WELCOME TO WEEK 5

This week we are learning that Jesus loves us so much that he forgives us when we do wrong. This week we will see how much we are forgiven and can grow in our love for God.

BIBLE STORY

Hide paper money around the room for the kids to find. Have them bring their money and place them into two or more piles making one pile larger than the others. Give one pile to each child. Tell them you will let them borrow this money. Show the happy face you would have if you received the small pile of money. Now, show the happy face you would have if you had the big pile of money? Today we will listen to a parable Jesus shared about giving money and not asking for it back. When we have been given a lot we are even more happy than if we are given a little. God’s love is like this. The more He has forgiven us the more love we want to show Him and others.  

Materials: paper money (real or play money)

Read or listen to the scripture Luke 7:40-50

How much money did the first debtor owe? (500 denarii)

How much money did the second debtor owe? (50 denarii)

Who was forgiven their debt? (Both men)

Who would love the moneylender more? (The debtor who was forgiven more)

What was Jesus teaching Simon? (That when you have been forgiven a lot you will love more, and when you have been forgiven little you love little)

Materials: Computer to play video, Bible or online Bible

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Activity

Set up a play store or shopping area. Use play money and toy items such as food, stuffed animals and toys as part of the store. As you play store with your child talk about how items cost money and you have to pay for them. Discuss how the man who owed a lot of money didn’t have to pay it back just like the man who owed a little. They were happy they didn’t have to pay it back. God forgives us too!

Materials: play/toy items to create a shopping or play store (play money, food, animals, other toys)

Alternative:

Make playdough. Use this recipe to make homemade play dough. Add essential oils like lavender, lemon, or orange to give it a good scent. While playing with play dough discuss how the perfume used on Jesus’ feet smelled wonderful and was expensive. The sinful woman wanted to show Jesus how much she loved him and treasured him no matter the cost.

Materials: ingredients to make play dough (flour, salt, cream of tartar, vegetable oil, water), Food coloring (optional), essential oils or other good smelling oils 

Create:

Make a celebration greeting card that says “I am Forgiven” decorate the card with confetti and other forms celebration decorations. Talk about how Jesus has forgiven us and that is something to celebrate. Let this card be a reminder that we are forgiven when we do wrong things. God forgives us for the big and little things that we do, and that’s something to celebrate!

Materials: Construction paper, Coloring markers/crayons

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Create a colorful perfume bottle. Cut out perfume bottle and glue on colorful tissue paper. See this example.

Materials: printed perfume bottle, colored tissue paper

CRAFT 2

Coloring page.

FOLLOW-UP

Were both the debtors forgiven in the story?

Who had more love?

How should we treat others knowing that we are also forgiven for the big mistakes we’ve made?

What are some ways you can show forgiveness to others?

Practical Application at Home

Think of the following scenarios. How could you forgive someone for doing these things to you. What would you do or say to show them they are forgiven?

—Someone doesn’t share the ball at recess.

—A friend decides not to be your friend at school.

—Your friend throws the ball and hits you in the face on accident.

—A new kid at school calls you a mean name.

—Your friend lies about eating your candy.

—A classmate steals your pencil from your desk.

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Participation in a food pantry or serving food