Adding onto my character series, I am focusing on teaching kids about forgiveness through this parable of the lost son craft. The “Parable of the Lost Son” is also called the “Parable of the Prodigal Son,” and it was taught by Jesus when he walked on this earth.
The story I paraphrased at times and read directly at times. I want to make the story accessible to kids, so I find that I like to explain things as I go along and simply some of the terminology.
I like to have my Bible sitting open as I tell the story to the kids so they really can see the source. The story can be found in Luke 15:11-32. You can also read the story from the Jesus Storybook Bible.
The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His NameThe Beginner’s Bible: Timeless Children’s StoriesElmer’s Glue Stick (E4062) (7 sticks)Variety Value Pack1 box/lot (approx.1120 pcs) 0.19 inches (5mm) to 1 inch (25mm) round oval Plastic self-adhesive black googly wiggle eyes Wide Variety Assorted Sizes
It is about a son who has decided he didn’t want to wait for his father to die before he received his inheritance, so he asked for it early. His father gave it to him, and he went off and spent it all on “wild living.”
Soon, he had nothing and dreamed of eating the slop that pigs were being fed. He figured out that his father’s servants had more than him, so he returned to his father with the plea, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Make me like one of your servants.”
First of all, the father was waiting in anticipation and ran out with wide arms to greet him. Rather than condemn the son when he returned, the father threw a celebration for the son. He eagerly and quickly forgave and embraced his son completely.
He loved his son dearly, and wanted nothing more to be in a right relationship with him again.
This is exactly how our Heavenly Father feels about us. He created you. He loves you. He is eagerly waiting for you to turn to Him for grace and forgiveness.
He wants to move forward in a restored relationship with you. I want my kids to understand this beyond anything else.
There is NOTHING that can separate us from the love of God. We may feel like our sins our insurmountable, but Jesus told this parable in anticipation of his death on the cross that offers forgiveness of sin and restoration of our relationship with God.
What exciting news to tell our kids.
I wanted to do a craft to drive home this point. I did a Google image search and found this idea on Pinterest, but the links I found only led to an image rather than a “how to” or tutorial. I wanted to make sure you received a printable and directions on how to make it all come together.
1. Use a piece of construction paper or colorful card stock. Measure in 3 inches along the length of the paper and draw a guide line. This was a great opportunity to teach kids how to measure and draw straight lines using a ruler.
2. Have your kids cut along your guide lines. This will give you a strip of paper 3″ by 11.”
3. Fold this paper into thirds.
4. You or your kids will want to cut out the printable I made for you. I actually made two for you to choose from:
a. Printable with Just the Verse and Head Outline – Older kids can do the google eyes and draw in their own face.
b. Printable with Drawn in Face – Easier for Sunday School Lessons and younger kids to color.
5. Draw around your kids’ hands and cut them out.
6. Kids can now glue down the verse/head and hands. I recommend using a glue stick for paper crafts like this.
7. Kids can use a Sharpie or another pen to create the mouth and nose. I like to use white glue to attach the eyes.
8. The final step is to add on the hair. I used twine, but you could use yarn too. Again, I used white glue for this part. They can add hair on top of the head or facial hair too.
I love how the arms open wide with a willingness to forgive. I also like how they interlock to show a big embrace as the son returns to the father. I chose the verse, “In Him we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance of the riches of God’s grace.” – Ephesians 1:7. Although this has some big words that need explaining, it’s such a rich verse that can bring such hope to all of us. After all, we are ALL sinners and can only come into God’s presence because of his abundant forgiveness and grace.
If you are a parent working on raising up your children in a way that teaches the truth about God, I want to provide you with a few of our family favorite resources. (affiliate links)
- Jesus Storybook Bible – This is my favorite. I tear up throughout the story, and I am amazed at how beautifully they tell the gospel story and weave Jesus into each story from the creation of the world to the end of the New Testament. I even buy this book for friends who are wanting to learn more about the Christian faith. It tells God’s story in a way that makes so much sense.
- Long Story Short – Ten Minute Devotions to Draw Your Family to God – This is the Bible Study we are currently doing as a family, and I love it. I love that it ties the Old Testament stories to Jesus, like the “Jesus Storybook Bible.” It is an engaging way to interact with your kids, with questions geared for great discussion. My oldest (age 7) is especially loving it, and it always the one who goes and grabs the book to make sure we get our devotion done. There are 5 lessons a week that take about 10 minutes. It is super manageable and brings a lot of intention into your Christian parenting journey. Even today, my daughter was whining about not getting something her sister was able to get. They had learned about the story of Cain and the word “envy.” It was a great tie in to discussion about her current feelings. Although I haven’t read them, the same author has two other books – Old Story New and The Gospel Bible Story.
- Seeds Worship CDs – These are my favorite kid music CD’s to play in the car. They are not annoying! The music is well composed but straight scripture. My kids have easily memorized scriptures since we have these playing in the car. Here are some of their CD’s: Seeds of Courage, Seeds of Praise, Seeds of Character, Seeds Family Worship
- Grace for the Moment – I haven’t actually gone through this one with my kids, but I have heard great things. It is full of 365 different devotions to last throughout the year. It’s written by Max Lucado, and I tend to love all of his work, so I look forward to doing this one in the future.
Thanks for sharing! I’ll be using this tonight!
So cool! I’m so glad it’s going to be used. Thank you for letting me know, and I hope you have fun with it!
It worked well! I used it with a group of 3 year olds so I had everything already cut out. they drew the faces and glued it all together. They had fun “giving hugs” with it. 🙂
That’s so great. Thank you so much for reporting back. I love to hear these kind of stories. Blessings!
Thank you for this fun and cute craft! I will be using it with my 3 year old Sunday School kids tomorrow. 🙂
I’m so glad it’s going to good use. Thanks so much for letting me know. I hope it’s a lot of fun for them!
This craft is just perfect for my Children’s church craft for Father’s Day. Thank you for posting.
I’m so glad you did this with the kids for Father’s Day. What a great tie in to real life. It is really encouraging to know when these things are being used, so thank you so much for commenting.
Thank you for this tutorial! I will be using it at church this Sabbath with our Cradle Roll class! I wasn’t sure what type of paper to use for the “verse/head”, but I thought a card stock would hold up well?! Thank you!
Yes – Card stock is great. I hope the craft went really well. Thanks for letting me know how it’s being used.
Thank you for posting the attachment to print out the face and scripture….it was extremely helpful! I will be doing this craft tomorrow with the kindergartners from our church!
I hope it went really well! Thanks for commenting!
Cool! I will use this with my special-needs Sunday school class!
Love that! Thanks for letting me know. I hope it really goes well! Bless you for all you do!
Hello! This is a great idea for a craft! I wanted to ask if I could use it in a Sunday School lesson I’m writing for a small church in a Central Asian nation (to be shared with other churches there, as there is a severe lack of resources for children there). I would properly cite the website, etc., and I would use my own images. I’ve summarized the instructions in a slightly different way, so there’s no copy-paste or anything. I’ll even make my own printable, since it’s in a different language. Please let me know if you will give permission for us to use this craft idea! Thanks!
Hello! Thanks so much for writing to ask. I’d be happy to have this featured in your Sunday School lesson, and I do appreciate you citing my website. I’d love to become a resource for other moms around the world. Blessings on what you are doing!
Thank you!
Thank you very much for that cute craft! I will use this tomorrow in sunday school.
So I just have to translate the verse into German 😀 and it looks like lot of fun doing it!
May our heavenly father bless you
Thank you so much. So fun to know this craft is being used and spread to different countries. 🙂
I plan to use your craft for my 2nd and 3rd grade Sunday School class today but I am having a problem printing the head and scripture from your link. It is possible you could give me the measurements so I could create it myself and print it. Thank you so much.
I’m so sorry you are having troubles. Dropbox has been giving me issues. I changed the links, and I think they should be easier to download now. Let me know if you have any more issues. Thanks! Jodi
I am a missionary in Guatemala. Materials in Spanish are very expensive and usually in color. I am trying to put together a book for Children’s ministry for rural churches with patterns that people can photocopy. I am trying to include a craft with each Bible lesson. I am trying to create a book that is within reach of the people’s economic level. The craft you have here looked simple for me to create a circle to photocopy and a rectangle for the body to photocopy. I would like to use this craft. People here do not have enough funds to go to the internet and look for crafts and ideas like this. Would you be willing for me to use this in the book? It will be sold at cost of printing. I will not be making a profit on it. Thanks for your consideration.
Yes, you have my permission to use this for that purpose. I appreciate you asking, and I wish you blessings on your mission work. Thank you!
This is so elementary, simple, penetrating and easy to remember. I am actually teaching two different sessions from Luke 15: 11-32 in our church’s annual creative camp tomorrow. It will aid my teaching skill. Thank you so much for sharing your God-given creativity with the world. God bless and enrich you more. Amen!
Yay! I’m so happy to help. Thank you for serving the kids in the way that you do. I love to see how the body of Christ works together, and I feel blessed to be a part of it. Blessings on all you do.
In my Sunday School class, we are talking about forgiveness. This will fit in perfectly! Thank you so much for the idea! I will be using it this coming Sunday
I love to know this is being used. Thank you so much for serving those kids and letting me know how you are using it. Blessings on your lessons.
Thanks Jodi! I will be using this craft idea in Australia as part of a “Scripture Union Beach Mission”. With this craft children who may otherwise not hear of the invitation God gives them to be a part of his family, will now hear this and be able to take this message and share it with their families. I pray that God will use this to bring these precious children into relationship with Him.
God bless.
So fun to hear how this is being used. I love to know that God’s kingdom is being impacted across the globe! I pray the same things for the children you are working with in Australia. Thank you so much for letting me know!
Thank you! Using it tomorrow for my Primary Sabbath School class in Taipei, Taiwan. Blessings! 😀
So exciting to hear where and how my content is being used. Blessings on you!
Thank you very much from the Philippines! Cristina jonesc@aiias.edu
Hello from the Philippines! So glad this is going to good use!
Thank you
Of course. 🙂
Hello! Thank you for sharing this idea. Will be using this in our Sunday school lesson this week. Thanks so much and God Bless.
Yay! Thanks so much for letting me know. I’m so glad you found it and that it will be used. 🙂 Blessings.
This is a great way to teach forgiveness to children.
I am a Sunday school teacher I love this idea.
Thank you so much. I’m glad you find it helpful. Thanks for teaching those kiddos too.
Thank you for sharing this activity, we are covering The Prodigal Son at Messy Church & I can just see the children having fun doing this one.
Thanks so much for commenting. I hope it is a huge success. Blessings!