Returning Home: A Journey of Grace Through the Parable of the Prodigal SonSample

1. Have you ever made a choice that seemed fun at first, but then things went terribly wrong? What happened?
2. PARENTS: Share a story of when you messed up as a kid. Maybe it was the time you broke something in the house. Or maybe when you wrecked your car. How did your parents respond? How do you wish they would have responded?
3. READ ALOUD: When the younger brother went off from his family, he thought he had everything he needed to be successful. He had all the money he thought he wanted, but he left things—and people—that are much more important than money. When things got hard, the friends he thought he had quickly left him and he realized, “Uh oh. I’m in trouble.” He had to work some really hard jobs, like feeding pigs, in order to survive.
4. How do you think the younger son felt when he had no money or food?
5. Who are some of the people you can turn to for help when you make a mistake or when things get hard?

Pray This Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us no matter what. Thank You that even when we feel lonely, we know that we are never alone. And when things get really difficult, please remind us that You will always be there for us. Amen.