Welcome to the Rotation.org Writing Team's 7 Creative Sunday School Lessons about the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Designed with 
Rotation.org Writing Team
Parable of the Prodigal Son
Lesson Summaries
Your Writing Team has created seven wonderfully creative "Workshop-style" lesson plans that teach what is arguably Jesus' most important and well-known parable. Broadly-graded, they are suitable for both Rotation-style and traditional Sunday schools. Adaptations included with each lesson include those for shorter class times, and for younger and older students. As always, Writing Team lessons include unique activities that make every part of the lesson an engaging learning experience. Learn more about the Prodigal Writing Team on this page's endnotes. If you haven't already, become a Supporting Member to access the lesson plans. 
Luke 15:11-32 (NIV)
Memory Verse:
"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." Luke 15:32 (NIV)
Bible Background and Lesson Objectives ~ Open to all 
Written for teachers, our Prodigal Son Bible Background focuses on the most important meanings and life applications in the parable for children. It also includes enriching insights for the teacher and several intriguing word-studies from Luke's text. Everyone can read it, print it, share it 
Lesson Plan Summaries
Rembrandt's Art StudioRembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son is considered his Mona Lisa, his masterpiece --and after creatively exploring it and the parable, your students will create their own charcoal masterpiece interpretation of Rembrandt and Jesus' masterpiece! Rembrandt's use of "highlights and shadows" reveals the heart of Jesus' story and a few surprises for our students!
"Breaking News" Drama Workshop
Students prepare and dramatize a simple but fun "Breaking News" newscast titled "The Prodigal Son Returns Home to Protests." Only the newscaster and reporter need a script. The "protestors" outside the party reveal what's on the mind of the Older Brother and all those who don't want God's grace to be so freely given to sinners. Students are invited to join the father's "counter-protest" and invitation to join God's party.
Safe At Home Bible Skills & Games Workshop
In this baseball-themed lesson, your students will round the bases of the story and slide into home to discover the story and learn what it means to be "safe at home" in God's Kingdom.
This lesson guides your students through the Prodigal Son software (Sunday Software) -- a free download for our Supporting Members (video overview of the software below).
They'll hear and see the story, explore various animated study notes, enjoy a music video to remember the story, and reflect in an onscreen letter-writing activity about how to talk with our prodigals, our God, and our older "brothers." Connect your PC to a large screen or projector, or install on as many PCs as you like.
Slap-Clap Music and Movement Workshop
Your kids are in for a special treat! This lesson introduces students to a simple rhythm activity that will then be used to retell and respond to the story. The lesson concludes with a cool animated song about the Older Brother that they can watch or sing along with and discuss. The only musical skill needed to teach this lesson is the ability to keep time.
Prodigal Turnover Cooking Workshop
We couldn't resist having the kids make three special "turnovers" to help understand and celebrate the Prodigal Son's turnover (repentance) and consider our own. This lesson also connects the father's party to the one where all are welcome around Jesus' Communion table of forgiveness and celebration.
We've edited together a special downloadable video clip from Jesus of Nazareth that dramatically and emotionally retells the story, and puts faces on the "two brothers" in a very surprising way. Together, the clip and lesson reveal just how norm-shattering the words of Jesus were to his original listeners, and still are today.
Meet Your Prodigal Writing Team!
- Tasha Blackburn, Writer, Pastor at First Presbyterian, Fort Smith, Arkansas
- Dena Kitchens, Writer, Retired Educator at Brookhaven UMC, Brookhaven, Georgia
- Laura Loving, Writer, Pastor at the United Church in Los Alamos, New Mexico
- Prue Swerlick, Writer, Sunday School teacher at Shallowford Presbyterian, Atlanta
- Charlotte Teel, Writer, Retired Deacon and Educator at Wesley UMC, Yukon, Oklahoma
- Amy Crane, Lesson Editor, President of Rotation.org, Sunday school teacher at Faith Presbyterian, Covington, Louisiana
- Neil MacQueen, Rotation.org's Staff Writer. Neil is a Presbyterian minister living in Blue Rock Ohio
Tasha, Dena, Laura, Prue, Charlotte, and Amy are all volunteers and Supporting Members of Rotation.org. Learn more about the Writing Team and consider joining one in the future.
Notes:
Our thanks to artists Mitch Mann and Rembrandt for letting us borrow their original Prodigal Son paintings for this set 
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