Fatherhood

One of the most compelling and comprehensive Bible stories about true Fatherhood is commonly called "The Prodigal Son." In this thought-boggling story, a father expresses such unconditional and eternal love for his two wayward sons — one who leaves home only to lose everything of value, the other who stays home only to lose everything of value: their perspective, vision, and purpose as sons of God. With each reading of this story, we are reminded that the source of this love is — can only be — God. Fathering demands the strength of Samson, the courage of David, the persistence of Jacob, the tenderness of Joseph…in effect, the unchanging love of God to inspire, guide, guard, and govern each and every father in his "parenting" journey.

Kids and Sunday School Resources

Projects and Activities

Fathers in the Bible - Review information about different father figures in the Bible
Write a Letter to Dad - Encourage students to write a letter about a special experience they shared with their Dad

Fun and Games

Break the Code - Hidden Message - Young kids uncover the message of God's love for you
Dads and Sons (Young Children) - Match the dads with their sons
Father's Maze - Help the fathers and their kids get to the middle of the maze
Match Fathers and Sons from the Old Testament - Match fathers and sons
Match the Dads and Sons (older children) - Match fathers and sons from the Bible
Match the Dads and Sons (younger children) - Match fathers and sons from the Bible
Match the Parents and Children - Match old testament parents with their children
The Parable of the Two Sons - Use the dial to decipher Jesus message in the parable of prodigal son and older brother
Who is Your True Father? - Find the hidden letters to discover your true father

Read a Story

The Prodigal Son
Read Luke 15:11-32

A Boy Comes Home (younger children)
The Story of the Lost Son (younger children)
Prodigal (older children/teens)
Discussion Questions

Jesus loved Children
Read Matt 18:1-6; Matt 19:13-15

Jesus and the Children (younger children)
Discussion Questions

Listen to a Story

The Prodigal Son - (told by five-year-old Jacob)

Adult and Teen Resources

Guests — Everyday Living

Helen Ostenberg Elswit (Part 2) – Independent Visual Effects Producer - Visual Effects Producer Helen Elswit, shares how prayer and gratitude helped her deal with the death of her father, fulfill her needs, understand self-worth, and remove societal and educational pressures and limitations.

Healing Messages — Everyday Living

The Prodigal Son - A Girl's Favorite Story - Here are some insights about the biblical story of the prodigal son.

Parenting — Everyday Living

Father's Day - The more we come to know God as our one, consistent and everlasting Father, the more we will see and feel all the good and wonderful fathering qualities in our lives.
A Fathers' Day Story about Two Sons - The story of the Prodigal Son sheds light on fatherhood as much as on the role of two very different children. It relates to all of us, parents and children, because God is our ultimate Parent.
Lovingly Parenting Anyone Who Needs It - Trusting God, our primary parent, who simply, purely, wholly loves every single one of His children, we are able to help any child of God in times of great need.
Moved by Love, Not Anger - Ever gotten angry about your child pushing boundaries? You're not alone. But there's a better way.
Parenting and Spiritual Poise - Spiritual poise helps us realize that God is the true Father and Mother of our children and ourselves which assists us in responding to each situation with love.

Identity — Teen Time

We Can Trust Our Father - Have we been tempted to give up on God? God doesn't give up on us.