Free Sunday School lesson · Ages 2–12

The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32 (KJV)

This free Sunday School lesson teaches Luke 15, where a son takes his portion, spends it, comes to himself, and returns to a father who sees him a great way off. It is written for ages 2 to 12, and children learn what the son said when he came back, and what his father did. Each age group gets six printable activities.

Everything here is free to download, print and copy for your class. Open to everyone.

Ages 2–4 Ages 5–6 Ages 7–9 Ages 10–12 Teacher guide

Sunday School lesson

This lesson at a glance

Bible passage
Luke 15:11-32
Ages
2 to 12, in four age groups
What is included
Six activity sheets for each age group and one Teacher Notes and Answer Keys guide
Memory verse
Luke 15:24 (KJV)
Format
US Letter PDFs, print-ready, black and white
Access
Open to everyone. Free to print and copy for your class

What children learn

Children learn that this is a parable Jesus told, that the son said Father, I have sinned, and that the father rejoiced because he was lost, and is found.

The printables in this lesson

Each age group has six different activities, chosen for what a child of that age can do. Read any one on screen before you print it.

Ages 2–4 All ages 2–4 resources

coloring page Ages 2–4

Color the picture. Listen and tell.

Memory verse: Luke 15:24 (KJV)

Free PDF (248 KB)

early learner activity Ages 2–4

Find the same picture in each row. Circle it.

Free PDF (219 KB)

early learner activity Ages 2–4

Listen to each clue. Circle a picture.

Free PDF (162 KB)

sequencing activity Ages 2–4

Cut the pictures. Put the first event first. Tell.

Adult help with scissors and glue.

Free PDF (121 KB)

early learner activity Ages 2–4

Color. Draw inside. Fold and tell.

Adult help with folding and scissors.

Free PDF (157 KB)

drawing activity Ages 2–4

Draw in the big space. Tell the Bible connection.

Free PDF (67 KB)

Ages 5–6 All ages 5–6 resources

early learner activity Ages 5–6

Look carefully. Find. Tell. Explain.

Memory verse: Luke 15:24 (KJV)

Free PDF (262 KB)

sequencing activity Ages 5–6

Read together. Write 1-3. Cut and retell.

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (147 KB)

comprehension worksheet Ages 5–6

Look. Read together. Circle the Bible answer.

Free PDF (161 KB)

Scripture memory activity Ages 5–6

Read together. Fill one word. Cut the bookmarks.

Memory verse: Luke 15:24 (KJV)

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (74 KB)

early learner activity Ages 5–6

Cut. Find the pairs. Explain each Bible picture.

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (154 KB)

drawing activity Ages 5–6

Read together. Draw the change. Tell how you know.

Free PDF (63 KB)

Ages 7–9 All ages 7–9 resources

word puzzle Ages 7–9

Read the clues. Unscramble. Use the passage.

Free PDF (55 KB)

Scripture memory activity Ages 7–9

Read. Recall the missing words. Locate the verse.

Memory verse: Luke 15:24 (KJV)

Adult help with scissors.

Free PDF (90 KB)

drawing activity Ages 7–9

Read the verses. Draw before and after. Explain.

Free PDF (63 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 7–9

Find each reference. Record the fact you discover.

Free PDF (55 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 7–9

Read the references. Record answers. Explain a connection.

Free PDF (54 KB)

comprehension worksheet Ages 7–9

Read. Look at the reminders. Explain the Bible lesson.

Free PDF (162 KB)

Ages 10–12 All ages 10–12 resources

word puzzle Ages 10–12

Decode the phrase. Investigate its Scripture setting.

Free PDF (95 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Read the references. Write discoveries beside the pictures.

Free PDF (108 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Read. Record the facts. Explain how they connect.

Free PDF (54 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Find each word. Explain its meaning in this passage.

Free PDF (54 KB)

sequencing activity Ages 10–12

Read. Draw three discoveries. Explain your choices.

Free PDF (34 KB)

Bible study worksheet Ages 10–12

Read the Scripture. Explain and plan a practical response.

Free PDF (162 KB)

Teacher Notes & Answer Keys

One guide for all four age groups: the lesson objective, teaching guidance, a verified answer for every sheet above, the meaning of the King James words the sheets use, and preparation and safety notes. Each entry names the sheet it answers.

printable All Ages

7 pages

Free PDF (68 KB)

Before you teach it

Identify this as Jesus' parable. The father illustrates compassionate welcome; the drawing is an ordinary story father, not a literal portrait of God. Avoid shame-based questions about a child's worth. Teach responsibility and repentance without replacing Acts 2:38. The table is a meal reminder; exact dishes are not recorded. Pictures are visual reminders; species, clothing, exact shapes and small scene details are reconstructions unless the passage states them. Offer pointing, oral answers or a scribe. Supervise all cutting. Read the cited verses before using the activities.

Teaching at home during the week as well? Faith Schooling publishes a K–5 curriculum for reading, mathematics, and language and writing. The placement check is free.

Week 27

Jesus Teaches Prayer

Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13 Children learn the prayer Jesus gave, beginning Our Father which art in heaven, and that prayer is spoken to the one God rather than performed for people to see. It is instruction in prayer, and the lesson does not present it in place of the gospel response in Acts 2:38. Open the lesson →

Activities: 2–4 activities for Jesus Teaches Prayer 5–6 activities for Jesus Teaches Prayer 7–9 activities for Jesus Teaches Prayer 10–12 activities for Jesus Teaches Prayer

Week 28

The Sower and Receiving the Word

Mark 4:1-20 Children learn that this is a parable Jesus told, that the sower soweth the word, and that Jesus explained all four soils Himself, including the good ground, which is such as hear the word, and receive it. No child is labelled as any kind of ground. Open the lesson →

Activities: 2–4 activities for The Sower and Receiving the Word 5–6 activities for The Sower and Receiving the Word 7–9 activities for The Sower and Receiving the Word 10–12 activities for The Sower and Receiving the Word

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