The Prodigal Son Margaret Frost BIBLE TEXT: The story is taken from John 6:14-21. Teachers should read the story first to review what they are teaching. Simplified story text is associated with each chart for the teacher to read as they show the material. JOHN 6:14-21: “14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. 16 When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water ; and they were terrified. 20 But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid." 21 Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.” (NIV) STORY TO TELL: Today we are learning the story about Jesus walking on the water. Margaret Frost

Jesus told this parable. There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. Now the boat with the apostles in it was out in the middle of the lake and Jesus saw that the apostles were really having a hard time rowing the boat because the wind was against them. On toward morning while it was still dark, Jesus went walking across the water toward the apostles. He intended to walk on past them but they saw Him and thought He was a ghost. They cried out in fear. Jesus called to the men, “Don’t be afraid. It’s just me.” 1

Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and spent all his money having fun. When Peter realized it was Jesus and saw what He was doing, he thought, “I ‘d like to do that too.” So he called Jesus, “Lord if it’s really you, let me com to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” Then Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. Everything was going fine as long as peter kept his eyes on Jesus. But when he began to notice the wind, he became afraid. 2

After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he could not buy food to eat. A farmer gave him a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry that he thought about eating the pig’s food. Peter began to sink. “Help, I’m drowning,” he screamed. Jesus reached out to him and took his hand and said, “Peter, why do you have such little faith? Why do you doubt?” (Application may be made here that as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus and His power, we can walk over our own problems. But when we begin to focus our attention on our problems and our own power to solve them, we begin sinking in our problems.) 3

He thought to himself, 'How many of my father's servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your servants.” So he set off for home. And Jesus and Peter got back into the boat and the apostles fell down and worshipped Jesus. “Truly, you are the Son of God,” they said. 4

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with love for him. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” And Jesus and Peter got back into the boat and the apostles fell down and worshipped Jesus. “Truly, you are the Son of God,” they said. 5

But the father said to his servants, 'Quick But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was lost and now is found.' So they began to celebrate. And Jesus and Peter got back into the boat and the apostles fell down and worshipped Jesus. “Truly, you are the Son of God,” they said. Play again 5