Introduction: If you remember from Lesson 1, Jesus told us a story about the loving stranger that showed us how we should love and care for others. Today, he is going to tell us another story. This time the story is about a father and his two very different sons and forgiveness. We know that forgiveness means saying we are sorry. And just like we want to be forgiven when we do something wrong it is also very important for us to forgive others who have hurt us. Jesus makes it very clear in the story you are about to read that God welcomes sinners who come back and seek forgiveness. So now go to the first page of your "Together in Jesus" lesson 4 and read the story on page 1 and 2. See if your parents or brothers and sisters can help you with reading the various parts. Once you are done reading please answer the questions below. DON'T FORGET AS YOU READ TO ADD YOUR STICKERS IN THE PLACES THAT ARE INDICATED!

Great job!! In this story the younger son breaks his relationship with his father. Only after wasting his inheritance and winding up without friends or food does he recognize how good he had it as a son in his father's household. The father's generous welcome and forgiveness expresses the limitless mercy of God. Jesus' parable makes it clear that God welcomes sinners who come back and seek forgiveness.