Children's Liturgy Guide

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

The Father Who Welcomes Us Home

Reading: Luke 15:1-32

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 makes bad choices, but his father never stops loving him. When the son comes back, his father runs to hug him and throws a big party because he is so happy his child came home.

Key Points

  • God loves us like the father in the story, always waiting and hoping we will come back to Him
  • When we make mistakes or do wrong things, God does not stop loving us
  • God celebrates when we say sorry and come back to Him
  • We are invited to be happy when others come back to God too

Background

This Gospel contains three parables of mercy: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. The prodigal son parable is the climax, illustrating divine mercy in its fullest expression. The father represents God the Father, whose love is unconditional and whose forgiveness is immediate and complete. The younger son represents sinners who stray from God, while the elder son represents those who may struggle with envy or self-righteousness when mercy is shown to others. Theologically, the father's running to meet the son would have been undignified for a patriarch in that culture, emphasizing God's eagerness to reconcile with us. The robe, ring, and sandals restore the son's full status as a family member, not a servant. For children, emphasize the father's joyful welcome and the party, showing that God is happy when we come back after making mistakes. Set aside the complex dynamics with the elder brother and the cultural shame elements.

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 welcoming us back when we make mistakes. Help us to listen to this story about Your amazing love and 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, maybe at a sleepover or grandparents' house, and then felt so happy when you came back home and saw your family waiting for you?

Example: Yes, I stayed at my grandma's house for two whole nights and when I came home my mom gave me a really big hug and I was so happy to see my dog too.

Bridge to the reading: That wonderful feeling of coming home and being welcomed is part of today's story. Jesus tells us about a son who goes far away from his father, but when he comes back home, his father runs to meet him with the biggest hug and throws a party to celebrate.

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's story, what did the younger son do with all the money his father gave him?

    Example: He went far away to another place and spent all of his money on things until he had nothing left at all.

  2. When the son had no money and no food, what job did he have to do?

    Example: He had to take care of pigs and feed them, and he was so hungry he wanted to eat the pig food.

  3. What did the father do when he saw his son coming back home from far away?

    Example: The father ran to his son really fast and gave him a big hug and kissed him because he was so happy.

  4. Why do you think the father wanted to have a party when his son came home?

    Example: Because he missed his son so much and he was so happy and relieved that his son came back home safe.

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 the son felt when his father ran to hug him instead of being angry?

    Example: He probably felt really surprised and happy and maybe he wanted to cry because his dad still loved him so much.

  2. When you do something wrong and say sorry, what could you remember about how God feels about you?

    Example: I could remember that God is like the father in the story who runs to hug me and is happy when I say sorry.

  3. This week, if someone in your family or a friend does something wrong and then says sorry, how can you be like the father in the story?

    Example: I can forgive them and be nice to them and maybe give them a hug and not stay mad at them anymore.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell a story about a father who loved his son so much. Even when the son went far away and made bad choices, the father watched and waited for him to come home. When the son came back, the father ran to hug him and threw a big party. Jesus wants us to know that God loves us just like that father. God is always ready to welcome us back with a hug when we say sorry.

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 or their families, that they may know they are loved and welcomed home, we pray to the Lord.

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 back when we make mistakes. Help us to remember Your love and to forgive others the way You forgive us. 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 15:1-32

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.

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

Words to find

  • Father
  • son
  • home
  • love
  • party
  • hug
  • forgive
  • welcome
  • Jesus
  • lost
  • found
  • happy

ChildrensLiturgy.org