Children's Liturgy Guide

4th Sunday of Lent

Year C · Lent

The Father Who Welcomes Us Home

Reading: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

Jesus tells a story about a son who leaves home and wastes everything his father gave him. When the son comes back feeling sorry, his father runs to him with open arms and throws a big party because he is so happy his son came home.

Key Points

  • God the Father loves us like the father in the story, always waiting and ready to forgive
  • Coming back to God when we have done wrong brings great joy to God
  • We can always return to God no matter what we have done
  • God does not just forgive us, He celebrates when we come back to Him

Background

This parable, often called the Prodigal Son, is a masterwork of Jesus' teaching on divine mercy. The Greek word for the father's compassion (splanchnizomai) indicates a deep, visceral response, suggesting God's love moves Him at the core of His being. The older son's resentment illustrates how self-righteousness can blind us to the Father's generous love. Theologically, this parable reveals the nature of repentance and reconciliation, central themes for Lent as we prepare for Easter. For children, emphasize the father's joyful welcome and the simple act of coming home, setting aside the older brother's jealousy and the deeper implications of inheritance law in ancient culture. Focus on the concrete image of the father running to embrace his son.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear God, thank You for loving us so much and always being ready to welcome us back when we make mistakes. Help us to remember that You are always waiting for us with open arms. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever been away from home and then felt really happy when you came back and saw your family waiting for you?

Example: Yes, when I went to my grandma's house for a whole week I missed my mom and dad so much, and when I came home they hugged me really tight and I was so happy.

Bridge to the reading: That wonderful feeling of coming home to people who love you is exactly what we hear about in today's reading. Jesus tells a story about a son who went far away and a father who waited and watched every day, hoping his son would come home.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. In Jesus' story, what did the younger son ask his father to give him before he left home?

    Example: The younger son asked his father to give him his share of the money and all the things that would be his someday.

  2. What happened to all the money and things the son took with him when he left?

    Example: He spent all of it and wasted everything he had until he had nothing left and was very hungry and poor.

  3. When the son was walking home, what did the father do as soon as he saw him far away?

    Example: The father ran to his son as fast as he could and hugged him and kissed him because he was so happy to see him.

  4. Why do you think the father threw a big party with music and dancing for his son?

    Example: I think the father was so happy and excited that his son came back home that he wanted to celebrate and show everyone how much he loved him.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How do you think it feels to know that God is always ready to forgive you and welcome you back, no matter what?

    Example: It makes me feel safe and happy inside because I know that even when I mess up God still loves me and wants me to come back to Him.

  2. When you have done something wrong at home or school, what can you do to make things right again?

    Example: I can say I am sorry and really mean it and try my best not to do that wrong thing again and give a hug.

  3. This week, how can you show someone in your family that you are happy they are with you?

    Example: I can give my little brother a big hug when he comes home from school and tell him I am glad he is my brother.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell a story about a father who loved his son so much. Even when the son left and made bad choices, the father waited and watched for him every day. When the son came home, the father ran to him with open arms and threw a party. This story teaches us that God our Father loves us the same way. No matter what we do, God is always ready to welcome us back with joy.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For all children who feel far away from God and need to know that He is waiting to welcome them home with love, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

During Lent, we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where we come back to God just like the son came back to his father. When the priest says the words of absolution, God the Father welcomes us home with open arms, just like in today's story.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving Father, thank You for always welcoming us home when we come back to You. Help us to remember Your love this week and to share that same forgiveness with others. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

The Father Who Welcomes Us Home

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

M N V I N F R E I X R B K K A
P A R T Y F R W C M J J R N H
S K E Y N D W S E J H Y S R A
R Y H O R A O Q L K J U U V I
S C T V U N Z V E C K J H Q Q
E J A C T B Y R B Z D O D H O
M M F U E F J E R A I H K O W
I U V Y R O E X A J L H U W E
C Z K Q P R X I T L C O R G L
L I V K R G X K E N V M V Z C
P C I Q E I X J H N N E P E O
A N B W G V H V H S O R R Y M
X S R V C E Y O J Y I E E N E
V A Y R I R N Y J U B T L U B
F G K J W W X C Y I P V M K A

Words to find

  • Father
  • son
  • home
  • forgive
  • party
  • hug
  • welcome
  • love
  • sorry
  • celebrate
  • return
  • joy

ChildrensLiturgy.org