So many people today are “I” centered. They focus on themselves and what they can get out of life instead of on the love of Jesus. When someone wrongs them, they get bitter, which breeds hate, and can eventually lead to murder. Forgiveness is not a feeling, but rather a choice. A decision. Forgiveness determines to “let go” of the anger and offence and be kind to the person, showing them Jesus’ love in return.
This does not mean that there are no consequences, for laws cannot be ignored. A police man should not “permit” a speeding car by looking the other way, however, if he pulls the driver over and only issues a warning, then he is showing forgiveness inside the law. Also, though your grandpa may forgive you for throwing the baseball through his window, he may still require you to make restitution by paying for a new window.
Forgiveness gives the responsibility of justice to God, and keeps loving people.
Object Lesson:
Give each child a potato, and write the name of a person they don’t want to forgive on it. Then put the potato in a ziplock bag and have them to carry it everywhere they go for the next week.
At the end of the week look at the potatoes and compare the rotting vegetables. Explain that refusing to forgive rots a person on the inside. Ask the children if other people commented about the potato they carried around. Emphasize that more people are affected by their bitterness than just them.
This does not mean that there are no consequences, for laws cannot be ignored. A police man should not “permit” a speeding car by looking the other way, however, if he pulls the driver over and only issues a warning, then he is showing forgiveness inside the law. Also, though your grandpa may forgive you for throwing the baseball through his window, he may still require you to make restitution by paying for a new window.
Forgiveness gives the responsibility of justice to God, and keeps loving people.
Object Lesson:
Give each child a potato, and write the name of a person they don’t want to forgive on it. Then put the potato in a ziplock bag and have them to carry it everywhere they go for the next week.
At the end of the week look at the potatoes and compare the rotting vegetables. Explain that refusing to forgive rots a person on the inside. Ask the children if other people commented about the potato they carried around. Emphasize that more people are affected by their bitterness than just them.
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