Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: dolls/figures, simple “conflict” toys (one ball, one car) that invite turn-taking and sharing.
- Table: coloring page of two children saying sorry and hugging or shaking hands, plus crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will learn that the Bible helps me say ‘I’m sorry’ and forgive.”
- “Sometimes we hurt others; sometimes others hurt us.”
- “Jesus forgives us and helps us forgive.”
Opening Prayer (echo prayer)
Children repeat after you:
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Songs (5–10 minutes)
Song 1 – B-I-B-L-E
Song 2 – My God Is So Big
Song 3 – “Sorry and Forgive”
(Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
“When I do something wrong,
I can say, ‘I’m sorry.’
Jesus forgives and helps my heart
To love and not to worry.”
Motions:
Hand on heart on “wrong,” fold hands on “Jesus forgives,” arms open wide on “love.”
- Bible hands, hug the “book,” step on “I stand alone.”
Song 2 – My God Is So Big
Song 3 – “Sorry and Forgive”
(Tune: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”)
“When I do something wrong,
I can say, ‘I’m sorry.’
Jesus forgives and helps my heart
To love and not to worry.”
Motions:
Hand on heart on “wrong,” fold hands on “Jesus forgives,” arms open wide on “love.”
Lesson
Sit kids in a circle. Have: a Bible, two child figures, one toy between them (for a conflict), and maybe a cross picture.
a) The Bible says we all sin
Hold up the Bible.
b) Simple “sorry” story
Put two child figures and a toy between them.
c) Forgiving others
Move the hurt friend toward the other.
e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
“The Bible helps me say ‘I’m sorry.’ Jesus helps me forgive.”
Motions:
Hands like an open book on “Bible.”
Point to self and bow head a bit on “I’m sorry.”
Point up (Jesus), then open hands out from your chest on “helps me forgive.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
a) The Bible says we all sin
Hold up the Bible.
- “The Bible tells us that everyone sins. That means everyone sometimes does wrong things, says mean words, or chooses their own way instead of God’s way.”
- “That can hurt God’s heart and other people’s hearts. When we sin, the Bible tells us to tell the truth about it to God and to say ‘I’m sorry.’”
b) Simple “sorry” story
Put two child figures and a toy between them.
- “Imagine two friends are playing with one toy. One friend grabs and pushes to keep the toy. The other friend falls and cries. That is not kind; that is wrong.”
- “What should the friend do? The Bible helps us: he can say, ‘I’m sorry I pushed you. Please forgive me,’ and try to be gentle next time.”
c) Forgiving others
Move the hurt friend toward the other.
- “What should the hurt friend do? It is okay to say, ‘That hurt me.’ But the Bible also tells us to forgive others, just like God forgives us. Forgive means we do not stay mad forever or try to be mean back.”
- “When we forgive, we are showing God’s love.”
e) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
“The Bible helps me say ‘I’m sorry.’ Jesus helps me forgive.”
Motions:
Hands like an open book on “Bible.”
Point to self and bow head a bit on “I’m sorry.”
Point up (Jesus), then open hands out from your chest on “helps me forgive.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
d) Jesus connection (how He forgives us)
Hold up a cross picture or keep your hand on the Bible.
Hold up a cross picture or keep your hand on the Bible.
- “The Bible says that God forgives us because of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but He died on the cross for our sins and came back to life. When we say to God, ‘I’m sorry,’ and trust Jesus, He forgives us completely.”
- “Because Jesus forgives us, He can help us forgive others too—even when it is hard. We can ask Jesus, ‘Please help me forgive.’”
Craft – “Sorry and Forgive Hearts”
Goal:
Two hearts showing “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you,” with the key phrase.
Steps
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
Have children hold up their pages and say:
Two hearts showing “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you,” with the key phrase.
Steps
- Give each child the heart-page (or help them glue two hearts on one sheet).
- On the first heart, write “I’m sorry.” Let them draw a small sad face turning to a smile, or two kids talking.
- On the second heart, write “I forgive you.” Let them draw two kids hugging or holding hands.
- At the bottom, write:
- “The Bible helps me say ‘I’m sorry.’ Jesus helps me forgive.”
- They can color the hearts and add little crosses or smiley faces.
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- “These hearts show two important words the Bible teaches us: ‘I’m sorry’ and ‘I forgive you.’ When we do wrong, we can say ‘I’m sorry’ to God and to people. Because Jesus forgives us, we can also say, ‘I forgive you’ to others. Remember: ‘The Bible helps me say “I’m sorry.” Jesus helps me forgive.’”
Have children hold up their pages and say:
- “The Bible helps me say ‘I’m sorry.’ Jesus helps me forgive.”
Supplies
- Paper with two big hearts side by side, or two separate heart cutouts to glue on a page.
- Crayons/markers.
- Glue sticks (if using cutouts).
- Space to write on each heart:
- Heart 1: “I’m sorry.”
- Heart 2: “I forgive you.”
- At the bottom: “The Bible helps me say ‘I’m sorry.’ Jesus helps me forgive.”
Pierre's Activity Box
Find more hands-on activities (PDF format) from Pierre to help children learn and live God’s Word.