The Prodigal Son: Preschool Sunday School Lesson (Ages 3-5)
Ages 3-5 · 30 minutes · free lesson plan · Luke 15:11-32
Preschoolers act out Jesus' story of the loving father who runs to welcome his son home. They learn that God forgives and welcomes us with joy, and make a welcome-home ring.
Memory verse
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:24, KJV)
Lesson objectives
- Children will hear the story of the father and his two sons in order.
- Children will learn that the father ran to welcome his son home, just as God loves us.
- Children will practice saying "I'm sorry" and receiving a loving welcome.
The full lesson plan
Welcome Home Wiggles (3 min)
Greet each child by name. Sit in a circle.
Say: "Today we have a story about a dad who loves his son very much."
Say: "Let's wiggle like we are walking a long, long way. Walk in place! Now stop. Let's wave to a friend."
Do this twice: walk in place, stop, wave.
Say: "Now let's sit and listen to Jesus' story."
Bible Story: Two Sons and a Father (6 min)
Hold up your Bible. Tell the story slowly with actions. Children copy the actions.
Say: "A father had two sons. The younger son asked for his share, and he went far away." (Walk fingers away.)
Say: "He spent all his money. Then there was no food, and he fed pigs. He was hungry." (Rub tummy.)
Say: "He decided, 'I will go back to my father.'" (Walk fingers back.)
Say: "While he was still far away, his father saw him! His father felt love and ran to him, hugged him and kissed him." (Run arms in place, then hug yourself.)
Say: "The father gave him a robe, a ring and shoes. They had a feast, because he was lost and is found!"
Say: "The older brother was angry. The father said, 'You are always with me.' It was right to be glad."
Read Luke 15:20 aloud from the Bible.
God Runs to Us (4 min)
Say: "Jesus told this story to show us God's love. God is like the father."
Say: "When we do wrong, we can say sorry to God. He loves us and forgives us."
Teach the memory verse with motions. Repeat each phrase twice.
- "He was lost" (hands over eyes, look around)
- "and is found!" (hands up, big smile)
- "They began to be merry!" (clap and sway)
Then say the full verse (Luke 15:24) once slowly. Children join in with the motions.
Say: "Now let's play the story!"
Game: Dad Runs to Meet You (5 min)
Setup: Clear a safe walking path about 15 feet long. Put the blanket on a chair at one end.
Steps:
1. Children stand at one end. You stand at the other as the "father."
2. Say: "Walk slowly, like the son coming home." Children walk with sad faces.
3. Open your arms wide. Say: "The father sees you!" Children walk or hop to you. No running.
4. Offer each child a choice: hug, high five or smile. Say: "Welcome home! You were lost and now you are found!"
5. Drape the blanket on each child like the robe. Play again, letting a helper be the father.
Safety: Walking only. Never force touch.
Craft: Welcome-Home Ring (5 min)
Setup: Give each child a paper strip, crayons and a heart. An adult pre-cuts all paper. Children use no scissors.
Steps:
1. Say: "The father gave his son a ring." Show a sample.
2. Children color the strip with patterns and hearts.
3. Help each child wrap the strip around their finger or wrist. An adult tapes it loose so it slides off.
4. Children color the heart and tape it on the ring if they like.
5. Say: "This reminds us that God welcomes us."
Safety: No small parts. Keep rings off mouths. Check for tape or crayon sensitivities.
Talk Time (3 min)
Sit close. Ask each question, wait, and accept simple answers.
1. What did the father do when he saw his son far away? (He ran and hugged him.)
2. How did the father feel about his son coming home? (Happy and loving.)
3. Who is like the father in the story? (God.)
4. What can we say to God when we do wrong? ("I'm sorry.")
Say: "God loves you and is always glad when you come to him."
Thank You Prayer and Goodbye (4 min)
Say: "Let's pray. Repeat after me, one line at a time."
- "Dear God, thank you for loving us."
- "Thank you for running to us with love."
- "Help us say sorry when we do wrong."
- "Thank you for forgiving us. Amen."
Say the memory verse with motions one more time.
Say: "This week, remember that God is glad when we come home to him."
Give each child a hug, high five or wave goodbye. Send the rings home.
Materials
- Bible
- Large blanket or adult robe
- Crayons
- Paper strips (about 2 x 8 inches), one per child
- Tape
- Paper hearts, pre-cut by an adult
Teacher notes
- Safety: the craft uses crayons, tape and paper. Pre-cut everything, check for allergies or sensitivities, and keep tape and paper from mouths.
- Adaptation: for children who are shy or have mobility needs, let them sit with a buddy and use a hand wave or smile instead of walking and hugging. Use pictures of the story for visual support.
- Keep the older brother brief with this age. The main idea is that the father loves and welcomes his son.
- Memory verse tip: if the full verse is long for some children, let them do the motions and say "lost" and "found" with you.
Send it home with parents
Today we heard Jesus' story of a father who ran to welcome his son home. We learned that God loves us, forgives us and is glad when we come to him.
- How did the father show love to his son?
- What can we say to God when we make a wrong choice?
Play "Welcome Home." Take turns being far away in the room. The other person opens their arms and says, "Welcome! I'm glad you're here!"
When your child says sorry this week, answer with a warm hug and say, "God forgives us, and so do I."
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