Luke 15
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. Jesus is telling a story. A lot of people are listening. Very quiet.
There was once a shepherd. He had a hundred sheep. Big, small, woolly sheep. Every evening he counted them. One, two, three… all the way to a hundred.
But one evening, oh no. One sheep was gone! Just ninety-nine.
The shepherd left right away. He walked over hills. He looked behind bushes. He called: "Little sheep, where are you?"
And then… then he heard something. A soft "baaaa". There she was! All alone. The shepherd was so happy. He picked her up. He laid her on his shoulders. And he walked home.
At home he called all his friends. "Come! My sheep is back! We are going to have a party!"
Then Jesus told another story. About a boy. That boy said to his father: "Dad, I want to leave." And he went. Far, far away.
At first it was fun. But the boy did stupid things. He spent all his money. Then he got hungry. Very hungry. He had to feed the pigs. He was allowed to eat pig food. Yuck.
The boy sat there and thought. "At home there is bread. My father has bread. I am going back."
He walked and walked. Tired feet. Sad heart.
But look! Far away, his father is standing. His father sees him coming. And what does his father do? He runs! He runs to his boy. He hugs him tight. He kisses him.
"You are home!" the father says. "My boy is home!"
What Does This Mean?
Jesus wants to say something very important. God is like that shepherd. God is like that father.
If you get lost, God comes looking. If you have done something wrong, God is happy when you come back. Very, very happy.
God does not stay angry. God runs toward you.
The Common Thread
Jesus told these stories so people would know: God loves you. Even if you have wandered off. Even if you have done something silly.
Jesus is like the shepherd too. He came to look for people. He carries you home. On His shoulders. Safe.
For You
Sometimes you do something you should not do. Maybe you hit. Maybe you told a fib. Then you feel yucky inside.
You may always come to God. Just say: "God, sorry." And guess what? God is happy that you come. Just like the father. Just like the shepherd.
You are precious. God knows your name. If you get lost, He comes looking. Every time.
Talk About It
Have you ever been lost somewhere? How did that feel? And how did it feel when Mom or Dad found you?
The father in the story runs to his boy. What do you think God does when you come to Him?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You look for me. Thank You that You love me. When I do something wrong, help me to come back to You. Just like the boy went home.
I love You, God.
Amen.
Questions about Luke 15
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Luke 15 about?
What does Luke 15 say?
What does Luke 15 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Luke 15?
Why is Luke 15 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Reading Luke 15 about the prodigal son, I only noticed it this time: the father runs. An old man running through the village, robe lifted, dignity abandoned. That is not a story about repentance. That is a story about how we are sought.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him." Notice the direction they moved. Toward him. People who knew exactly what they were felt safe drawing near. That says something about how Jesus carried himself. Do people who feel unworthy come closer when they're around you, or find a reason to leave?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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