大象传媒

Forgiveness: The Prodigal Son

In short...

Themes: Global Forgiveness Day; forgiving; saying sorry; the parables of Jesus; Christianity.

Summary: This assembly, which is suitable for an act of collective worship, focuses on a parable that Jesus told which is found in the Bible and is popularly known as The Prodigal Son. Its focus is the value of forgiveness - expressed in the story by the father's forgiveness for his son. The story is ideal to link to Global Forgiveness Day - every 7 July. Our adaptation of the story imagines the family describing their experiences after the events have happened.

Resources: The to download / print (pdf); an image to display of the word ; a to download / print.

The video

The parable of the Prodigal Son

The story is an adaptation of one of the parables that Jesus told. It is found in the New Testament in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 15.

A father and his two sons describe their recent experiences, as if being interviewed by a reporter or TV anchor. One day the younger of the two sons demands his inheritance of his father early, so that he can leave home and enjoy a new life in the city. The father agrees - saying he thought the son might use the money responsibly. However, the younger son wastes the money on new clothes and having a good time - much to the annoyance of the elder brother. When his money runs out the younger son is forced to find work looking after pigs and finally, exhausted and hungry, he realises he should return home and seek forgiveness. The father is overjoyed at the return of his prodigal son.

Duration: 3' 39"

Final words: '鈥e was lost, but now is found.'

Video questions

  • What is an inheritance? (Often money, and usually received after someone has died)
  • Why does the father say he agreed to give the money? (He says he thought his son could do good things with it and spend it responsibly)
  • How in fact does the son spend the money? (Buying new clothes and 'having a good time')
  • What job does the son get? (Looking after pigs)
  • Why does the son return home? (He says it is because he had learned the value of family鈥ut his older brother says it is because he was tired and hungry)

Key links

Download / print the assembly framework ready for use

Assembly framework (pdf)

Click to display image full size

The word 'Forgiveness'

Download / print a transcript of The Prodigal Son

Transcript - The Prodigal Son

Suggested assembly framework

1. Entry
Have the webpage open and play your chosen music. An internet search on 'songs about forgiveness' will yield many possibilities.

2. Introduction
Let the assembly know that today they'll be thinking about something that is very simple, but is often hard to do - saying sorry and offering forgiveness. (You could link the theme to Global Forgiveness Day on 7 July if the assembly is at that time of year.) Ask pupils if anyone would like to share an occasion when they forgave someone, or someone forgave them. Depending on the details, you could probe further by asking whether it was easy to do and how it made the individual feel. Let pupils know that they're going to watch a short video - an adaptation of a well-known story from the Bible - in which forgiveness is the key theme.

3. The video
Play the video. The duration is 3' 39" and the final words are: '鈥as lost, but now is found.'

4. After the video - Time to talk
Ask everyone to turn to the person beside them and say two things they remember from the video. (If you prefer you could ask the Video questions from the web page).

Then lead a discussion about forgiveness by asking:

  • This story is about forgiveness. The father found it easy to forgive his son. Are there times when it is more difficult to forgive other people?
  • Do you think the father was right to forgive his son?
  • Do you think the older son should also forgive his younger brother?
  • Why do you think forgiveness is important?
  • What happens if we refuse to forgive?

5. Opportunity to sing
If your assembly is to include a song this would be a good time for it. Suggestions from 大象传媒 collections below.

6. Opportunity for reflection
Focus the reflection on the exploration of forgiveness:
Let's take a moment to think about the amazing forgiveness in the story of 'The Prodigal Son'鈥
When people agree to forgive they agree to make a fresh start鈥
Think about how the son felt when he was forgiven by his father鈥
And how he might have treated other people after he had been forgiven鈥 and given the chance to make a fresh start鈥
Think about times when you have forgiven鈥 and about why it felt the right choice to make鈥

7. Opportunity for prayer
Begin with your usual form of address (鈥楧ear God鈥, 鈥楲et us pray鈥, etc) and:
Thank you for stories like the parable of 'The Prodigal Son' that help us to think about forgiveness.
Help us to be kind to others and to value forgiveness.
Thank you for the opportunities when we are able to make a fresh start.
Amen.

Suggested songs

Song: 'We will grow' (All about our school, no 10)

Song: 'While we live we learn' (All about our school, no 3. Vocal version)

Song: 'Got a bit better' (All about our school, no 11)

See also鈥

Treasure Champs: The Prodigal Son - our version of this story for a younger audience, from the Treasure Champs series.