revealed - week 5
WEDNESDAY MID WEEK
As we wrap up this series, we have an extra video that help kids understand what sin is. Take some time on Wednesday to watch the video and share in the conversation.
Good News - Theo
Romans 3:23; Hebrews 10:17
NOW WHAT? What does God want us to do about it?
REFLECTION | Forgiveness for What?
ACTIVITY | Forgive and Forget
- INSTRUCTIONS: Read Romans 3:23, then show this video (or another like it that explains this verse). Queue up Hebrews 10:17 for later.
- Yes, it's sad that everyone sins. But God found a way to forgive us of all our sins by sending Jesus to save us. And once we receive God's forgiveness, the Bible says (read Hebrews 10:17). Thats right – God's not even going to remember our wrongdoing. Isn't that amazing?
NOW WHAT? What does God want us to do about it?
REFLECTION | Forgiveness for What?
- INSTRUCTIONS: Put some soft music on in the background: You could ask a musician within your ministry to play live, or try some of these chill worship songs or even pick some classical pieces, like Bach's Chorale Cantatas, to play quietly. Invite the kids to move around the room a little bit, and tell them they get three minutes to think about things they want to ask God to forgive. Offer examples beforehand. God can forgive when we are mean to our siblings, when we don't respect our guardians, when we cheat on a quiz or test, when we lie to a friend, when we don't try our best. Give kids a few minutes to think about what they need God to forgive them for.
- No matter how good we are, we still mess up. When we think about it, we can all think of things we do that hurt God and hurt people and even hurt ourselves. So, we need forgiveness, don't we? This is why our Big Idea today is so important. God forgives me and God forgives you, too!
- SPECIAL NEEDS HACK: It's possible you may find it difficult to engage kids with special needs in this reflection activity, but don't get discouraged! Even though they may not follow exactly, your words never return void. In activities like this, 1) present clear, explicit directions, 2) let them know what they're expected to do, 3) model how to do it, 4) guide them at each step of the activity.
ACTIVITY | Forgive and Forget
- INSTRUCTIONS: Now, invite the kids to write their responses to the previous reflection activity on pieces of dissolve paper and help younger kids write theirs. After everyone has finished, have the kids take turns submerging their papers into a bowl of water and watching the paper dissolve to show God will forgive our sins!
- Remember we just read in Hebrews 10:17 that God will no longer remember the things we did wrong once we are forgiven? And unlike us, who likes to remember every wrong thing someone has ever done to us, God keeps that promise of "forgive and forget." Take a moment to thank God for not holding our mistakes against us!
- PRETEEN HACK: Repeat this activity, but this time, have them write down something someone else did or said about them that they need to forgive. Say, "Just like how Jesus forgives and forgets our sins, let's do the same for people who need our forgiveness."