Rotation.org Writing Team

Parable of the Prodigal Son

"Breaking News" Drama Workshop

Summary of Activities

Students will prepare and dramatize a "Breaking News" newscast: "The Prodigal Son Returns Home to Protests." The newscast format is familiar, fun, and only requires the newscaster and reporter to use a script. As part of the lesson study and reflection, the students will create protest signs and cue cards in preparation for their "interviews."

Scripture for the Lesson

Luke 15:11-32 (NIV)

Memory Verse:
"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." Luke 15:32 (NIV)

Lesson Objectives

See the Bible Background at Rotation.org for insights on this story and this set's complete list of objectives.

Preparation and Materials

• Read the Bible Background and Luke 15:11-32 (you might want to include verses 1-10 in your study).
• Print the Breaking News Script and make copies for the teacher, newscaster, and reporter. This script is also found in the post below this one at Rotation.org.
• Recruit an adult or responsible teen and their video camera or cellphone to act as the "cameraperson" for the newscast. Remind them to bring their powercord and cables to connect their device to a large screen for playback.
• A tripod for the video camera or cellphone is highly recommended (and a typical part of the Drama Workshop's kit).
• See the script for details about these prop/costume/scenery  items: a table for the newscaster, 2 fake microphones, various costumes, party hats.
• Posterboard for "protest signs."  Each sign can be approximately 1' x 2'. Stiff 11x17 cardstock works, too.
• Large piece of posterboard or bulletin board paper for the closing protest poster and prayer activity.
• A dozen paint stir sticks (free at your local paint store).
• Masking tape to attach signs to sticks.
• Markers to write in large letters on the posterboard protest signs. "Jumbo" markers will make the lettering more visible on the video.
• A large screen or TV to play back the recording from the video camera. Double-check and test that you have the right cable to connect the cameraperson's device to the screen. See this article if you need help.

Lesson Plan

Opening

Welcome students and explain what they'll be doing and learning about today.

Ask them to tell you as much as they can about the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Ask: Do you think it was fair for the father to forgive all his son's sins and welcome him home?

As part of your response to their answers, emphasize how surprising the father's response was to people whom Jesus was teaching who thought they needed to "earn" God's forgiveness and a place in his family.  It's another example of how radical Jesus' message of mercy and inclusion was then, and still is today.

Presentation Tip: Consider writing your welcome and opening questions on a "protest sign" like students will soon be making, and show them your sign rather than saying it out loud.

Read the Story

The  Breaking News performance tells the story; the signs dig into the meaning of the story; and the playback reinforces its memory and meaning. Thus, this Bible reading section of the lesson plan simply introduces the story without any discussion.

Say: Let's see how much of the story you remembered!  Please turn to the Gospel of Luke chapter 15 in your Bible and raise your hand when you've found the Parable of the Prodigal Son (v 11).

Invite a student to start reading aloud, then randomly choose another volunteer reader after a few verses. (Choosing randomly makes everyone follow more closely in case they are chosen next.)

Prepare the Signs

Helping students prepare the "cue cards" and protest signs for the newscast is a major discussion and teaching opportunity. The cards and signs function as prompts for the actors so they'll know what to say. The father's counter-protest signs and his chant function as the summary and life application.

You and the students will make three sets of cue cards/protest signs for the newscast. As you work, remember that every cue card comment and sign is an opportunity for you to comment!  (For example: Do you agree with that complaint? Why do some people think this way?)

Scene 2: Family and Friends Gathered "Cue Cards"

Write single sentences or phrases on individual cue cards to be taped to a chair off-camera so the actors can remember what to say when being interviewed about their thoughts about the son going off and squandering his inheritance. Think exclusion, "you're unwanted anyway," condemnation.

Ideas for friends and family members' comments on cue cards:

• I say good riddance to that sinner. We don’t need his kind around here!
• My brother is a jerk and I never want to see him again. He had his chance and blew it.
• I heard he had to take a job feeding the pigs. Got what he deserved, I say.
• I blame the schools and the internet.
• Horrible kid disrespecting his father like that, he better not show his face around here ever again.
• I blame his parents, they were wrong to give him the money and let him go spend it wildly.
• I kind of miss him.
• I hope he’s okay, but I really don’t think he should be part of the family anymore, you know what I mean?

Digging deeper as you work on the signs: I wonder why some of the younger son's friends and family turned against him? How do people treat you when you make a bad choice?

Scene 6a: Protest at the Party

Older son, friends, and others are protesting the father's decision to welcome the prodigal and throw a party for him. Think indignation, "make him pay," and "you're too soft."

Possible signs:

• Sinned too much
• His dad is soft
• Forgiveness is out of control!
• My Dad Has Lost His Mind
• Punishment, not Party for Sinners!

Digging deeper: Is it fair? No, it's Jesus.

Scene 6b: The Father's Counter-Protest Signs

The father comes out of the party with his own signs protesting their lack of mercy. He also chants a protest phrase that many take up, “Spread God’s Love, Join the Party!”  This can be on a sign, too.

Possible signs for the father:

• You’re already my children, what are you complaining about?
• Doesn’t everyone deserve to be forgiven?
• The heart of God’s Law is mercy!
• He was lost, now he’s found, let’s celebrate. (Be sure to include this sign as it comes from Luke 15.)

Digging deeper: What "party" is the father's chant and the parable referring to?  It suggests that faithful and merciful living brings joy not only to the forgiven, but to God.

Perform and Record the "Breaking News" Script

See the script for setup, recording tips, and dialog.

Playback the Recording

Connect your video camera to the screen and gather around to view the Parable Network Breaking News broadcast!

Closing Protest Poster and Prayer Activity

Pull out a large sheet of posterboard and invite students to gather around it and write or draw on it one of the messages Jesus teaches us through the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Write them in the format of a "protest" or pithy saying. For example,  "Mercy, not Hate," "Forgiveness, not Exclusion," "Everybody Needs Mercy," "Nobody Left Out of God's Family."

Pray the words and phrases from the poster, beginning each phrase with the words "Thank you Jesus that..." or something similar.

Adaptations

For younger students:

Prepare a few signs in advance. Have them draw facial expressions to go with the protest words. Have a protest leader start a chant against what's happening.

For older students:

Allow them to get creative with the script and staging. For example, one of the party protestors could jump into the scene while the reporter is talking. ("Hi Mom!")

For those with more class time:

Spend more time on the closing poster activity. Consider letting students make individual "Protest Prayer" signs to make a display.

For at-home use or a shorter/simpler lesson plan:

At home, you can dress up a bit more and record each scene separately, then edit them together in your favorite video editing app.

For a shorter or simpler lesson, jump right into reading the parable and reduce or eliminate the opening and the closing posterboard activity.

Written by Neil MacQueen and the Rotation.org Writing Team
Copyright Rotation.org Inc.