All Age Service Talk: The Father of the Prodigal Sons and the Three Types of Board Game Players

Psalm 1                      Luke 15:1-32

Talk: The Father of the Prodigal Sons and the Three Types of Board Game Players

Who here likes playing board games? 

Now, with board games there are always three types of players…and likewise, in life, there are also always three types of people.

1. The Loving Player

The first player wants everyone to enjoy their time together as one happy group. For them, the main objective is joyful connection with their family or their friends. Winning or losing isn’t the point. They play for the fellowship.

This player is like the Father in the parable. When the younger son squanders everything and returns home, the Father’s concern isn’t about rules, regulations, or revenge, but rather about restoration, reconciliation, and celebration. 

His joy lies in being reunited with his child. Like the Loving Player, the Father shows us that the greatest prize is not strict adherence to ritual or systems, but love and relationship.

2. The Rule-Breaker to Win

Next, we have the one who plays to win—at any cost. They bend or break the rules, focusing only on their gain, even if it ruins the game for others. This is the younger son. He walked away from his family, taking his inheritance and wasting it. In life, he “broke the rules,” living recklessly for personal pleasure. 

He was like the man who walked in the counsel of the wicked, stood in the way of sinners, and who sat in the seat of scoffers. In Jesus’ day, these were the people the religious leaders called ‘sinners’ (Luke 15:1). 

In our parable, when the younger son realised his error and was sorry for it, his Father welcomed him back without hesitation or condemnation. Just like Jesus welcomed and had meals with ‘sinners’.

The Father didn’t shame the younger son for “breaking the rules”; instead, He prioritized grace over judgment. This should remind us that even when we fail or go astray, God’s love is waiting to restore us when we return to Him.

3. The Rule-Enforcer

Finally, there’s the player who won’t participate unless every rule – at least as they understand the rules – is strictly followed. 

For them, correctness is everything. But their rigidity can sometimes steal the joy of the game. These are the players that say, “It’s my way or no way!” “Either you play by my rules, or I’m not playing…I’m leaving!”

This is the older brother in the parable. These were the religious rulers of Jesus’ day. Just like the older brother they could not  celebrate the younger brother’s return because it felt unfair. This is the person who thinks, “I’ve played by the rules, and I am right and they are wrong.” 

The older brother’s attitude reflects how easy it is to value rules over relationships. But the Father still gently invited him to join the supper. The Father shows us that mercy, love, and kindness…not strict adherence to rules or the interpretation of rules…is what creates a truly joyful “game” of life.

In this story, the Father is the ultimate board game host. He knows the rules but values connection over competition. He loves his children equally—whether they’re the fun-loving, rule-breaking, or rule-enforcing type. He invites everyone to the table, reminding us that life isn’t about “winning” but about being together.

Whether we’ve wandered off like the younger son, rigidly followed the rules like the older son, or been somewhere in between, God’s love and mercy is there for us all. He invites us to embrace his joy and extend it to others, creating a community built on grace, not just regulations. 

So, let’s approach life not as a competition but as an opportunity to reflect God’s love and build meaningful relationships.