Forgiveness

OBJECTIVE

The objective for the morality module is to have the children focus on foundational Christian values and how to incorporate them into their lives. In first grade, the children will discuss the Golden Rule, respect for everyone, the parable of the Good Shepherd, and forgiveness. This week's objective is to talk about forgiveness that God always offers to us and that we should offer to each other.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 7 Minutes

Watch either of the following videos:

Puppet show, "'DouglasTalks' video on forgiveness," focuses on forgiving each other, 7 min.

"'DouglasTalks' video on God Always Forgives," focuses on God's forgiveness, 5 min.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

Read Matthew 18:21-22 out loud to the first graders.

"Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'"

Memory Verse: "Just as Christ forgives us, we are to forgive." Colossians 3:13

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 5 Minutes

Ask the first graders: When our Lord told us we have to forgive someone up to 70 x 7 times, did He mean that specific number? Give them time to answer, encourage them with praise.

Jesus wants us to keep forgiving each other, no matter what, even if the number of times feels like a lot. Forgiveness helps heal our hearts from bad feelings of bitterness. Also, because forgiveness comes from love, when we forgive, we are giving more of our heart to God's love

God taught us the biggest lesson of forgiveness when He died on the cross. Our Lord Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them" even when He was suffering and dying on the cross for our sins. If our Lord can forgive the ones who put Him on the cross, we also have to try our best to forgive each other, too.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

Wonder Questions:

Who forgives us when we ask? (Answer: God)
Who helps you to forgive others? (Answer: God)
How many times do we have to forgive each other? (Answer: every time)
The Bible says we must "forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart." Why do you think it matters to God whether you forgive someone from your heart? (Answer: we have to mean it, with sincerity)
What does forgiveness bring? (Answer: healing and love)
When did we see our Lord forgive? (Answer: on the cross)
Ask the students to share stories of forgiveness in their lives.

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

Our God is a God of love, as children of God, we must love each other fully. Part of loving each other is forgiving each other, just like our Heavenly Father forgives us. Holding on to bad feelings will only hurt us, God never wants that. So let's do our best to love and forgive each other, just like God always loves and forgives us.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Option 1:

Make sure there are no allergies to the food products before sharing with the class.

Ask your first graders if they have ever tasted a bitter, non-poisonous root such as ginger or horseradish. Then ask, how would it feel if they eat something sweet to remove the bitter taste. Then read Hebrews 12:14-15.

Hebrews 12:14-15 "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many."

Ask the first graders: Do you prefer a bitter or a sweet taste? How can you make a bad taste in your mouth go away? How can we make sure no bitter roots grow up in our family and among our friends?

If we hold on to grudges and do not forgive, then bitterness will spread in our hearts. On the other hand, when we forgive and ask for forgiveness, then our hearts will be filled with our Lord's sweet love.

Holding grudges and not forgiving puts a bad taste in our relationships like the horseradish or ginger. When we forgive others, it is like the sweet treat, like MM's or Skittles. When you eat a sweet treat, it helps to take the bad taste out of your mouth. Just as the sweet taste takes away the bitter taste, so God can remove unforgiveness from our hearts and replace it with love

Option 2:

Print and distribute the coloring page attachment. Encourage the first graders to remember the cross when they are angry or frustrated. Have them touch their wrists where the nails would have pierced our Lord Jesus' hands. Pray with them, thanking God for His forgiveness and asking for His help to also forgive.

Make sure they write their names on their papers and take it home to review the memory verse.

SERVANT RESOURCES

To be Truly Human, essay on LACopts.org

Our Suffering Christ is the Powerful Christ, essay on LACopts.org

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Reinforce forgiveness at home with your child this week. Encourage your child to be an example of God's love to everyone in their community. Continue discussing with the children how to repay evil with good. When you forgive your child, be sure to verbalize it to them, so they can mimic your behavior.