The Prodigal Son Preschool Sunday School Lesson (Free, Ages 3–6)
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “The father loved his son so much.”
Jesus told a story. A man had two sons. The older son worked in the fields. The younger son lived at home too.
One day the younger son said, “Father, give me my share of your property.” Property means everything you own. He wanted his part of the money now, not later. So the father gave it to him. The father loved his son so much.
Soon the younger son packed up everything. He went far away to another country. There he wasted all his money. Soon it was all gone.
Then a famine came. A famine is when there is not enough food in a land. The son was very hungry. He had nothing left.
He got a job feeding pigs. Oink, oink! Can you make a pig sound? He was so hungry, he wanted to eat the pigs’ food. The pigs ate pods, like hard beans. But no one gave him anything.
Then he began to think. He said, “How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!” That means: Even my father’s helpers have lots of bread. And I am so hungry! “I will get up and go to my father.” He would tell his father he had done wrong. He would ask to be one of his helpers.
So he got up and walked home. It was a long, long way. Can you walk with him? Step, step, step.
While he was still far off, his father saw him. Maybe the father had watched the road every day. His heart was full of love. He ran to his son! He hugged him and kissed him. Can you open your arms wide for a big hug? The father loved his son so much.
The son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” Sinned means did wrong. Worthy means good enough.
But the father called to his servants. “Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.”
A robe was for an honored guest. A ring showed he was part of the family. Sandals showed he was a son, not a servant.
“Let’s eat and celebrate. For this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.” And the party began, with music and dancing! Can you clap to the music? The father loved his son so much.
The older son came in from the field. He heard the music and dancing. A servant told him, “Your brother has come.” But the older son was angry and would not go in.
So the father came out to him. The older son said, “These many years I have served you. You never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.” A young goat was good food for a party.
The father said, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad. This, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.” Appropriate means right.
God is glad like that father when someone comes home to him. The father loved his son so much.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the father felt when he saw his son far away?
- What do you think the younger son thought on the long walk home?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 2 sons, the 1 ring, and the 2 sandals.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“He was lost and is found.” — Luke 15:24 (He was lost → cover your eyes and look around; and is found → open your eyes, smile, and give a big hug)
Dear God, thank you that you love me like the father in the story. Thank you that I can always come home to you. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God always welcomes us home
Memory verse: “It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.” — Luke 15:32 · WEB
The Bible story
A restless young son takes his money, wanders far from home, then discovers that his loving father is watching the road, longing to welcome him back with joy.
Talk about it
- How many sons did the father have in the story? — Two
- What did the younger son ask his father for? — His share of the property
- Where did the younger son go with his money? — To a faraway land
- What did the son do with his money? — He wasted it all
- What job did the son find when his money ran out? — Feeding pigs
- What did the son decide to do? — Go home to his father
Where is Jesus in this story?
Jesus told this story to people who grumbled that he welcomed sinners and ate with them (Luke 15:2). The older brother in the story refused to join the welcome party. But Jesus is a different kind of big brother. He left his Father's home and came all the way to us, so that we could come home to God and be called his family (Hebrews 2:11).
What God wants to tell us
This story shows us that God's love never gives up. Even when we make mistakes or wander far away, He is not waiting to scold us. He is watching the road, longing for us to come back. The moment we turn to Him and say sorry, He runs to meet us with open arms, forgives everything, and fills heaven with joy. You are always precious to God, and you can always come home.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for loving me even when I get things wrong. Thank You that You are always watching the road, ready to welcome me home. Help me to turn to You quickly when I make mistakes, and to remember I am Your precious child. Amen.
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