THIS MONTH’S BIBLICAL THEME IS: Jesus loves.
Throughout our stories this month, the love of Jesus shines bright. Jesus’ unconditional love reaches beyond all boundaries. Jesus knew the suffering ahead, yet His love compelled Him to move forward for our sake. Even in the pain of betrayal, Jesus remained faithful—His love never wavered. Through every act, Jesus showed us a love that is constant, sacrificial, and beyond measure.
THIS MONTH’S UNIT TITLE IS: The Great Love Race
Jesus races after us with relentless, unstoppable love. His love is not passive. It pursues, chases and overcomes every obstacle to reach our hearts. From the dusty roads of Galilee to the cross at Calvary, Jesus showed that love moves—it takes action, endures pain and never quits. Jesus ran the race all the way to the end for us.
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24)
Jesus told a parable about a father and his two sons. The younger son asked for his inheritance early, left home and wasted all his money. When he was hungry and poor, he decided to return to his father and ask for forgiveness. The father saw him from a distance, ran to him and welcomed him back with love and celebration.
This parable is a beautiful picture of Jesus’ love for us. We, like the younger son, tend to do things our own way. We walk away from God and His ways, thinking our way is best or more fun. When we choose our way instead of God’s way, that is sin. Sin separates us from God. But like the father in the story, God is patiently and lovingly waiting for us to change our minds, turn away from our sin and return to him. This is called repentance, or turning away from sin and turning back to Him. He never gives up on us. He loves us, even when we are far from Him, and because Jesus took the punishment for our sin, He welcomes us home again.
