Taken “liberally” from Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32 with help from Mykka Ellis

Narrator:    Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. ²And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying,

Pharisees and Sinners:  “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” ³

Nar:  So Jesus told them this parable:

 “There was a man who had a son and a daughter.  (Point–This is the son, the younger child—  This is the daughter, the older child.)

Son:  Hey, Dad.   You know all that money that will be mine when you die?  Well I want my half now.

Dad:  That seems foolish, but if you want it, here it is.  Here is half for you, and what about the other half?  (He turns to the daughter.)

Daughter:  Well, I’ll take my half now too.  I might as well.

Nar:   So he divided his money between them. ¹A few days later the son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country…

Son: Whoopie,  Las Vegas, here I come.  But first, I’m going to IHop for breakfast.  Hey, Guys, want to go out to breakfast and then come with me to Las Vegas?

Friends of son: (Calling to others.)  Sure.  Yeah!   Come on.   We’re headed for Vegas with junior, here.  WhaHooo!

Nar: There in Vegas he wasted his money in bad living.   After while, he and his friends had nothing.

Friends of son:  Bye, dude.  We’re all out of cash.  No more Ihop.  See you later.

Son:  Wait, guys.  I need money for a ride home.   (They pay no attention and leave.  He sits down and puts his head in his hands.)

Nar:  No question that this youngest son was a jerk.  When he had spent everything, a severe economic depression took place throughout that country, and he had nothing to live on. So he hired himself out to one of the farmers nearby, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the food that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.   Soon he was diving in dumpsters to find garbage to eat.  From Ihop to dumpsters, he had gone a long way down.  But one day as he sat in the dumpster, sorting through trash, he came to himself.

Son:  How many of my father’s workers have enough bread, but here I am picking through garbage and dying of hunger! I need to get out of here and go back to my father’s farm, and I’ll say to him, “Father, I have sinned against God and you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your workers.”

Nar: So he set off and went to his father. But while he was way down the road, his father saw him coming and was filled with compassion and love.

Father:  Look, look who’s coming.  (Father runs and puts his arms around junior and kisses him on the cheeks.) ²

Son:  Dad, Dad.  (hugs his dad) Father, I have sinned against God and you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

Father: No, son.  That’s not true.  You will always be my son and I’m so glad you are safe.   (to his servants) Quickly, bring out a jacket—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and new shoes on his feet. And get the fat calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!  (They jump up and down and dance to celebrate.)

Nar:   Now his daughter was in the field; and when she came near the house, she heard music and dancing.   She called one of the servants and asked what was going on. Servant:  Your brother has come home, and your father has killed the calf for a party, because your brother is back safe and sound. They are having a celebration.

Daughter:  ( angry)  What?  That brother of mine who left us here to take care of the farm—we’re giving him a party?  I don’t think so.   I’m not going to any party!  

Nar:  The daughter refused to go in the house. Then her father came out and began to beg her to come inside and join the party. ²But she answered her father.

Daughter: Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this irresponsible brother of mine comes back, who has used your money for some bad living, you put on a barbecue for him!’

Father:  Dear, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.

Prodigal Son (and Daughter)- Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32  

1.  Who does the father represent?

2.  What does the son want the money for?

3.  Why does the father give it to him?

4.  What does the son do with his money?  What should he have done?

5.  Why does the father give him a party when he comes home?

6.  Why is the daughter mad?

7.  What is the sin of the daughter?

8.  Why did Jesus tell this story?

9.  What part of this story speaks to you?  

10.  What is the meaning of this story for you?