Children can learn about forgiveness based on what Jesus said in the Bible. By using object lessons, activities, and discussion questions, children can learn about God’s great love and forgiveness for us and how He can help us forgive others as well.
Object lesson: Bouncy Balls
Bring several super bouncy balls to class. Let the children play with them and bounce them up and down for a few minutes. Then explain how the balls will always fall down to the ground and that everything by its nature always falls down. Explain that this is called the law of gravity.
Explain to the children that the same way the balls always fall down, our sinful human nature makes us fall down again and again. That means there will be times when we hurt others as well as times when they hurt us.
Whenever the balls bounce up, they’re going against the law of gravity. When we forgive others, our spirits bounce up to God, just like the balls. It’s not easy to forgive. In fact, it’s much easier to hold a grudge or think bad thoughts about someone. But God wants to give us HIs power to forgive others, so we can be bouncy balls full of His love.
Teach children the Bible verse:
“Be ye kind, one to another, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32).
Read the verse from a large print children’s Bible and then write it on the board with chalk or a whiteboard marker.
In the Bible, Jesus often tells us to forgive others. This verse tells us that being forgiving is actually being kind. In fact, we’re supposed to forgive others not because they deserve it but because God forgave us for His Son, Jesus’, sake.
Remember, God has so much love for us that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for us on the cross. Because Jesus did that, God forgives us all of our sins. So even though it’s not always easy to forgive others, we should try to do that because God forgave us all our sins. Jesus will always help us when we ask Him.
Story of the Unmerciful Servant:
One time, one of Jesus’ disciples named Peter, asked Jesus, “How many times should I forgive my brother? –-Until seven times?” Jesus answered and said, “Not seven times but seventy seven times.”
Then Jesus told a story about a servant who owed his master a huge sum of gold. But when he couldn’t repay it, the master forgave him all of his debt. At the same time, there was someone else who owed the servant a small sum of money. Instead of being kind and forgiving as his master had been to him, the first servant was very mean and harsh with the other man. He did not want to forgive him; in fact, he had him thrown in prison!
When the master of the first servant heard about how he had treated his fellow servant, the master was very disappointed. He called the servant to him and said, “How come you couldn’t forgive that man his small debt when I forgave you such a huge debt? Because you weren’t very kind to your fellow servant, I’m changing my mind. I expect you to pay me back every cent of the huge debt that you owe me!”
Jesus ended the story by saying, “So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses” (Matthew 18:35).
Application of Forgiveness:
If we think about how much God has forgiven us, it makes it easier for us to forgive others. We also feel much happier when we forgive others than if we hold it against them. Perhaps the person who hurt us may someday turn into a good friend. It can happen!
Ask the children to think about a time when someone did something mean or unkind to them. Were they able to forgive them or is it still bothering them?
Follow-up activity:
Give each child a piece of paper and a pencil. Ask them to write or draw a simple picture of something that someone did that hurt them. Then take time for everyone to pray and forgive that person. Next, everyone can erase what they drew or wrote.
Teach children that this is exactly what God does when He sees our sins. Instead of our sins, He sees Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Then He takes His big Heavenly eraser and erases our sins forever!
Prayer:
Help the children pray for more of God’s love to forgive others. If anyone has not received Jesus yet, give them a chance to do so.
Enrichment:
Learn the song: “Be Ye Kind One to Another.”
References: Biblegateway.com: Ephesians 4:32 and Matthew 18:35