Archives for September 11, 2024

Forgiveness is a powerful lesson for kids, helping them understand the importance of letting go of anger and showing kindness, just like Jesus teaches us. In this post, we’ll explore fun ways to teach forgiveness to kids through Bible-based crafts, activities, and prayers that make learning about grace easy and meaningful for children.

Teaching children about forgiveness is an important part of their spiritual growth. In the Bible, we see countless examples of how God forgives us and calls us to forgive others. Forgiveness helps heal relationships, fosters kindness, and reflects God’s love in our everyday lives. This post will explore how we can help kids understand forgiveness from a Christian perspective, including practical tips, Bible verses, and fun crafts to engage their hearts and hands.

What is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness means letting go of hurt, anger, or resentment toward someone who has wronged us. It doesn’t mean forgetting the hurt but releasing the burden and trusting God to bring peace. For kids, learning to forgive can be a process, but with guidance, they can grow in understanding and practice it in their lives.

Bible Verses on Forgiveness for Kids

When teaching kids about forgiveness, turning to Scripture is a powerful way to help them see how God views forgiveness. Some key Bible verses include:

• Colossians 3:13 (ESV): “As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
• Ephesians 4:32 (ESV): “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
• Matthew 6:14 (ESV): “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
• 1 John 1:9 (ESV): “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
• Luke 6:37 (ESV): “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
• Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV): “Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
• Matthew 18:35 (ESV): “So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
• Romans 3:23 (ESV): “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

These scriptures on forgiveness offer a foundation for kids to understand that forgiveness is a choice we make because of God’s forgiveness toward us.

Why Teaching Forgiveness Matters

Forgiveness isn’t always easy for kids (or adults!), but it’s essential for healthy relationships and emotional well-being. Kids who learn to forgive others are more likely to develop empathy, patience, and kindness.

Building a Foundation of Grace

The key to teaching children forgiveness is building a foundation of grace—knowing that we all make mistakes but that God’s love covers those mistakes. As we teach kids about forgiveness, we are also teaching them about God’s grace and how to extend it to others.

How to Forgive Someone Step by Step

Forgiveness means letting go of the bad feelings we have when someone hurts us. It doesn’t mean forgetting what happened, but it does mean choosing not to stay mad. The steps to forgiveness can be simple when you follow the Forgiveness Process Model. Here’s how you can forgive someone in a way that’s easy to follow:

1. Admit You’re Hurt

First, you need to understand that you’re hurt. It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or upset when someone does something wrong.

• Think About It: What did the person do to make you feel hurt or sad?

2. Think About How It Made You Feel

Once you know what happened, take a moment to think about how their actions made you feel. This helps you know why you’re upset.

• Think About It: How did what they did change how you feel about them or the situation?

3. Decide to Forgive

The next step is choosing to forgive. It doesn’t mean saying what they did is okay. It means you are ready to let go of your anger and not let it make you feel bad anymore.

• Think About It: Are you ready to let go of feeling angry and trust God to help you?

4. Be Kind but Keep Safe

After you forgive, it’s important to be kind to the person. But if they keep hurting you, you can keep a safe distance. Being kind doesn’t mean you have to let them hurt you again.

• Think About It: How can you be kind to them, but also protect yourself if they might hurt you again?

5. Talk to God About Your Feelings

Even after you forgive, you might still feel upset. That’s okay. You can talk to God and ask Him to help you feel better and to let go of any bad feelings.

• Think About It: Can you ask God to help you feel better and help you let go of the anger?

6. Let It Go

Forgiving means not staying mad and not trying to get back at the person. Instead, you let it go and trust that God will take care of the situation.

• Think About It: Have you really let go of wanting to get even or stay mad at the person?

7. Become Friends Again (If You Can)

If it’s safe and the person says they are sorry, you can try to be friends again. But sometimes, it’s okay if the friendship doesn’t go back to how it was before.

• Think About It: Can you be friends with this person again? What steps could you take to make things better between you?

8. Trust That God Will Make Things Right

When you forgive, you’re trusting that God will take care of everything. He knows what’s fair, and He will handle it.

• Think About It: Do you believe that God will make things right in the end?

A Simple Forgiveness Prayer

“Dear God, I forgive [name] for [what they did]. Help me let go of my anger and sadness. Please give me peace and help me to trust that You will take care of everything. Amen.”

Practical Ways to Teach Forgiveness

Role-Playing Scenarios

One way to help kids practice forgiveness is through role-playing. Create scenarios where one child accidentally bumps into another or takes a toy without asking. Then guide them through the process of saying, “I’m sorry,” and responding with, “I forgive you.”

Praying Together

Encourage children to pray when they are struggling to forgive. A simple prayer like, “Dear Jesus, help me forgive others like you have forgiven me,” reminds them that they’re not alone in this challenge.

Fun Forgiveness Crafts to Reinforce the Lesson

Incorporating crafts into your teaching can make the lesson of forgiveness more interactive and engaging for kids. Here are some fun ideas from the Forgiveness Craft Set we created earlier:

Forgiveness Spinner Wheel

What You’ll Need:

• Printable spinner template
• Markers or crayons
• Scissors
• A paper brass fastener (Brad)

Instructions:

1. Print out the black-and-white spinner wheel template featuring six sections with Bible verses on forgiveness.
2. Let the children color the wheel as they like.
3. Help the kids cut out the wheel and attach it to the spinner base using the paper fastener.
4. As they spin through the sections, read the verses about forgiveness and talk about what each one means.

Forgiveness Hug Heart

What You’ll Need:

• Printable template of the heart and arms
• Scissors
• Construction Paper
• Markers or crayons
• Glue

Instructions:

1. Print out the heart template with outstretched arms.
2. Have the kids color the heart and arms.
3. Trace and cut out hands on construction paper.
4. Discuss the story of the Prodigal Son and how the Father welcomed his son with open arms (Luke 15:11-23).
5. Glue the hands to the arms and the heart, creating a “hug” to represent how God welcomes us with open arms when we ask for forgiveness.

Forgiveness in Action Activity Page

What You’ll Need:

• Printable activity page template
• Pens, markers, or crayons

Instructions:

1. Give each child the activity page featuring Bible verses like 1 John 1:9 and Ephesians 4:32.
2. Guide them through the steps to say sorry, complete the heart maze, and color the fun designs.
3. Encourage the kids to write a prayer about forgiveness and use the activity page to express how they feel during times of forgiveness.

“Thank You Jesus for Forgiving Me” 3-D Heart Craft

What You’ll Need:

• Printable template of the hands and heart
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons
• Glue

Instructions:

1. Print out the 3-D heart template featuring hands holding a heart.
2. Let the children color the hands and heart and write the message “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).
3. Assemble the craft by folding the hands around the heart, creating a 3-D effect. This serves as a beautiful reminder of Jesus’ love and forgiveness.

Number 4 Forgiveness Coloring Page

What You’ll Need:

• Printable coloring page
• Markers or crayons

Instructions:

1. Hand out the coloring page with the phrases “4 give, 4 get, 4 ever, 4 Jesus.”
2. Let the kids color and decorate the page while you discuss the importance of forgiveness and how it relates to their walk with Jesus.
3. Use this as a fun way to reinforce the idea that we are called to forgive, forget the wrongs, and live in Christ’s love forever.

Grab the entire Kids’ Craft Set on Forgiveness (on Etsy too!)

Helping Kids Understand God’s Forgiveness

Forgiveness starts with understanding that we are forgiven by God first. When we talk to kids about forgiveness, it’s important to highlight that we forgive others because God forgave us.

Explaining God’s Grace to Kids

You can explain God’s forgiveness in simple terms by using analogies they understand. For example, “Imagine if you spilled juice on the floor, and your mom or dad cleaned it up for you. That’s like how God forgives us when we make mistakes—He helps clean up our messes.”

Forgiveness with Healthy Boundaries

While forgiveness is a key part of Christian life, it’s also important to teach children about healthy boundaries. Forgiveness doesn’t always mean allowing someone to continue to hurt us. There are times when we are called to forgive but also to create distance between ourselves and the person who wronged us, especially if their behavior remains harmful.

Teaching Boundaries to Kids

It’s essential to help kids understand that forgiving someone doesn’t mean forgetting what happened or putting themselves in harm’s way. For example:

• Explain the difference between forgiveness and trust: Let children know that while they can forgive someone, rebuilding trust may take time, and it’s okay to keep distance while that happens.
• Boundaries protect, not punish: Teach children that creating space is a way to protect their hearts and their well-being, and it’s a healthy way to honor themselves and their relationship with God.
• Pray for wisdom: Encourage kids to pray for wisdom in how to handle difficult situations and relationships, asking God for guidance in setting boundaries. They can also talk to an adult for direction.

Bible Verses on Forgiveness and Wisdom

Here are some Bible verses that highlight forgiveness and wisdom:

• Matthew 10:16 (ESV): “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
• Proverbs 4:23 (NIV): “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
• James 1:5 (ESV): “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach.”

By teaching both forgiveness and boundaries, we give children the tools to navigate challenging relationships in a healthy, Christ-centered way.

Forgiveness is a Gift from God

Forgiveness is a vital Christian value, and helping kids understand and practice it from a young age will benefit them in every area of life. Through Bible verses, prayers, and fun crafts like those from our Forgiveness Craft Set, children can grasp the importance of forgiving others and experiencing the beauty of God’s grace.

By teaching kids about forgiveness, we equip them with the tools to navigate conflicts with love, empathy, and a heart like Jesus.

Ready to begin? Make sure you grab the Forgiveness Activity Set Today! (Find it on Etsy too!)

More Bible Activities

For more ways to teach Bible lessons through fun activities, check out our Miracles of Jesus Crafts and Lesson Ideas. It’s packed with creative crafts and engaging ways to help kids understand the amazing miracles Jesus performed and the power of His love.

Teaching kids about forgiveness goes hand in hand with learning humility. Be sure to explore our Humility for Kids post, where you’ll find great ideas for helping children understand what it means to be humble, just like Jesus.

As you teach forgiveness, it’s also a great time to introduce the core message of the Gospel. Check out our Gospel Message Told Through Colors post, which includes fun crafts and activities to help kids understand the story of salvation in a simple and visual way.

For even more inspiration, be sure to visit our Sunday School Lesson Ideas post. It’s filled with creative lessons and activities that will make teaching biblical principles engaging and fun for kids in any Sunday school setting.

Are you in charge of children’s ministry? Do you need Bible Crafts for kids? Download this list of Free Sunday School Craft Ideas for Kids for 100s of fun ideas for improving and creating fun crafts for kids at Sunday School, Youth Group, VBS, Bible Study, Christian Education, and more.

Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your Forgiveness Crafts & Activities for Kids.  Leave a comment here or on Pinterest!

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Last Updated on September 17, 2024 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living