Luke 12-17; John 11
"Rejoice with Me; for I Have Found My Sheep Which Was Lost"
Materials: Videos (links below), coloring page
Opening Prayer:
Opening Song: "I Stand All Amazed" (Hymnal, 193)
Scripture: Luke 15: 6-7 "Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance."
Attention Activity:
Ask each family member to think of an object they have, which they truly love and cherish. (A toy, a blanket, a photo album, phone, etc.) How would you feel if it got lost? What would you do to find it?
Lesson:
Last week, we talked about how Christ is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. When we become lost, He wants to lead us back to the strait and narrow path. Today, we are going to learn about a parable Jesus taught about a young man who became lost. It's called the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
Show one of the following videos about The Prodigal Son
Bible Video "The Prodigal Son"
or
For younger children watch this animated video. Part 1. & Part 2
What did the younger son do with his money? How did the father react when he saw his son again? Why was the older brother angry? The father explained that the older son would still receive all that his father had and that he should be happy for his brother's safe return home.
Read Luke 15:7 Not all of us will waste our money on "riotous living" like the prodigal son. We may not fall away from the church, but we all need the Savior's atonement. We all make mistakes and there are times where we might have doubts and feel "lost". ...In truth, there are none who 'need no repentance.' We all need rescuing. And we all can participate in the rescue, rejoicing together over every soul who is saved" (Come Follow Me Manual, 70).
Show "The Prodigal Son" by Liz Lemon Swindle
Just like the father opened his arms and his home to his younger "prodigal son", our Father in Heaven is always waiting for us with open arms, ready to give us all that he has, and open his eternal home in heaven for us, when we are ready to return to him. The prodigal son had to first humble himself and agree to work before he was ready to rejoin his father. We must be willing to do the same, and Heavenly Father's arms will be open unto us as well.
Activities:
Play a few rounds of hide and seek with your family. The seeker must give each family member a hug when they are found.
Prodigal Son Coloring Page
Closing Song: "I'm trying to be like Jesus" (Children's Songbook, 78)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment:
Texas Sheet Cake
2 c sugar
1/2 t salt
1 c water
1/2 c sour cream
1 t baking soda
2 c flour
1 c butter
4 T coca
2 eggs
In large bowl or mixer put sugar, flour, and salt. In small heavy pan bring butter, water, and cocoa to boil. Take from heat and add immediately to dry ingrediants. Add sour cream, eggs, and baking soda. Mix well until blended. Batter will be very thin. Pout into lightly greased and floured 10x15 jelly roll pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 375. Test with toothpick. Don't over bake.
Frosting
1 c chopped nuts
1 box powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
6 T milk
4 T cocoa
1 cube butter
Boil milk, butter, and cocoa till bubbly. Mix in sugar, powdered sugar, and nuts, beating until smooth. Spread over slightly cooled cake.
