The Parable of the Prodigal Son ~ Links (and a couple of freebies)

The Parable of the Prodigal Son ~ FREE colouring pages, puzzles, crafts and creative ideas for kids. This is the story that the Lord Jesus told of not one, but two lost sons. Both were greatly beloved of the father. Both needed to come home. This is for all of us. No matter where we have been or what we have done… the Lord Jesus is calling all of us… and it’s time to come home.

THINK SPOT

The Forgiving Father (Dr Charles Stanley) This parable is about a son who asked his father for his share of the estate, left home, and wasted his inheritance. But perhaps the most amazing character in this story is the forgiving father. Jesus was teaching that no one has sinned to such a degree that it’s impossible to turn back to God in repentance and receive forgiveness.

The Steps of the Prodigal Son Away From His Father

Dissatisfaction. This young man had everything he needed at home, yet he yearned for more.
Desire. He wanted to enjoy things he’d never experienced, thinking that satisfaction would come if he could indulge his cravings.
Deception. He was deceived and believed he was missing something in life.
Decision. He chose to leave home and its restrictions in order to enjoy the life he imagined awaited him.
Departure. He took his fortune and left.
Delight. With plenty of money at his disposal, he enjoyed himself with new worldly pleasures. He tasted sin and believed these new experiences were the fulfillment of all his dreams.
Disillusionment. Sin only satisfies for a season. What he had thought would give him pleasure began to leave him empty. Although sin may be enjoyable at first, the wages always result in death (Rom. 6:23). With a sinful lifestyle, there is the death of happiness, peace, and security.
Despair. After the money was all spent and a famine came, the Prodigal Son ended up in a hog pen feeding pigs while he himself remained hungry. He’d begun life at home with everything he needed, and now he didn’t even have enough to eat. His expectations of a great life had ended, and he’d lost everything. With God’s grace, he came to his senses and in repentance and humility headed home to his father.

The Steps of the Father to His Son

Wounded heart. The prodigal’s father was hurt by his son’s desire to have his inheritance early and leave home.
Wondered about him continually.
Waited patiently… this father longed to see his son.
Watched for him. His son was never far from this father’s thoughts.
Wanted his son to return soon.
Welcomed him home. Eventually the day came when the father saw his son on the road while he was still a long way off. He felt compassion and ran to meet him. Instead of greeting him with reproofs, he repeatedly embraced and kissed his son despite his filthy condition. The young man barely managed to get out his confession of sin and of unworthiness to be called his son before his father called the servants to bring out the best robe, a ring, and sandals to clothe him. Then he told them to kill the fattened calf and prepare a feast to celebrate his son’s return.

What God Offers Repentant Prodigals

Forgiveness. On the basis of Christ’s death and our faith in Him, we can receive forgiveness. If we’ll confess our sins, God will be faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Acceptance. The Lord accepts us not on the basis of our good works but because of Christ’s death on the cross, which paid our sin debt in full. Each one who believes in Him becomes a child of God who is welcomed into His household.
Restoration. We are given eternal life, and God restores our dignity, attitudes, and thinking.
Rejoicing. Not only do we rejoice but so do our family and friends who have been waiting for us to come home to the Father. But the greatest celebration of all is in heaven whenever a sinner repents (v. 10).

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON ~ BIBLE VERSES

Luke 15:1-5; 10-32 Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing… Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents. And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON ~ INFORMATION ~ FREE PRINTABLE

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The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Chuck Smith; scroll down) The Lord said that there is joy in heaven over just one sinner who repents… Though it may teach many things, the parable was intended against the Pharisees… In each of the parables, there is something lost that is found and the result of finding that which was lost was rejoicing, happiness. Jesus receives sinners… [but] the Pharisees are angry. They are condemning… So the story was given. In the third story, Jesus adds the older brother and his attitude towards the rejoicing, because the father receives sinners. And here he is out there sulking, angry and upset… May God help us that we will not have a pharasaical attitude towards the work of God in receiving sinners… Let us rejoice that He is receiving them.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Spurgeon) And he arose, and came to his father.”-Luke 15:20. This sentence expresses the true turning point in the prodigal’s life story… and had he never reached it he would have remained a prodigal, but would never have been the prodigal restored, and his life would have been a warning rather than an instruction… but he now proceeded from regret to repentance… What avails it for a man to say he repents of his misconduct if he still perseveres in it?… he was wise, for he shook off the drowsiness of his despondency, and, with resolute determination, “arose and came to his father.”

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Spurgeon) …the subject of which will be, the overflowing love of God toward the returning sinner… If you come a little way to Him, when you are “yet a great way off” He will run to meet you… The more willing thou art to own thy sin, the more willing is God to forgive thee. When thou dost make a clean breast of it, God will soon make a clear record of it. He will wipe out the sin that thou dost willingly acknowledge and humbly confess before Him…

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Matthew Henry) …the murmuring of the scribes and Pharisees at the grace of Christ… he had no pleasure in the death and ruin of sinners, but that he had great pleasure in their return and repentance… The grace of God can soften the hardest heart… True repentance is a rising, and coming to God… The confession of sin is required and insisted upon, as a necessary condition of peace and pardon. If we plead not guilty, we put ourselves upon a trial by the covenant of innocency, which will certainly condemn us. If guilty, with a contrite, penitent, and obedient heart, we refer ourselves to the covenant of grace, which offers forgiveness to those that confess their sins… not one word of rebuke… when God forgives the sins of true penitents, he forgets them, he remembers them no more… Now concerning the elder brother, observe… he boasted of himself and his own virtue and obedience… take heed of pride… Those that have long served God, and been kept from gross sins, have a great deal to be humbly thankful for, but nothing proudly to boast of.

The Condition of the Heart (intouch.org – Prodigal Son, part 1) How did I get here? Wallowing in a pigsty with nothing to eat and no one to turn to, the Prodigal Son must’ve asked himself this question a thousand times. Dr Stanley traces the sad, downward spiral that sin leads us on when we believe satan’s lies and ignore God’s Word. But no matter how dark sin may make our lives, God is willing and able to forgive, just like the father in the parable. Simple repentance restores right relationship. No matter how dark sin may make our lives, God is willing and able to forgive us.

Absent From The Party (intouch – Prodigal Son, part 2) While the Prodigal Son partied in a distant land, his older brother toiled. But don’t be fooled–turns out you don’t have to leave home to rebel. Dr Stanley takes a closer look, examining the self-righteous attitude of his older brother. Though he has the appearance of a devoted son, in reality the older brother’s heart is full of entitlement, bitterness, and jealousy. Don’t let self-righteousness poison your relationship with God or His children. Find the cure that releases you to join the celebration.

The Forgiving Father (intouch – Prodigal Son, part 3) Two sons, two rebellions, two confrontations. This parable is about a son who asked his father for his share of the estate, left home, and wasted his inheritance. But perhaps the most amazing character in this story is the forgiving father. Jesus was teaching that no one has sinned to such a degree that it’s impossible to turn back to God in humble repentance and receive forgiveness. All of us have sinned and fallen away from God, but the path back home is always the same. And at the end is a Father, longing to embrace us.

The Downward Path to a Broken Life (intouch) Dissatisfied, disillusioned, despairing. Such was the state of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. How did he go from his father’s house to the pigs’ pen? That descent into misery is an all too familiar journey for many of us. However, there is a path that leads out of it. Jesus used the story of the prodigal son to show us the downward path into a broken life as well as the road to recovery. Although we may not find ourselves in the son’s exact situation, we can all identify with his choices and responses.

The Steps to a Broken Life (intouch) People don’t set out with the intention of ruining their lives, so how do we get from happiness to intense dissatisfaction with life? And what’s the way back to peace? The following eight words describe the progressive steps that lead to misery—Dissatisfaction; Desire; Deception; Decision; Delight; Disillusionment; Despair; and the key to getting out of it.

The Prodigal Son – devotional (Kyle Idleman) The prodigal son needed 3 things: Awakening (to come to his senses) – something happens to shock him awake; how loud does the alarm have to be; our eyes are now opened, but nothing will happen unless you also have Honesty (he is honest with himself about where he was and how he got there); Action (so he got up) – very important – if he came to his senses, even been honest about it, but did nothing, that would have been the end of the story. He would have gone back to feeding the pigs.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Vernon McGee) Luke alone records the most famous parable of all, the prodigal son. Actually, there are three parables in one:

The parable of the lost sheep — the work of God the Son in restoring a sinning son;
The parable of the lost coin — the work of God the Holy Spirit; and
The parable of the lost son — the work of the Father in restoring a sinning son.

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON ~ COLOURING PAGES FOR KIDS ~ FREE PRINTABLE

The Prodigal Son – colouring (abdaacts; scroll down) feeding the pigs; free printable

The Prodigal Son – colouring (ministry-to-children) 4 sequential scenes; free printable

The Prodigal Son returns home – colouring (freeBibleimages; click on number 6) the father runs to his hesitant son returning home; free printable

The Prodigal Son – colouring pages (Biblenfant; scroll down to ‘la parabole du fils prodigue’) 4 colouring pages telling the sequence of the story – the son leaves on a camel, party time, in with the pigs, home with the father; The Prodigal Son – colouring (scroll down to ‘le fils prodigue’) one colouring page with two scenes – with the pigs, returning home to the father; free printable

The Prodigal Son – colouring (funnycoloring) a collage of 3 scenes; The Prodigal feeds the pigs – colouring; The father waits – colouring; The Prodigal returns – colouring; free printable

The Prodigal Son – 4 colouring pages (Bible-printables) free printable

The Prodigal Son leaves home – colouring (Biblecartoons; scroll down to ‘Luke 15 – The prodigal lost son leaving home’) free printable

The Prodigal Returns – colouring (supercoloring); The Prodigal Returns – colouring; Return of the Prodigal – colouring; free printable

The Prodigal Son – colouring (ebibleteacher; scroll down) free printable

The Prodigal Son – colouring (Biblewonderland; scroll down to ‘the lost son comes home’) free printable

The Prodigal Son – colouring pages (truewaykids; scroll down) for younger children; free printable

The Prodigal Son – colouring (churchhousecollection) 2 cartoon scenes from the pig pen; free printable

The Prodigal Son – colouring (workinwithkids) the prodigal son looks at a pig and contemplates his future; free printable

The Prodigal Son – colouring pages (coloringhome); The Prodigal Son – colouring pages; free printable

The Prodigal Son returns home – colouring (sermons4kids) free printable

The Prodigal Son – colouring pages (duckduckgo)

The Prodigal Son – colouring (sundayschoolist); The Prodigal Returns – colouring; free printable

Jesus Teaches me to Forgive – colouring (sundayschoolzone) Be kind and forgive one another; free printable

Jazz up your colouring pages shrink or combine pages to make a new scene, add a border, a title, a Bible verse and some clip art to make your colouring pages more interesting with this easy tutorial

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON ~ PUZZLES FOR KIDS ~ FREE PRINTABLE

The Prodigal Son – puzzle (Biblewise) 4 scenes to colour and put in the correct order; The Prodigal Son – Bible verse traceover; The Prodigal Son – maze; The Prodigal Son – coded puzzle; Forgiveness – worksheet based on Luke 15; The Prodigal Son – worksheet put the 4 scenes in order then write about a personal story about when you forgave someone who hurt you; free printable

The Prodigal son – find the 10 differences (funnycoloring) free printable

The Prodigal Son – word search (Biblepuzzles) 41 words; free printable

The Parable of the Prodigal Son – puzzle booklet (calvarycurriculumoriginal; scroll down to number 210) circle the correct words, true/false, word search, crossword; also available in Spanish (scroll down to number 210); free printable

The Prodigal Son – activity sheet (churchhousecollection) how many words can you make out of the words ‘prodigal son’; The Prodigal Son – maze with colourful graphics featuring a bright pink pig covered in mud; free printable

The Prodigal Son – crossword (sermons4kids) 10 words from a word bank; The Prodigal Son – multiple choice 9 questions; The Prodigal Son – word search 20 words; The Prodigal Son – word shape 8 words from a word bank; The Prodigal Son – crossword 10 words; The Prodigal Son – maze; The Prodigal Son – dot to dot; a young man who had three wishes. He wanted a lot of money. He wanted to travel and see the world. He wanted to be his own boss; The Prodigal Son – word search 20 words; free printable

The Prodigal Son – puzzles (wordforlifesays; scroll down) word search, crossword, word scramble; free printable

The Prodigal Son – puzzle worksheets (truewaykids; scroll down) for younger children; free printable

The Prodigal Son – worksheet (ministry-to-children) parable worksheet about the prodigal son, the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the good Samaritan; free printable

The Prodigal Son – puzzles (dltk) anagram, crossword, cryptogram, word search, word mining; free printable

The Prodigal Son – word mat (communication4all; click on ‘available for… the prodigal son’) free printable

The Prodigal Son – worksheets (sundayschoolist) free printable

The Prodigal Son – mazes (duckduckgo)

The Prodigal Son – word searches (duckduckgo)

The Prodigal Son – puzzles (duckduckgo)

Pig – writing templates (museprintables); Pig Face – writing template; free printable

DIY puzzles Feeling creative? Create puzzles specifically tailored for your child… wherever your creativity leads you.

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON ~ CRAFTS / ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS ~ FREE PRINTABLE

The Prodigal Son – crafts (Biblefunforkids); The Prodigal son – crafts; The Prodigal Son – crafts; The Prodigal Son – piggy shape book; lots of cool ideas for kids; free printable

The Prodigal Son – door hanger (sundayschoolcrafts); The Prodigal Son – paper roll craft in colour or to colour; free printable

The Prodigal Son – mini booklet to make (blessingsoverflowing) using this sequential story colouring page; free printable

The Prodigal Son – lesson ideas for kids (wordforlifesays; scroll down) memory verse, games and activities; free printable

The Prodigal Son – crafts for kids (duckduckgo)

The Prodigal Son – forgiveness crafts (sundayschoolist); The Prodigal Son – pig crafts; The Prodigal Son – pig crafts; The Prodigal Son – crafts; The Prodigal Son – classroom decorations; The Prodigal Son – cool snacks; free printable

The Prodigal Son – board game (truewaykids; scroll down) for younger children; free printable

The Prodigal Son – lesson ideas for kids (sundayschoolsources) games and activities for kids

God the Father loves you this much – craft Trace around your hands on a sheet of paper so your child can cut them out and join them (e.g. with a strip of paper or string) – so when the hands are pulled apart, it says, God loves you this much. Very cute and so easy to make. Decorate if you wish with doodles or stickers or watercolour or… wherever your creativity leads you. Encourage them to make the joining strip long enough to wrap around them in a hug! A big paper hug from God to them.

Heart – finger puppets very simple and easy to make; it’s just a heart with a face and a couple of finger holes; extremely cute; kids will love these and your kids will love making them. Use them to enact the story of the prodigal son – perhaps cover one with mud for the returning son; use a different shape with a grumpy face and tattered edges for the older brother. Use card stock, decorate and you may like to laminate them for your own children/students; include a Bible verse about the love of our Heavenly Father on the back; draw a sheet of them for your sponsored child to cut out and make; free printable

Pig – paper bag puppet (dltk) cut and paste craft; free printable

The Prodigal Son – group activities (sermons4kids); Lost and Found – group activities; The Prodigal Son – group activities

The Prodigal Son – crafts and activities (childrenschurch)

The Prodigal Son – crafts for kids (daniellesplace) cool ideas; for purchase

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON ~ PAPER GIFTS ~ FREE PRINTABLE

The Parable of the Prodigal Son – FREE Bible poster (Paper Gifts for Estefany) with Bible verses from Luke 15 – And when he came to himself… he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; free printable

The Prodigal Son – posters (freeBibleimages) from a movie scene; The Prodigal Son – posters illustrations; The Prodigal Son – posters cartoon style; free printable

The Prodigal Son – Bible posters (sweetpublishing) free printable

The Prodigal Son – Bible posters (ebibleteacher) free printable

The Prodigal Son – bookmark to colour (churchhousecollection) free printable

The Prodigal Son – trading cards (sundayschoolsources; scroll down to number 35) free printable

The Lost Son comes Home – booklet (lambsongs; scroll down to pdf – ‘booklet’ and ‘cover’) in colour or to colour; free printable

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON ~ MORE CREATIVE IDEAS FOR KIDS

Found a suitable image that your child will love? Maybe a father hugging their child? Add a favourite Bible verse and make your own:

Bible poster or verse card
Bible bookmark ~ add your child’s name
Bible note cards / Bible notepaper ~ use the same tutorial, but just space out your initial four rectangles.
Bible wallet cards
Bible stickers
Stationery
Bible board game
Jazz up your envelopes if you are including any special treats like stickers for your homeschool students. Stickers sheets are fine for your sponsored child.

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON ~ STATIONERY ~ FREE PRINTABLE

The Parable of the Prodigal Son – FREE stationery (Paper Gifts for Estefany) with Bible verses from Luke 15 – And when he came to himself… he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him; dusky pink and black; free printable

Prodigal Son – lined writing paper (churchhousecollection) with colourful graphic featuring a bright pink pig covered in mud; free printable

PRAYER

Lord, please soften our hearts towards You. And please soften the hearts of our precious children. Help us to come home to You with all of our dirt, all of our pain. We ask for Your forgiveness, and Your help to turn away from everything that separates us from You, so that we will bring much glory to Your name. Amen.

RELATED LINKS

The Parable of the Sower

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

FREE Bible software simply hover your mouse over a word to find out what it means in the original Hebrew and Greek.

Bible Study ~ Links

And when you write to your sponsored child, don’t forget to tell them about this great love of our Heavenly Father that He has for them…

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