Summary
Kids learn that God forgave us first, and that’s why we forgive others.
They won’t fix every situation today, but they’ll see forgiveness as releasing a “debt”—letting go of getting even—because Jesus has already forgiven us so much.
They won’t fix every situation today, but they’ll see forgiveness as releasing a “debt”—letting go of getting even—because Jesus has already forgiven us so much.
Verse
Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Motions:
Motions:
- “Kind” – smile and hold out hands.
- “Compassionate” – one hand over heart.
- “Forgiving each other” – act like erasing on an invisible whiteboard.
- “Just as… God forgave you” – point up, then to yourself.
Movement – “Hold It / Let It Go”
Kids stand with empty hands.
Call out small hurts kids actually face:
Connect:
Call out small hurts kids actually face:
- “Your brother broke your Lego.”
- “A friend laughed when you made a mistake.”
- “Someone whispered about you at school.”
- When they “hold on” to it, they make fists and say, “I want to get even!”
- Then you count down 3–2–1 and say, “Forgive, like God forgave you.” They open their hands wide and say, “I let it go.”
Connect:
- forgiveness is opening our hands and hearts instead of hanging on to anger.
Lesson – “Forgiven People Forgive”
God forgave us first:
Jesus’ story: Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21–35)
Retell in simple terms (no graphic details):
Clarify what forgiveness is / isn’t (kid-level):
Tie back to the verse:
- Briefly describe our “big debt” of sin and that God forgave us in Christ (cross, resurrection).
- “We never forgive more than God has already forgiven us.
Jesus’ story: Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21–35)
Retell in simple terms (no graphic details):
- Servant owes king a HUGE debt. King forgives all.
- Same servant won’t forgive a tiny debt from a friend.
- The king is upset because he didn’t forgive the way he’d been forgiven.
- Emphasize: Jesus’ point is that God forgives us a huge debt, so we must forgive others from the heart.
Clarify what forgiveness is / isn’t (kid-level):
- Forgiveness is: choosing not to get even, not replaying it over and over, asking God to help your heart soften.
- Forgiveness is not: saying what happened was okay, pretending it didn’t hurt, or always going back into unsafe situations. (You can say: “Sometimes you still need to tell an adult and set boundaries.”)
Tie back to the verse:
- we forgive “just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Small Groups – “My Forgiveness Prayer”
Give each child a half-sheet with two prompts:
Leaders:
These stay private, or kids can fold them and keep them in their Bible.
- “Thank You, God, that You forgave me for ________.”
- “Please help me forgive _______ for _______.”
Leaders:
- Explain they don’t have to say names out loud if it’s too sensitive; they can draw or use initials.
- Encourage a quiet moment where kids think of one person they might need to forgive (sibling, friend, classmate).s
- Help them write/dictate a short prayer:
- “Jesus, You forgave me. Help me forgive ______. Please heal my heart.”
These stay private, or kids can fold them and keep them in their Bible.
Game – “Kind or Get Even?”
Call-and-response game to link Ephesians 4:32 to real choices.
Explain:
Call simple responses:
After each “heart” answer, everyone says the verse phrase:
Finish with a brief prayer thanking Jesus for forgiving us and asking Him to make your group a forgiving, kind community.
Explain:
- Hands on head = “Get even.”
- Hands over heart = “Kind and forgiving.”
Call simple responses:
- “My sister took my toy, so I break her drawing.” → hands on head (Get even).
- “My friend forgot to invite me, so I ignore them all week.” → head.
- “My brother said sorry, so I say, ‘I forgive you’ and ask God to help my heart.” → heart.
- “A classmate bumps me; I forgive and let it go.” → heart.
After each “heart” answer, everyone says the verse phrase:
- “Be kind and compassionate… forgiving each other.”
Finish with a brief prayer thanking Jesus for forgiving us and asking Him to make your group a forgiving, kind community.