Jesus the King · Lesson 10
The Lost Son
Luke 15:1-32 New Testament PrincipleLove
Jesus told a story about a son who ran away and wasted everything, and a father who ran to welcome him home, showing how much God loves lost people.
God loves us like the father in the story. He runs to welcome us home, not because we earned it but because we're His.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!”
Luke 15:24 BSB
Christ Connection · God’s love
The religious leaders grumbled, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them" (Luke 15:2). Jesus answered with this story. He is the one who welcomes sinners. He shows us the Father's heart, and through His death and resurrection He brings the lost home as sons and daughters.
Luke 15:1-2; Romans 5:8; 1 John 3:1
The Big Story · Redemption
Since the Fall, people have wandered from God. God the Father doesn't wait for us to clean ourselves up; through Jesus He runs to meet us and brings us home as His children.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Robe, ring and sandals
- Dasch’s Dig Site (bible-times history): Lost and found
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Run home
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God loves me and welcomes me home.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Lost and found, Color the big hug
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Jesus told a story about a son who ran away and a father who ran to welcome him home. God loves us and welcomes us as His children.
Memory verse
“He was lost and is found!”
Adapted from Luke 15:24
Start here
Ask, "If you ran away and spent all of your family's money, how would you feel coming home?" Let kids answer. Say, "Today a son comes home scared. Watch what his father does!"
Bible story 6 min
Some people were mad that Jesus ate with sinners. So Jesus told a story.
A father had two sons. The younger son said, "Give me my part of your money now!" That was very rude. But the father gave it.
The son went far away. He spent all the money on silly things. Then there was no food in the land. He got a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry, he wanted the pig food!
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Run to the father 8 min
You’ll need: A robe or bathrobe, A toy ring, A sandal
- One child is the "father" at the front. Another starts far away as the son.
- The son walks slowly home. When the father says "I see you!", the father runs to hug them and gives them the robe, ring and sandal.
- Let several kids take turns.
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
In the story of the lost son, Jesus shows that God loves lost people and runs to welcome them home, and that both sons, the runaway and the rule-keeper, needed the father's love.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Three lost things, Welcome home cards
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
Jesus' parable of the lost son reveals a Father who runs to the lost and goes out to the self-righteous, showing that both rebels and rule-keepers need His love, and that sonship is a gift, not a wage.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Sons, not servants, Which son am I?
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, at school, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in