CHILDREN STS LESSON 12 THE PRODIGAL SON
TEXT: Luke 15:1-32
Jesus told the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son to show and teach how important and precious the soul of every boy and girl is to God. In His love and mercy, God does not want any to be lost or perish in hell. Because of P this, Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for the sins of every human being.
In our Bible passage, Jesus explains how a man showed his love to a lost sheep. He left all other things and risked his life to find it. What a love! A woman also spent energy and time to look for a coin that was lost. Jesus’ love is greater, higher and richer for you in particular. You are unique and special to God.
No matter how bad you are, have wasted your life by joining gangs, cults, using your God- given talents and skills in devilish ways that will ruin your life and make you worthless, useless and unprofitable, God still loves you. Now, the Holy Spirit speaks to you to retrace your steps, think good about yourself and come to Jesus. He will receive, forgive, give you a brand-new life, clothe you with His beautiful garment of righteousness and adorn you with His glory. Daddy. mummy and other people including your spiritual parents in the church will celebrate you. Be wise and accept Jesus’ love for you now.
- DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODIGAL SON: Luke 15:8-14; John 10:10
Prodigal means to be recklessly wasteful, too willing to spend money, waste time, energy or materials. Jesus told the story of a wealthy rich man who had two sons. One day, the younger one asked their father to give him his own share or part of his inheritance. father divides his Normally, a properties (inheritance) among his children in a will before he dies and it is sealed up; no one knows what is written in it and is kept secret. After his death and burial, the will is opened, read out and the properties are then shared out accordingly. The prodigal son’s father granted him his request. He then packed his belongings and left home leaving his father sorrowful. Do you wonder what might have influenced him to take such a decision, which was foolish and selfish? It may be bad friends, watching films and movies of worldly activities, parties, evil desires, sinful character, covetousness, greed, feeling of being mature enough to manage his life and be independent or the deceit of Satan. In the far country, nobody could monitor or check his excesses. There, in the far country, the prodigal son wasted all he had in a merry-making and pleasure. Everything got finished and all his sinning friends abandoned him. He was left alone to suffer without money, food or accommodation. He then had to go and care for pigs; though he desired to eat of their food, but nobody gave him. What a sad, sorrowful, pitiable and a terrible life! Do not be a prodigal child.
- DANGER OF FOLLOWING THE D PRODIGAL WAY: Luke 15:12-16; Proverbs 16:25
The younger son disregarded his 3 father’s love and care, and decided to go his own way and live as it pleased him. It was a foolish decision. A far country is a dangerous place where one is lonely, not under the control, guidance or fa supervision of parents, a target of wicked people, without wise counsel or Is counsellor, no one to confide in or trust.
Learn from Lot; he was the nephew of righteous Abraham. He was attracted by the physical beauty of Sodom and con Gomorrah and went to live there. At the ser end, he lost everything. Any child who He loves the world more than Jesus will rig lose God’s protection, privilege and his provisions. Do not be like this younger son, God has a wonderful plan for your not life (Jeremiah 29:11).
Do not be in a hurry and run ahead his of Him. He will work out everything for you for His glory. Stay under the control of your godly parents and the teachings him of your pastors, be grounded in love was and faith and be able to stand as bad conquerors in time of negative of challenges. Do not be carried away with the music, dressing, movies, games and entertainment in the world today. They will end in sorrow.
You can be trained and developed to have a fruitful profitable and abundant his life through God’s provision for you. the Life without parental care, supervision in and guidance opens you to evil attacks, temptations and bad influences. Be his wise. Jesus will give you His grace and was help you to use your resources and od talents to be an overcomer and go successful all the days of your life.
Your only hope is to trust and m. believe in Jesus your Saviour, Friend and Companion. Do not allow what you watch on internet, your phone or see in other people to influence you negatively. Wait for your own time; then your life will glorify Jesus.
- DECISION OF THE PRODIGAL SON. Luke 15:17-32; Isaiah 1:16-19; 1 John 1:6-9
The prodigal son, during the or famine, decided to work to feed and of keep swine (pigs). For the children of Israel, pigs were unclean animals and they were forbidden to eat them. This was humiliation to him. Nobody even gave him food to eat. What a pitiable condition. One day, he came to his e senses, and realised what he had done. He then decided to go and make his life right with his father. He repented, told I his father that he had sinned against heaven and before him and that he was not worthy to be called his son. He asked the father to make him as one of his servants.
His father, who had been waiting eagerly and anxiously for him, received him joyfully, accepted, forgave him, and restored all he had lost. Then he that res called all the people around to rejoice with him because his son who was dead (spiritually) is now alive again. There was a great celebration. This story illustrates God’s desire for all boys and girls. God’s love still reaches out to backsliders who have stopped loving Jesus. You have to be Jesus determined in your heart, shun any negative suggestion and be bold to take the steps of faith. Confess and repent of your sins. Be resolute to have a clean, pure life that is blameless and worthy to be emulated by other children. Live a transparent life that will challenge wayward and rebellious children to desire whatever it will cost them. So, rise up in faith and put Satan to shame. God will lavish you with His goodness and mercy, and you will live a radiant, shining and overcoming life to be celebrated on earth and in heaven. God loves you dearly. From being a prodigal son, you will become a promising, progressing, precious, perfect and prosperous son to the glory of God.
QUESTIONS:
- What does the story of Jesus about the lost son teach us?
- Prodigal means_____________________________________________________________________________________
- Mention the steps the prodigal son took to retrace his steps back to his father.
- Narrate how his father received him.
- What should a sinful or backslidden child do to be saved?
MEMORY VERSE: “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).
LESSON: Every sinful child who genuinely and sincerely repents of his sins receives God’s forgiveness and mercy.
THOUGHT: I surrender my life to Jesus.
ACTIVITY: All friends of Jesus are to pray for the restoration of backsliders.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 124 “CHRIST RECEIVETH SINFUL MEN”
CHORUSES:
(1) I will never let the devil n. win the battle.
(2) I wandered far away.
3) I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.
HOMEWORK: Pray for and visit a child n. who has stopped coming to fellowship. Share the gospel message with him or her.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words. You can use your dictionary.
- Parable 2. Ruin 3. Unprofitable 4. Inheritance 5. Disregard
