Free printable Bible coloring page

The Distant Country

Luke 15:11-32

The Big Idea

Leaving home begins the younger son’s difficult journey. The story later shows that returning and being welcomed are possible.

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The Bible Story

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

In Luke 15:11–32, Jesus tells a parable about a father and his two sons. The younger son asks for his share of the father’s property, and the father divides it between the sons. After a few days, the younger son gathers everything and travels to a distant country. There he wastes his property in reckless living. The passage does not explain why he leaves, name the destination, or describe particular reckless activities. Later, after becoming needy during a famine, he decides to return. His father welcomes him with compassion and celebration. The older son struggles with this welcome, and the father explains that rejoicing is right because his lost brother has returned. This scene comes before the younger son’s later return and the father’s welcome.

Bible moment

The Bible moment

In Luke 15:11–32, Jesus tells a parable about a father and his two sons. The younger son asks for his share of the father’s property, and the father divides it between the sons. After a few days, the younger son gathers everything and travels to a distant country. There he wastes his property in reckless living. The passage does not explain why he leaves, name the destination, or describe particular reckless activities. Later, after becoming needy during a famine, he decides to return. His father welcomes him with compassion and celebration. The older son struggles with this welcome, and the father explains that rejoicing is right because his lost brother has returned. This scene comes before the younger son’s later return and the father’s welcome.

Look closely

What children can notice

The younger son gathers his property and travels away from home toward a distant country, leaving the familiar family property behind.

Talk together

Talk about it

  • What do you notice about the younger son’s journey?
  • Why is it important not to add details the story does not tell us?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page to introduce Luke 15:13 before discussing the younger son’s later need, return, and welcome. Invite children to compare the familiar family property with the distant path. Keep conversation focused on the text, and avoid guessing the son’s motives or adding imagined activities, companions, or destinations.

Source note

From this passage

Luke 15:13 · The Lost Son

The younger son gathers his property and travels away from home toward a distant country, leaving the familiar family property behind.

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