Curated children’s ministry resources and sermons (object lessons) for Sunday Readings from SermonWriter, Ministry-to-Children, Religion Teacher and other sources.
YOUNG CATHOLICS – The first reading tells of how the Israelites celebrated Passover on the plains of Jericho. In the second reading Paul tells us to be reconciled to God. And in the gospel,Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, which is sometimes called the parable of the forgiving father.
THEMES:
The Gospel reading for Sunday is one of the most familiar stories in the Bible. Read with your family the story of the return of the prodigal son, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. After the reading, list the steps of reconciliation identified in the story.The Prodigal Son story is one of the most popular parables in the gospels. The story line is simple. A son leaves home to find fame and fortune, only to discover a life of pain away from the ones he loved. He returns humbler and wiser, expecting to be treated like a servant. But he finds he is still the son of a father that loves him.
This narrative is perfect for story telling. Tell the story from memory and feel free to embellish. Or, role play the narrative. If you’re really creative, turn different rooms in your house into the various scenes of the narrative (the father’s farm, the party town, the pig farm, etc.) Decorate each room accordingly and lead your family through the rooms as ths story unfolds.
No matter how you share the story use it as a means to communicate the parable’s moral. Turn back to God and he will accept you as his very own child. Your family could even receive the sacrament of reconciliation as a response to the parable.
Scripture Reference: Luke 15:11-32
Suggested Emphasis: God is happy when we say we are sorry and come back to him.
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WATCH VIDEO
Welcome Home Sign Craft
Download 14 Page Activity Packet (PDF)
Free Sunday School Curriculum – New Testament Lessons | Old Testament Lessons
The story of the prodigal son provides us with a comforting reminder that God loves us and forgives us, no matter what we do. Even when we make mistakes, He is faithful and loves us as His dear children. These crafts serve to recount and act out the story for children. A “pig in the mud” is a fun and creative illustration of the son’s hopeless despair and moment of return to his senses (plus, it’s just fun to craft pigs!). A double-sided puppet helps to tell the parable and engage with it, considering how the son was before and after leaving– and returning– home.
Text: Luke 5:1-3, 11b-32
Dollar Store Item: Newspaper, Rubber Cement, Cornstarch and Scissors
Take Away: God restores our relationship because of God’s love.
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
SOURCE: SUNDAY CONNECTION (LOYOLA PRESS) – All Rights Reserved
Catechist Background and Preparation
Primary Session
Intermediate Session
Junior High School
Conversion
SOURCE: LECTIONARY RESOURCES (RCL Benzinger) – All Rights Reserved
Objects suggested: Boomerang, if available.
EXCERPT: Boomerangs are fun and require skill in learning how to throw them correctly. People compete in contests to see how far a boomerang can be thrown, how long it stays in the air, and how close it comes back to where it started. There is even a World Championship competition.
The outstanding thing about a boomerang is that it comes back.
Jesus teaches us about this idea of coming back. He tells a story about a man who had two sons and divided his property between them. The younger son took what his father had given him and traveled to a distant country where he wasted everything he had. He didn’t even have enough money left to buy food and he became very hungry.
Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Click on title to read entire sermon.
Objects suggested: “Lost Dog” flyer.
EXCERPT: As I walk through our neighborhood, I often see signs like this one. (Hold up the flyer advertising a lost dog.) “Lost Dog. Our little dog, Rascal, has been missing since March 1st. We love Rascal very much and we want him back. If you find Rascal, please call us at 772-5512. $25 Reward.”
When I see signs like this, I feel a touch of sadness. I can just imagine a family watching and hoping that their dog will come home. I can imagine the excitement they must feel every time the phone rings — hoping that the call will be from someone who has found their lost dog. I think of how they must worry and hope that their little dog is safe.
Have you ever lost something that was very precious to you? How did you feel? Have you ever found something that you had lost? If so, how did you feel when you found it? In our Bible lesson today, Jesus told a story about a man who lost something that was very precious to him. The story also told of the man’s joy when that which he had lost was found. This is the story that Jesus told.
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Objects A well-loved (worn) doll, teddy bear, or book. (Not essential to lesson.)
EXCERPT:
Jesus often told stories when he wanted to teach a lesson. This is a difficult story to understand, but let’s try. There was a man who had two sons. The younger son asked his father to give him the property that would belong to him later (his inheritance) so the father divided his property between the two sons.
The youngest son gathered everything that he had been given, traveled to a distant land where he was careless and spent all that he had on foolish things. Then hard times came and this son did not have enough money left to buy food.
He went back home to his father and apologized for being careless and self-centered. His father was so glad to see him that he brought out a robe and sandals to dress him well and also prepared a feast to celebrate his return.
Objects suggested: Print out the picture at end of this .pdf or use fake money from Monopoly
Lesson is divided into FOUR PARTS: Ask, Tell, Share the Good News, and Closing Prayer
Objects: Pictures of a snake shedding its skin
EXCERPT: Some of you may not like the idea of snakes, but let’s see if we can learn something from their behavior. Did you know that a snake sheds its skin? Some of you may have actually seen an old skin that a snake has left behind. It is usually all in one piece, in the shape of a snake, and looks dried out.
Snakes shed their skin because they need more room to grow and they may do this once a year or several times a year. It is similar to when you outgrow your clothes and need to get larger ones that fit better.
The snake starts a rip in its skin by rubbing against something rough and then it slips out of its skin in the way you pull off your stockings. Beneath the old skin is a beautiful new skin that will allow the snake to grow.
Sermon Writer: Children’s Sermons – All Rights Reserved | © 1997-2020 Richard Niell Donovan; Click on title to read entire sermon.
FIRST READING
SECOND READING
GOSPEL
SOURCE: Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University; “Build. Plant. Grow.” = a free faith formation resource which aligns with the Liturgical Year of the Roman Catholic Church. The accompanying video is NOT associated with Markkula Center.
SOURCE: Worshiping with Children: A blog by Carolyn C. Brown, a Certified Christian Educator in the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA).
Mister Bud and Zorro are two dogs that live in the same house and are good buddies, for the most part. In this adventure, Mister Bud has to wear the dreaded cone to keep him from scratching a hot spot on his back. The cone blocks his view and makes it difficult for him to do anything. Zorro, a precocious little pug, decides that this is the perfect opportunity to test Mister Bud’s patience, and proceeds to try to get Mister Bud in all kinds of trouble. However, Mister Bud is merciful and loving even with all the things that Zorro does, showing how, even though relationships are not without problems, there is always room for mercy.
BIBLE BEDTIME CHILDREN (5:55) – THE STORY OF THE PRODIGAL SON by Phil A Smouse: Part of a series of Bible Rhyming Fun for Kids from the Author.
Opening Question: How many of you have gone on a long vacation? Where did you go? What did you see?
In the story for the first reading, James celebrated a meal that marked a new adventure, just like the Israelites held when they entered the Promised Land.
Bridging Question: Have you ever visited a neighborhood where you used to live? How had it changed? How was it the same?
In the story for the gospel, Jodi moved to a new home in a new community, only to find she missed her friends, her school and her place in the world. Imagine how she felt when she moved back to her old house. The Prodigal Son must have felt the same way, joyful, accepted, loved.
Closing Question: How do you feel when you pray to God? How do you feel to return home to God in the sacrament of reconciliation?
WORLD VIDEO BIBLE (3:24) – The story of the prodigal son is one of the most insightful, memorable stories that Jesus told while He was on Earth. Through it, Christ brought to light the ravages of sin, the value of true repentance, and the love of the heavenly Father. By putting that story into rhyming verse on a child’s level, A Son Who Ran Away offers an easy-to-understand resource for teaching children the meaning and importance of the prodigal son.
SUPERBOOK (26:51) – Official Full Episode. Watch more free episodes in the Superbook App (https://bit.ly/prodigal-app) or Website (https://bit.ly/prodigal-site).
The Jerusalem Bible is used for Mass in majority of English-speaking world outside U.S./ Canada.
The New Revised Common Lectionary (Catholic Edition) is used in Canada.
These links are provided for other faiths who do NOT use the Catholic lectionary, but rather use the Revised Common Lectionary.
Lessons are prepared by Kristin Schmidt, who serves at the Epiphany Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO.
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