: The son humbled himself, willing to work as a servant. Pride can lead us away from God, but humility brings us closer to Him. Remember scriptures teaches that it is the humble that God lifts
•Celebration of redemption: When the son returned, there was a big celebration. God rejoices when we turn back to Him.
•Material possessions don’t define us: The younger son wasted his inheritance. Our true worth lies in our relationship with God, not in what we own. Remember you are valuable to God because of His great and eternal love for you.
•Compassion: The father’s compassion teaches us to show kindness and understanding to others, especially those who’ve made mistakes.
•Hope and second chances: No matter how far we’ve strayed, God offers hope and a fresh start. We can always find our way back to Him. If you truly repent and focus on Him, He will turn all your mistakes into miracles and all your errors into stepping stones for greater heights
Remember, God’s love is always there for you
