Chapter 5: The Forgiving Father
Based on Luke 15:11-32

Scripture Background

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells three parables about being lost. This is one of them. In this parable, Jesus compares God's love to that of the father. The son, known as the prodigal son, represents sinners. The word prodigal means "wasteful with money." Just as the father in the parable rejoices when his son returns home, God rejoices when we ask for forgiveness and change our ways.

A man had two sons. The younger son said to his father, "Father, give me my share of our family's money." So the father divided his money between his two sons. The younger son left home. He went off and wasted all his money. He had no money to buy food.

The son became very hungry. The son was very sorry and decided to return home. The father saw the son walking toward their home. He ran to his son and held him in his arms. The sons said to his father, "Father, I am sorry." The father was very happy to have his son home again.

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"Father, I am sorry."
Based on Luke 15:21

Look for More in the Bible

Read all three parables Jesus tells about being lost.
Luke 15