While all this was happening, the elder son was working in the field. As he walked back to the house, he heard music and dancing. He asked one of the servants, “What is going on?”
The servant said, “Your younger brother has come home! Your father is so happy that he prepared a big meal to celebrate.”
The elder brother became very angry and refused to go inside. So his father came out and said, “Please come in and be happy with us.”
The elder son said, “All these years I have worked hard for you and obeyed you. But you never gave me even a small animal to celebrate with my friends. Now your other son has come home after wasting all your money, and you make a big feast for him!”
The father said, “My son, you are always with me, and everything I have belongs to you. But your brother was lost and has now been found. He was gone, but now he is home. That is why we must celebrate together.”
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Discussion questions.
- Why was the elder brother angry when he came home?
- Have you ever felt jealous when someone else was praised or celebrated? What did you do?
- The father reminded the elder son that his love and blessings were always there. What does this teach us about God’s love for everyone?