Saints LightWhat Stories Did Jesus Tell?
Jesus told stories to show that we should help anyone in need, and that God always welcomes us back with joy when we are sorry.
Jesus loved to teach with stories called parables. A parable is a short story about everyday things, like sheep, seeds or a lost coin, that teaches something big about God (CCC 546).
One day a man asked Jesus: who is my neighbor? Jesus told a story. A traveler was robbed, hurt and left by the road. A priest walked past. A temple helper walked past. Then a Samaritan came by. Samaritans and Jews usually did not get along, but this man stopped, bandaged the traveler, took him to an inn and paid for his care. Jesus said: Go and do likewise. Our neighbor is anyone who needs our help (CCC 1825).
Jesus told another story about a father with two sons. The younger son asked for his share of the family money, left home and wasted it all. Soon he was hungry and alone, feeding pigs. He decided to go home and say sorry.
While the son was still far away, his father saw him, ran to him, hugged him and kissed him. He gave him a robe and a ring and threw a party! That father is like God. No matter how far we wander, God watches for us and runs to welcome us home when we are sorry (CCC 1439).
The older brother was upset that his father forgave so quickly. Jesus wants us to be glad when others are forgiven, not jealous. These two stories show us how God loves, and how He wants us to love.
Key points
- Parables are stories Jesus told to teach about God.
- My neighbor is anyone who needs help.
- God runs to welcome us when we are sorry.
The Word of God
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
Go and do likewise.
But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Catechism paragraphs for this lesson
- CCC 546
- CCC 1439
- CCC 1465
- CCC 1825
CCC means the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Saints Light teaches it in its own words and never quotes it. Look up any paragraph in a printed copy or at vatican.va. See every lesson by paragraph in the Catechism index.
Live it this week
Be a Good Samaritan this week: look for someone who is left out, hurt or struggling at school or at home, and help them. Tell your family about it at dinner.
Check yourself: three questions
1. What is a parable?
- A kind of prayer
- A short story Jesus told to teach about God
- A song from the Bible
- A rule for the Temple
Show the answer
A short story Jesus told to teach about God. Parables are everyday stories that teach something big about God.
2. Who is my neighbor, according to Jesus?
- Only people on my street
- Only my friends
- Only people who are nice to me
- Anyone who needs my help
Show the answer
Anyone who needs my help. The Samaritan helped a stranger, and Jesus said: Go and do likewise.
3. What did the father do when his son came home?
- Ran to hug him and threw a party
- Locked the door
- Made him sleep outside
- Told him to come back later
Show the answer
Ran to hug him and threw a party. The father ran to welcome his son, just as God welcomes us when we are sorry.
For catechists: a one hour class plan
Goal. The children will know the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, and will want to help others and to come back to God when they do wrong.
Opener. Ask: "Have you ever seen someone get hurt on the playground? What did people do?" Then: "Jesus told a story about that."
Discussion questions
- Why do you think the first two men walked past? [Busy, afraid, did not want to get involved. We sometimes feel that way too.]
- Who is someone at school who might need a Good Samaritan? [Someone alone, new, sad or teased. No names needed.]
- How do you think the younger son felt walking home? [Ashamed and nervous. Then surprised by joy.]
- Why was the older brother upset, and what would you tell him? [He thought it was unfair. God's mercy is a gift, not a prize we earn.]
Activity. Act out both parables in small groups with simple props (a bandage, a robe, a toy ring). Then make Good Samaritan kits from envelopes: inside, children place small cards with ways to help (share my snack, sit with someone alone, say a kind word, help pick up dropped things) to use during the week.
Closing prayer. Jesus, thank You for Your stories. Give us eyes to see people who need help and hearts brave enough to stop. And when we wander away, help us run back to You. Amen.
Timing. Welcome and Sign of the Cross 5 min, playground opener 5 min, read the lesson aloud 10 min, discussion 10 min, parable skits and kits 15 min, memory verse 5 min, quiz together 5 min, closing prayer 5 min.
Related lessons
- Coming Home: What If I Have Been Away for Years? (Becoming Catholic, free)
- Faith, Hope and Charity (Grace and Virtue)
- Why Confess to a Priest? (Hard Questions)
Keep your place in the app
Jesus Loves Me: A Catechism for Children is free in the Saints Light app too, where you can mark each lesson done, take it as a guided class and keep notes.
Every course is open free for your first 14 days. After that, one payment of $14.99 unlocks every course. There is no subscription.