STORY TELLING TIPS - Tell the story with a few "actions" along the way. Have the children hold up one finger on each hand when the story tells about a man having TWO sons. Put play money on the table when the son asks the father for his share of the inheritance. Have everyone show a "sad face" when the father was 'broken-hearted'. Take the money OFF the table when the story says it wasn't too long before the son's money was all wasted and gone!! Everyone SNORT when the son is feeding the pigs and to hold their noses and say pee-hew when the son is sloshing around in the mud with a bunch of SMELLY PIGS. Have the children turn their heads from side to side, when the son finally "looks around him and at his situation". Children will enjoy doing the actions once again while teacher is telling the story OR a CHILD can tell the story again and have other class mates doing the actions! They will NOT forget this story when they go home, after the actions and fun!

WELCOME HOME brown bag skit: Divide class into two teams: Have two identical brown bags filled with a ring, robe, sandals, bed tray (to set up as a table for the feast), little cloth for table cloth and a silk flower and vase for effect, and a few food items for the "feast" such as crackers, drink, candy packets, etc (and this will be used for the treat for the class as well). Have each team unpack the brown bag and put the "lesson together". They have now heard the story and will be able to understand the feast and such when the son had returned! Discussion about how the father must have felt... and how the son must have felt also (excited to be "home, sad to have hurt his father and lost all the money, surprised to be treated so well, etc).

SPENDING MONEY AUCTION: Give out pretend money (coins or bills). Teacher will have many very small objects that children can buy (Bible book stores have small items or very little items around the house). When the childrens' money is all gone, bring out a BIG item that no one has money for ... just to illustrate this son's running out of money, even for FOOD and discussion about the story!

I AM FOUND wall hanging. Print off the hymn, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS JESUS and "fancy cut" with scissors around the song. Highlight the words, "once I was lost, but now I am found", and have children decoupage the song sheets to a thin board or construction paper for a reminder of God's love and forgiveness and how he "found us." This activity will work well by brushing the picture with (Elmer's) white crafts glue and let dry for a shiny, clear look.

CELEBRATION POSTER - "Celebrate" in many colors, forms of writing, angles, etc, all over the poster (children love to get creative) After writing the main words in BLACK.... "once I was lost but now I am found... by JESUS....... or JESUS FOUND ME! Poster can be decorated then with squiggles, stars, dots, etc! Discussion about the celebration when the father found the son!

For younger children --- this poster can be printed with little dots ahead of class time for the younger one to just TRACE the "celebrate" letters! They can decorate the poster then with squiggles, stars, etc!

GROUP HUG (like the hug that father gave his son when he returned home) and letting children know that this is the kind of love that God has for His children. When one of God's children strays away, He always welcomes him home with open arms. God loves us even when we don't deserve it! PRAY together in closing!!