A Sensitive Father’s Day Sunday School Lesson Plan (with Prodigal Son Story)
- Eljoh Hartzer, MTh
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
"A father to the fatherless... is God in his holy dwelling" - Psalm 68:5
This free Father’s Day Sunday School Lesson is packed with a joyful activity, a fun story, a Bible memory verse, a creative response, and a worship song. Yet this is not your average Father's Day Lesson, because this lesson was intentionally crafted to take a more sensitive approach to Father's Day. The focus is on teaching kids the value and identity that they have in their Heavenly Father while also nurturing appreciation for earthly fathers.
You can print this article and use it as a lesson plan or curriculum for your Sunday School this Father’s Day.
Lesson Component | Time Needed | Materials Required |
Icebreaker: We Are Family | 5 Mins | Name tags, soft ball |
Bible Story: The Two Bears (Luke 15) | 10 Mins | None (Story script included) |
Memory Verse: Isaiah 64:8 | 5 Mins | Physical Bible |
Craft: Potter & Clay Activity | 15 Mins | Construction paper, markers |
May you find space here to pause, reflect, and abide.
A Sensitive Approach to Father's Day for the Fatherless, the Adopted, and Kids from Modern Families
“The most fundamental flaw in society is fatherlessness.”― Cassie Carstens
This Father’s Day Lesson was written with a broad audience in mind – as much as possible – but there is an elephant in the room. Every child will not experience the ‘Happy Father’s Day’ we have in mind.
Think of single moms or kids who do not have loving father figures…
Think of adopted children or kids who have two mothers...
I don’t know the kids in your children’s ministry, but as a Sunday school teacher, you get to know them. A good example is to do an information form a few weeks before something like Father’s Day comes up where you ask about family dynamics. (Or send it out as a link a few days before Father's Day this Sunday!)
Sunday school is still ministry - and we need to be sensitive. Even children who know their human fathers might carry wounds because of them.
Father’s Day might be an excellent time for you to teach kids the important lesson about forgiveness.
Or, equip them to pray for change in their own families.
If you are still unsure of how to go about it all, shift the focus to God being their Heavenly Father. That's what this lesson does! This Fathers Day Lesson focuses on God as Father, instead of on earthly fathers to bridge this divide described here. It's jam-packed with last-minute Father’s Day Kids Church ideas.
Without further ado - let's get into it!
Icebreaker for Father’s Day Lesson
Energy level: Medium
Teacher: Welcoming
Kids: Stand in a circle
Supplies: Name tags, A ball or soft toy (object to throw)
Instructions:
Have each kid introduce themselves to the group. This might take up time, but it tells them: You are valued. You are welcome. We want you here. Optional: After each kid says their name, the group responds: "You are God's child. You are valued." or something like that.
Lesson Focus:
We are family!
Sunday School teachers, try saying:
Welcome to kids’ church! I see you’ve all got name tags. Do you know the most important name tag of all? It is one that was placed on you even before you were born, and nobody can take it off. It says: You are a child of God. Let’s go around and each one of us will say our name.
Storytime in Sunday School
Energy level: Low
Teacher: Inspiring
Kids: Sit down and listen, facing teacher
Supplies: Nothing
Instructions:
For this Father’s Day Sunday School Lesson, we will use storytelling as a teaching tool. Stories are often associated with earthly fathers who read to their kids or tell jokes around the campfire. Use the story below to teach kids in your Sunday School class about the greatest dad ever (God).
Father’s Day Lesson Focus:
What is a good father? (Luke 15: The Prodigal Son)
Try saying:
(Full Script, Teacher can just read aloud and do actions added in brackets)
Once upon a time there was a big bear. His name was Jolly because, well, he was always jolly. The bear loved his life. He spent his days sleeping on big rocks in the sun, fishing for dinner, and gazing at the stars at night. Jolly had a deep-seated joy in his heart that never went away. (touch heart)
One morning when Jolly the bear woke up (yawn), this joy was gone! (gasp) In its place was another feeling: Jolly the bear felt lonely for the first time ever. He went about his day and did all the things that usually made him happy, but none of it was working…
So, the bear knew he needed to find a family. He went on a long journey over high mountaintops (point up) and into deep valleys (point down) to find his one true love. When he found Holly, he was really happy. They had a son together and called him Wolly.
One day, Wolly the young boy bear came to his dad and said: (hands on hips) “I want to go on an adventure. I’m leaving! The mountains call my name. I want to see what other kids of fish there are. I am bored and I want to leave.” Jolly the bear could not believe his ears. His shoulders drooped low. But he let his son go, because he loved him.
It did not take long for Wolly the young bear to realize life alone is not easy. He felt lonely for the first time ever. Wolly tried to eat LOTS of fish to make the feeling to away, but it was not working… (rub tummy)
The Prodigal Son returns to his Father
As he gazed up at the twinkling stars above the wilderness (look up), he thought about his mom and dad and how much they loved him. So, he knew he needed to find a way back to his family.
Wolly the young bear was crushed. His dream failed. He felt ashamed and like he would get in trouble… (sad face) But when he came close to his home, his dad saw him from a distance. “Uh-oh,” Wolly said as he saw his dad running toward him.
But Jolly the dad bear wrapped his son in a big hug and said: “Welcome home, my child. You are my joy! Nothing that you do can ever change that. You are always welcome back here with me.”
Questions for Sunday School Kids:
If you and I are like Wolly the young bear, who do you think is like Jolly the dad bear?
If you don't have a dad at home, think of a grandfather, an uncle, or a leader who protects and cares for you like Jolly the bear did.
What about God? Isn't Jolly like God as well?
What does God do when we walk away from Him?
Do we need to be afraid to come back to God?
Is God a good father?
Are you part of God's family?
Bible memory verse for Father’s Day
Energy level: Medium – High
Teacher: Fun
Kids: Stand up, facing teacher
Supplies: A Bible (yes, the book!)
Bible Passage Chosen for Father's Day Memory Verse:
"Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand." - Isaiah 6:8
Instructions:
Isaiah
(Show a letter ‘I’ with your hands)
64
(Show a 6 and then a 4 with your fingers)
verse 8
(Show an 8 with your fingers)
Lord, you are our Father;
(Point arms up and look up to God)
we are the clay,
(Cup your hands as if you are holding clay)
and you are our potter;
(Move your hands as if you are shaping the clay)
we are all the work of your hand.
(Clap your hands on every word!)
Lesson Focus:
Teaching kids about the Bible at church helps them grow in their confidence to read it when they’re older.
Now that we understand the story about Fathers, let’s memorize a Bible verse. We’re going to do this a few times until we get it just right! Do you know how much God loves you? The love of God is so great that He calls you His children. This is good news!
Art and Crafts for Father’s Day Sunday School Lesson
Energy level: Medium – Low
Teacher: Encouraging
Kids: Sit at tables or on the floor
Supplies: 1. Construction paper + drawing supplies / 2. Air dry clay
1 - MAKING FATHER'S DAY CARDS
Instructions:
Typical (See special families idea below): Kids are going to make a simple letter for their fathers. Encourage the children that there is no “specific way” or “right thing” here. They can make something that is true to themselves. Older kids can be encouraged to make something with its future use in mind… This will go on:
Dad’s desk
The fridge
Dad’s bedside table
Challenge the older kids to design a card that can stand by itself, has a popup element, or that has a hidden message.
Lesson Focus:
We can bless our dads with words of love.
Try saying:
Now that we understand God as the perfect Father, we can appreciate our earthly dads so much more. Let’s make a card where we tell them how much we love them this Father’s Day.
Special families / Sensitive Family Dynamics:
Kids are going to make a letter to God as their father. They get to thank Him for being there for them whenever they feel alone, different, or like they don't fit in.
They can also make a card to Mom / Guardian saying: "Thank you for introducing me to my Heavenly Father!" <3
OR
2 - MAKING FATHER'S DAY CLAY POTS
Instructions:
Kids are going to make a simple air dry clay pot. Encourage them to repeat today's Bible memory verse about God as potter while they make the pot, remembering Him as Father (as the verse says).
Let them each shape a lump of clay into a pot or bowl (using water and their hands)
Mark each kid's creation with a number or by carving their name in the bottom
Place it in a safe, sunny spot to dry during the week
Spend some time next week decorating / painting the pots
Lesson Focus:
We are like clay in the Father's hands. He is a careful and skilled potter who can make something beautiful, even when we only see a lump of clay!
Try saying:
Now that we understand God as the potter, let's make it practical by getting our hands dirty!
Sensitive Worship song for Father’s Day - for children without earthly fathers
Energy level: Low – Medium
Teacher: Loving
Kids: Lay down on the floor
Supplies: A speaker or phone & access to the internet
Instructions:
Play the Good Good Father worship song linked above as soaking worship music over the kids. This is a lyric video showcasing a kids version of the song, so it's directly applicable to your Sunday School group this Father's Day.
Lesson Focus:
We can dwell on the idea that our identity is found in who God is.
Try saying:
You guys have listened so well, now, let’s listen to what this song says about God. Stand up and stretch a bit. Then, find a spot to lay down on the floor. Listen to this song and talk to God about what you hear. When we’re done, we’re going to dance until it’s time for you to go home – Are you ready??
Q&A Section
Q: What if kids get sad during the lesson time?
A: Father's Day can be triggering for some kids. It's okay, just be there with them, allow them to feel the emotion, and then help them give it to God. Remind them that He is their heavenly Father, who's always with them.
Q: What if kids open up and share something worrying?
A: On a day like Father's Day, some kids might open up and share a concerning detail about their dad-story. It's important to always keep kids' safety in mind first of all. Talk to their parent, a guardian, or your church's pastor about next steps.
Have another question? Comment it below and I'll get back to you ASAP. :)
If you’ve come to the end of this post, your Sunday school class is in good hands. May God’s Holy Spirit inspire you to teach with love, grace, and peace!
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