Lesson background:
This Sunday is known by some as Forgiveness Sunday. Drawing from Orthodox Church tradition, it is an opportunity to recognize and extend God’s forgiveness to those in our lives. (Besides forgiveness and reconciliation are always at the heart of any discussion of God!) In this lesson, children will explore Jesus’ call to forgive one another as God forgives us, considering how they might practice forgiveness and reconciliation in their lives.
You will need:
- A Bible
- A computer with internet access connected to a data projector or television and access to the videos “Forgiveness After Tragedy Turns Strangers Into Brothers” and/or “The Power of Forgiveness” (optional)
- Colored construction paper, a large sheet of butcher paper or a sheet of chart paper cut into the shape of a heart, glue, and crayons or markers (optional)
Starting off
Greet the children as they arrive.
Ask the children:
- Have you ever apologized to someone?
- Why did you apologize?
- How did it feel to say, “I’m sorry”?
- Has anyone ever apologized to you?
- How did it feel for someone to apologize to you?
Exploring the passage
Say a prayer.
Provide context for the lectionary reading (Matthew 18:21-35):
- This reading comes from the New Testament Gospel of Matthew.
- It consists of two parts: 1) a disciple (Peter) asking Jesus a question which he answers, and 2) Jesus offering a parable that deepens his answer.
- Review what a parable is with the children.
Read aloud Matthew 18:21-35.
After reading, ask:
- Where do we see forgiveness in this reading?
- What do you think Jesus is telling us about forgiving one another when he says we should forgive one another “seventy-seven times”?
- What do you think Jesus means when he says we should “forgive from the heart”?
- When we say the Lord’s Prayer (which Jesus taught his disciples) we say “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” What does this mean? What are we asking God to do? What does this prayer ask for us?
- What do you think is hard about forgiveness?
- How do you think forgiving someone can make your life better?
Relating the passage to our lives
Help the children explore the message of this passage through one or more of these activities.
- Radical forgiveness: Gather the items you’ll need for this activity: a computer with internet access connected to a data projector or television and access to the videos “Forgiveness After Tragedy Turns Strangers Into Brothers” and/or “The Power of Forgiveness.” Ask the children if there are any situations where they believe they could not forgive someone. Encourage them to explain why these events would be unforgivable. Show the video “Forgiveness After Tragedy Turns Strangers Into Brothers” and/or “The Power of Forgiveness.” NOTE: The first video discusses the death of a pregnant mother due to a car accident. The second video discusses murder. After watching the video(s) discuss how forgiveness helped the people involved in these difficult situations.
- Putting the pieces together mosaic: Gather the materials you’ll need for this activity: colored construction paper, a large sheet of butcher paper or a sheet of chart paper cut into the shape of a heart, glue and crayons or markers. Give each child a piece of colored paper. If possible, give each child a different color. Ask the children to use crayons or markers to write or draw situations that are hurtful. Then ask the children to tear the colored paper into pieces. Explain that our heart can feel like it is broken when we experience hurtful situations, but forgiveness can heal our hearts. Have the children glue their colored paper pieces on the chart/butcher paper heart so that they create a mosaic.
