22 September | Kids
«Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.» Luke 15:10
Once, the Jewish leaders complained that Jesus hung out with sinners a lot, that He was eating with them. Then Jesus said: “But I came to the world for sinners! I love them, and I want to take them to Heaven!”
Jesus told them three stories.
The first was of the little sheep that had wandered away from the others. The shepherd left the flock in the sheep pen and went after the lost sheep until he found it. When he returned, he threw a party because he was so happy!
The second story was about a woman who had lost her coin. She removed the rugs from the house and swept every corner until she found it. She was so happy that she gathered her neighbors together to celebrate!
The third story was about a father and two sons. The youngest one wanted to leave home and asked his father for his inheritance. The father was sad, but the son left, spent all his money and, without food, went to work looking after pigs. Then he decided to go back to his father’s house. The father was so happy to have his son back that he threw a beautiful party!
In the same way that the shepherd of the lost sheep, the woman of the lost coin and the father whose son returned threw a joyous party, there is great joy in Heaven when a child of God decides to follow Him forever!
Let’s practice!
Which story did you like the most? Draw a picture of it.