1. To describe the Parable of the Lost/ Prodigal Son
To explain & evaluate what the parable shows about God’s forgiveness and about reconciliation
Watch the video and remind yourself of the story.
How is it similar to PCPCA of the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

2. Parable of the Lost/ Prodigal Son (How God forgives.)
Label what happens for each missing part of the story board.
When does the son begin to change?
How does the son start to change? (his thoughts, actions)
What is surprising about the Father’s reaction to the returning son?
Read the ending of the story (right). Was the older brother right to be angry?
Why is the Father’s final comment more appropriate?
**The parable shows reconciliation as a process that takes time & reflection. Do you think this is true to life?
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. When he found out it was a party for his brother, the older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 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.’”

3. Tell your partner the story

4. Exam Q – 6mksExplain what the Parable of the Forgiving Father teaches Christians about
forgiveness.
reconciliation
Younger son takes time to realise he has done wrong
has courage to go back to the Father
Trusts in the Father’s love
Is willing to make up for his sin
is humble
Receives full and unconditional acceptance and forgiveness from the Father
Is back to being a “son”
Feels like he has got his life back
nothing is too bad to be forgiven.
Younger son is able to ask for forgiveness /
father ready to forgive freely /
elder son has to recognise that forgiveness is unconditional – you don’t have to be “deserving”
all entitled to God’s love /
be ready to ask for, to grant forgiveness and not to be resentful /
nothing is too bad to be forgiven.

5. Exam Q – 6mks
Explain what the Parable of the Forgiving Father teaches Christians about reconciliation.
(Explain 4 things: refer to 4 different parts of the story, and explain what each one shows us about reconciliation.)
Eg In the Parable of the Forgiving Father/ Lost Son,
the Son/ Father....(does/ says what?)
This shows us that for reconciliation, you/ God...