Story Probe
The Prodigal Son
Luke 15: 11-32
Questions
Who are the main characters?
What events happened in the parable
(summary)?
Are there any repeated words or phrases?
What is the setting of the story?
What is happening at the time?
What are the main symbols or images in
the story?
What do they symbolise?
Response
Father
2 sons (one younger, one older)
Slave
Pig Farm Owner
1 Younger son asked Father for his share of
property
2 Younger son left and spent all money on
unnecessary items – became poor
3 Famine hit the town, son was starving
4 Found employment at pig sty
5 Thought about home life – decided to
journey back home to Father
6 Son apologised to Father
7 Father accepted apology and called for
celebration
8 Older son was jealous and very angry at
what the Father had done
9 Father explained to older son
10 Everyone celebrated the younger son’s
return
“no longer worthy to be called your son”
“I have sinned against Heaven and you”
“he was lost, but now is found”
“he was dead, but now is alive”
At the father’s house (farmland)
Splitting up land, working the land,
forgiving the son, celebrating his return
Faraway country and pig sty
Spends his money irresponsibly, becomes
poor, becomes hungry, contemplates life,
decides to head back home
Eating pig food: poverty, hunger, poor,
struggle
Robe/ring/sandals: wealth, welcoming,
forgiveness, love for son
Fat calf: wealth, celebration, welcoming
Big meal/feast: celebration, love for son,
relief that son is home, happiness
 Dead/Lost: making bad choices, on the
wrong track, turned away from God
Alive/Found: making the right choice,
asking for forgiveness, on the right track,
accepted God back into his life

What are your thoughts and feelings as you

read the story?
What mind pictures do you get when you
read the story?
What is the message/moral of the story?
What are the key words you like in the
story?