Very young children's session

Jesus tells the religious leaders a parable about a father and his two sons, to demonstrate how God welcomes back those who have wandered far from him. An errant son comes to his senses and returns home. The son who has remained at home struggles with the welcome his brother receives. Their loving father goes out to meet each of them halfway, inviting them both to enjoy all that he has given them.

This week we explore two ways of being lost, one way to be found.

Prepare

Very young children's Session

Provide the following play materials for very young children throughout the session: dolls and accessories.

Gather

Very young childrens Session

Gathering song

Sing to the tune: London’s burning

Brother Jesus, in the desert,
being tempted, he resisted!
What can we do?
Talk to Jesus when we’re tempted.

Share the Word

Very young childrens Session

Invite the children to choose a puppet to tell the story: the man, the two sons, pigs.

Jesus told a story about a man who had two sons.
One day, the younger son asked his dad
to give him his share of money.
The young man took the money and left home.
He wasted all his money and had to get a job.
But the only job he could find was feeding pigs.
He was so hungry, he started eating the pig food!
He decided to go home and say sorry to his dad.
As soon as the dad saw his son, he rushed to him,
gave him beautiful gifts and held a party.
The older brother was jealous of the celebrations.
His dad explained that he was always with him,
but now they could celebrate
because the younger brother had returned home.

Explore and respond

Very young childrens Session

Hide and seek

Play and think about being lost and being found

Play hide and seek: encourage the children to find different hiding places and celebrate when they are found or when they find someone. Ask them how it felt to be ‘lost’ and then ‘found’.

Make a card

Create a symbol of showing someone something of God’s love

Invite the children to decorate card heart shapes with bright colours and sparkles, to give to someone they love.

Very young childrens Session

0-5s song(s)

I Just Wanna Be A Sheep

Pray and say sorry

Teach the BSL signs for love (Sign language demonstration available here) and use them as you pray:

Thank you, Jesus, that you love me.
Help me to share your love with others.
Amen.

Very young childrens Session

Childrens Session

Talk to God: Painting prayers E S A

Illustrate the emotions of being lost and found

One at a time, ask the children to come and paint big, dark streaks on to the white sheet. The aim is to make as ugly a picture as possible.
Talk together about how the things we do wrong are like the dark paint, messing up the white space. Invite everyone to take a moment to pray and bring our mistakes to God and ask for forgiveness.
Place the second white sheet over the first one, so that the horrible marks can no longer be seen. Then pray a simple prayer aloud to thank God for the forgiveness and love we are offered.

Missing things search E

A game to think about being lost

You will need: five small objects.

Ask the children to stand facing a wall with their eyes closed while one child hides five objects around the room. Then invite the group to see how quickly they can find the lost objects. Repeat a couple of times to give different children a turn hiding the objects.
Once you have finished playing the game, talk about the different ways people can get lost and how people can feel lost inside. Ask: What sort of emotions might you feel if you were lost inside?

Activity sheet

Go with God

Very young childrens Session

Sing

To the tune: Twinkle, twinkle, little star

Farewell friends, as we depart,
keep these stories in our hearts.
Through these days of Lent we know,
that our faith in God may grow.
Through temptations in our days,
be like Jesus through our ways.

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