The Father Who Waited
A Bible story for kids ages 3–8. Read it together, do the actions and talk at the end.
Jesus told another story: a father had two sons.
The younger son asked his father for his share of the family's things. And the father gave it to him.
He packed everything up and went off to a faraway country. There, he wasted it all!
👉 Toss pretend coins up in the air: bye-bye, money!
Then a big famine came to that country. He had nothing left and went to take care of pigs. Oink, oink!
👉 Make the piggies' sound: oink, oink!
With his tummy rumbling, he thought: at my father's house there's plenty of bread! I'll go back and ask for forgiveness.
👉 Put your finger on your head, like someone with an idea!
He was still far away, but his father saw him. The father ran, hugged and kissed his son!
👉 Open your arms wide and give a big, tight hug!
The son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” To sin is to do what is wrong.
But the father had them bring the best robe, a ring and sandals. And they threw a party with music and dancing!
👉 Dance and clap your hands, it's a party!
The older brother got angry and didn't want to go in. The father came out and said, “Son, you are always with me”
God is like this father: He always waits for us with open arms!
👉 Open your arms really, really wide!
Verse: “He was lost and is found!” (Luke 15:24)
To talk about with your child
- How do you think the son felt with that hug?
- Isn't it good to have someone who forgives us?
Mission of the week: When someone says sorry, forgive them and give them a hug, like the father in the story.