KidsPoint Lesson: Forgiveness

Conflict. Let’s face it, it happens. Whether you are 4, 40 or any where in between.  It could be as simple as getting your toy taken away if you are a child. Or as deep as being betrayed by someone you love later on in life.  Forgiveness is what may or may not come after the conflict.  Forgiveness is an issue of great difficulty as I am sure we have all been faced at one time or another not wanting to forgive. When someone wrongs us, it is in our sinful nature to make them feel as though they should pay for what they did, we can’t just let them off the hook, they OWE us.

As I was reading some blogs on forgiveness I came across a great definition of what forgiveness should be. It was said by Thomas Watson over 300 years ago.

“ To forgive is when we strive against all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our enemies mischief, but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve them.”

Easier said then done. Right? But If we don’t forgive, what is the alternative?  More pain? Anger? And hurt?   Unforgiveness can rob you of life, joy and love.  Who wants to live like that?

When Peter came to Jesus and asked if he should forgive someone up to seven times, he was shocked when Jesus responded, nope more like 77 times! (Matthew 18:21-22) God has offered us unlimited forgiveness by sending his son to be the pardon for our sins.  Forgiveness is what Jesus died for! Because of this, forgiveness is one of the best ways to act like God and to show others around you what he is like.

Teaching forgiveness early on can be a true gift to your child, because it is not a process that happens in a day, a week or even a month.  It is a journey that will be a lifelong challenge.  As long as we live in an imperfect world, with imperfect people, who will sin against us on a daily basis, we are going to need to learn how to forgive.  Maybe as we teach this to our children you and I will learn a thing or two along the way as well.

So, here is where we will begin teaching, our line up for the month of May:

• Since God forgives you, you should forgive others (The parable of the unmerciful servant) • Matthew 18:21-35
• When people are forgiven, it can change them (Jesus and Zacchaeus) • Luke 19:1-9
• When you want to get even, do the opposite (Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers) • Genesis 45:1-15
• Don’t wait to start making things right with others. (Jesus teaches about forgiveness) • Matthew 5:1-2,23-24

Tags: Acts 29, church in the woodlands tx, forgiveness, gospel centered church, KidsPoint, May, monthly lesson, the woodlands tx, woodlands point community church

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 30th, 2011 at 1:07 pm and is filed under KidsPoint.