Learning to Forgive
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Lisa Nagle
1. (Parent & Child ) S – Read: Psalm 130:1-7
What words best describe the main point of these verses? Write them down.
Parent:_____________________________________________________
Child:____________________________________________________
2. (Parent & Child) I – Teaching on the definition of forgiveness.
Ask the child about what forgiveness means.Definition: To excuse for a fault or offense; to absolve; to stop feeling angry and resentful.
3. (Parent & Child) I – What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you _________ men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also _________ you. But if you do not ________ men their sins, your Father will not _________ your sins.
Luke 17:4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' __________ him."
Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many _________shall I __________ my brother when he _______ against me? Up to ________ times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not _________ times, but seventy-seven times.”
Question: What do you think Jesus meant by “seventy-seven times”?
Mark 11:25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Question: We have all offended God our Father, We need to ask Him for forgiveness. What do you need His forgiveness for today? What do you need to forgive other people for?
Luke 11:4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Question: What does it mean to “confess” our sins? Do you confess your sins to God? If not, ask your parent how to do that.
4. (Parent & Child) E – Discussion and Prayer of Forgiveness
Have you ever had a hard time forgiving someone who has done you wrong? How did that feel?
For Parents: Talk to your child about a time when you were wronged. Tell her/him how you were able to eventually forgive and relinquish your resentment. Ask your child if he/she has ever ask God to forgive his/her sins and come into his/her heart. If this happened several years ago then talk about how his/her life has changed since that day.
For Discussion: Discuss how you can know that God forgives us when we ask.
5. (Parent & Child) S – Scripture promises on God’s forgiveness
Look for some scriptures that promise God’s forgiveness when we ask. Write down a few on cards and place them in your bible. Together, pray through verses and claim them for your own lives.
6. (Parent & Child) I – Discussion
Discuss and write down three reasons why we should forgive others.
7. (Parents) E – Make a plan to practice forgiveness.
Discuss with your child and list some tips that have helped you forgive others more easily. Discuss and identify three important qualities necessary to forgive. Write them down. Compare your list with the list below:
- Obedience
- Compassion
- Love
- Gentleness
- Joy
- Patience
- A clear conscience
- Persistence
- Understanding
Ask your child which of the qualities above she/he is most gifted? List them. How can you exercise these qualities to practice forgiveness? For example: Love. If we focus on loving others then we won’t notice their faults as much. Write down your plan on a note card or in your journal by listing three ways you can practice forgiveness this week. After one week, the parent will follow-up with the child to find out how he/she practiced forgiveness using a few of his/her stronger qualities.
8. (Parent & Child) E/S- Memorize scripture as you play together!
Have a picnic dinner at the park or down by the river. Enjoy each other. Push each other on the swings or kick the soccer ball around. Memorize the following bible verse as you play: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
