The Parable of the Prodigal Son has such important lessons for us as Christians. By reflecting on the ways in which we have been like either son in the story or like the father, we can begin to understand the mystery of God’s mercy for us.
To help your students reflect on the story, invite them to perform a Prodigal Son play by acting out the story in class. You can invite them to make up their own version of the play or use the skit script below to guide the performance.
You can copy and paste the script into a separate word document or you can download a PDF of the script along with discussion questions about the parable here:
Download the Prodigal Son Skit Script >
Before your students perform the parable, read the Scripture passage together as a class (Luke 15:11-32). Share this video to help summarize the story and meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son:
Scene 1: A father and his two sons stand in the center of the stage while Jesus narrates the parable.
Jesus: A man had two sons and a large estate with many servants. The younger son wanted to have his inheritance early while his father was still alive.
Younger Son: Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.
Father: As you wish my son.
Older Son: Are you serious?
Jesus: So the father divided the property between them and the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country.
Scene 2: In the distant country a line of salespeople stand selling various consumable items such as food, drink, and clothing that look very appealing to the younger son.
Jesus: In the distant country, the younger son squandered his property and spent everything his father had given to him.
[The younger son hands money to each of the salespeople with excitement until he has no money left.]
Jesus: After he had spent everything, he hired himself out to a farmer.
[The younger son walks up to the farmer standing in another part of the room.]
Farmer: Hello there.
Younger Son: Do you have any work for me?
Farmer: Yes. I need someone to go out into my fields and tend to my pigs. You must feed them, but you may not eat any of their food.
Younger Son: Yes sir.
Jesus: The younger son fed the pigs, but realized how much his life had changed. He would have gladly filled himself with the food that he fed to the pigs.
Younger Son: How many of my father’s hired hands have food enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will go home and say to my father, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”
Jesus: So the younger son left the farm to head home to his father.
Scene 3: A father sits it sadness with some of his servants. The younger son stands at the edge of the stage slowly walking home.
Jesus: While the younger son was still far off, the father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran and put his arms around his son.
Father: Son, you are home!
Younger Son: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
Father: Servants! Quickly, bring out the best robe I have and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a fatted calf and prepare it for us to eat at a dinner celebration. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found!
Jesus: Then they began to celebrate his return.
Scene 4: The father, younger son, and servants are on one part of the stage celebrating while the older son returns home.
Jesus: Now the older son was in the field at work. As he approached the house he heard music and dancing. He called to one of his father’s servants.
Older Son: What is going on?
Main Servant: Your brother has returned and your father is throwing him a celebration because he has come back safe and sound.
Jesus: The older son became angry and refused to go into the celebration. The father came out to greet him.
Father: My son, your brother has returned. Come join in the feast!
Older Son: Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed you. Yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But this son of yours comes back after wasting all of your property and you kill a fatted calf for him!
Father: Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.
Enter your email address here and I will send you a formatted PDF with the script and a collection of post-performance discussion and reflection questions.
Download the Prodigal Son Skit Script >
Check out The Religion Teacher’s Parable Worksheet Pack, which includes thirty-four worksheets to help your students read, reflect, and pray with the parables of Jesus Christ.