LESSON 2 - “Why Should I Forgive?”€¦ · Say - God forgives us without a second thought. His forgiveness is immediate and complete. Ask - Is it easy to forgive others the way

Small Group Experience LESSON 2 - “Why Should I Forgive?”

Retelling The Bible Story

Whatchagaddaknow?:“God Forgave Me, So I Forgive You!”

Power Verse:“...Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” -Colossians 3:13b

SUPPLY LIST:

* Bible Story Pictures (provided; print one set)

TEACHER INSTRUCTIONS:

Before small group begins, print the Bible Story Pictures and review the story so you are familiar with the main points. Once small group begins, use the pictures to help review the Bible Story. Hold them up, one at a time, and ask the kids to tell you about the events of the pictures. Discuss them together as a group and continue on this way until the story is complete. Fill in any gaps in the story as needed.

Say - Thank you for choosing to come today! I think you made the right choice, and I am going to need everyone to help review our Bible Story. I am going to hold up pictures from the Bible Story, and I want you to tell me about what is happening in the pictures. Let’s get started!

-Display the pictures and allow time for the kids to discuss the events of each part of the story. Fill in any gaps in the storyline as needed-

Say - Thank you for helping with our story review. This is such an interesting story that Jesus shared. It gives us a lot to think about and reflect on in our own lives.

Ask - How do you think the servant felt when he was forgiven such a large debt?

-Allow time for the kids to respond; discuss their answers with the group-

Ask - Why do you think he chose to be unforgiving?


Ask - Was his choice to not forgive worth it?


Lesson Two - Why Should I Forgive? page 1


“FORGIVENESS” Lesson 2 “Why Should I Forgive?”

Group Sharing

Game/ActivitySUPPLY LIST:

* Choose On Print Pieces (provided; print one set per team)* Scissors (for the group to share)


Before small group begins, print the Choose On Print Pieces (one set for each team). Each set of print pages consists of two pages of people and one page of shoes. Once activity time begins, divide the group into teams. Give each team a copy of the print pieces and some scissors, and tell them to cut out the shoes. When this is complete, each team should bring their cut out shoes to the front of the room and place them in individual team piles, with the shoes face-down so the design cannot be seen. To play the game, team members will race to CHOOSE a pair of shoes from their pile without flipping them over and looking at the design. They must then race back and decide which person on the page those shoes are FOR and GIVE them to that person by placing them on their feet. The next player on the team will continue this process. The first team to CHOOSE shoes and GIVE them all to the right people will be the winning team! This will be a fun way to reinforce the concept of choosing to forgive others. This game can be played multiple rounds as time allows.

Say - I am dividing you into teams and giving each team a set of pages for our game. As you can see, two pages show some different people and the other page has a lot of shoes. Cut out the shoes, and then we will continue.

-Allow time for the teams to complete this task-

Say - Now that all of the shoes are cut out, bring them to the front. Each team should make a pile of shoes, with the design side facing down so the shoe design cannot be seen.

-Allow time for the teams to complete this task-

Say - I think it’s time for you to practicing your choosing! One at a time, players from each team will race to their team pile and CHOOSE one pair of shoes. They will then race back, look FOR the person those shoes belong to, and GIVE them their shoes by placing the shoes on their feet. You are CHOOSING to FOR GIVE. The first team to correctly match all the shoes to the people is the winner! Let’s get our CHOOSE on!

-Play the game; this can be played multiple rounds as time allows-

SUPPLY LIST:

* Get My Choose On And Forgive Print Piece (provided; print one half-sheet per kid)* Pencils, crayons, or colored pencils


Before small group begins, print and cut the Get My Choose On And Forgive Print Pieces. Once group sharing begins, give each kid a print piece and something to write with. Group sharing is focused on encouraging the kids to open up and discuss the lesson concepts and relate those concepts to their lives. Help facilitate and guide the discussion time.

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Say - We just played a game about choosing shoes for people. You know, you don’t put on shoes if you’re planning on sitting around and never doing anything. That would be sort of pointless. The same principle works with being a Christian. We cannot simply accept God’s forgiveness and then sit down and do nothing! It doesn’t work that way! God wants us to get up and get our CHOOSE ON! We must choose to forgive others.

Ask - Can you think of situations that might call for you to get your CHOOSE ON?


Say - God forgives us without a second thought. His forgiveness is immediate and complete.

Ask - Is it easy to forgive others the way God forgives us? Why or why not?


Say - Forgiving others is a choice. A choice means that forgiveness is something we actively have to do; it doesn’t just happen. We can’t sit back and hope that forgiveness takes place. We have to decide on a course of action and then execute.

Ask - What are some ways you can practice CHOOSING to FORGIVE? Write your answers in the blank box.

-Allow time for the kids to write their answers-

Ask - Would anyone like to share what they wrote?


Ask - What happens when we choose to withhold forgiveness?


Say - There are some blanks on your page. Fill in the first blank with the word “CHOOSE” and the second blank with the word “FORGIVE.”

-Allow time for the kids to write “CHOOSE” and “FORGIVE”-

Say - When you choose to forgive others, you obey God. When you choose to forgive others, you also open yourself up to be forgiven by God. That sounds like a win/win to me!

Prayer Time

Say - Forgiveness is an amazing gift! Let’s thank God for the gift of forgiveness in our lives. Then ask God to help you as you choose to forgive others.

Pray

ClosingSay - The servant was in a mess. He borrowed more money than he could ever repay, and his entire family was

about to pay for his mistakes. Thankfully, he met a king who had mercy. He was forgiven of his debt and set free. Unfortunately, the servant did not allow that amazing gift to change his heart. He immediately turned on another man and denied him the forgiveness he had just been given. In the end, his choice not only resulted in the loss of family and possessions, but he also lost the forgiveness he received. We have all messed up and sinned. We have all made bad choices. Thankfully, we have a King of Heaven and Earth who has mercy on us in our worst times. God forgives our sins and sets us free. That is an amazing gift. When we let that forgiveness and love change our hearts, it sets us free to share that same gift with others. How awesome! Choose to put forgiveness into action and forgive others, no matter what! Get your CHOOSE ON this week! Thanks for coming, I will see you again next time.




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Documents

LESSON 2 - “Why Should I Forgive?”€¦ · Say - God forgives us without a second thought. His forgiveness is immediate and complete. Ask - Is it easy to forgive others the way