GOD CALLS US TO FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER

Transcription

1 GOD CALLS US TO FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER A Lesson on Forgiveness and God s Love

2 GRADE TWO GOD CALLS US TO FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER A Lesson on Forgiveness and God s Love GRADE TWO Reflection In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus teaches that God wants to forgive both sinners and self-righteous people. The focus of this story is the longsuffering father, who continues to love both sons as they dishonor him. It is a beautiful story of God s love and determination to see the lost return to him. Help the children discover how God calls us to forgive one another through the scripture story of the Prodigal Son (forgiving father). Read aloud to the children or tell them the story of the Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24 DISCUSSION Why did the younger son want his father to give him money? How did the father feel what did he tell his son? Did the son spend the money wisely? What did he do? How did the son feel when he had no more money? What did the son decide to do? How did the son apologize? How did the father answer him? How did the older son feel about his brother when he returned? What did the father tell the older son?

3 Were both sons wrong? Why? Did the father forgive both sons? LESSON Second graders can recall experiences of making up with friends or family. They can recall times when differences were settled with an apology, a handshake, a hug, etc. Jesus explains the theme for us so that we understand the need to be sorry when we have done wrong and in turn, celebrate in God s forgiveness. This theme helps us to live as followers of Jesus by forgiving those who have hurt us. Discuss with the children the many ways of saying, I m sorry. ACTIVITIES + Activity One: Prepare a poster ahead of time showing the sun and its rays. Discuss ways of bringing warmth and sunshine into others lives. Write one way on each of the sun s rays. + Activity Two: Have some students act as TV reporters and interview the characters in the Prodigal Son story (the father, the two sons, the servants, the pig farmer, people who witnessed the events etc.) Ask the TV reporters to retell the story of the Prodigal Son in their own words. (Use props for microphones, hats, and other easy costumes ). + Activity Three: Distribute construction paper one per child. Have the children trace an outline of one hand. On each finger, let them print one of the steps necessary to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation: 1. We think of our sins. 2. We confess our sins. 3. We tell God we are truly sorry. 4. We promise not to sin again. (Act of Contrition) 5. We thank God. (Penance) Have the children cut their hand out. Punch a hole at the top of the hand and tie a piece of yarn through it. Suggest that they hang their hand on the doorknob of their bedroom as a reminder for each time they receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

4 Close with the following prayer: Jesus, we want to love you with all our hearts. For all the good things we should have done. For all the wrong things we did. We are truly sorry, Jesus. Help us to always remember your love for us. Amen.

5 A RECONCILIATION CELEBRATION LEADER: ALL: LEADER: ALL: LEADER: ALL: LEADER: ALL: LEADER: ALL: Jesus, we want to love you with all our hearts. For all the good things we should have done. For all the wrong things we did. We are truly sorry, Jesus. Help us to always remember your love for us.

6 + Activity Four: Reconciliation Celebration Gather the children in a circle to celebrate God s love and forgiveness. Materials: A copy of the reconciliation celebration for each child. A medium-sized box or large manila envelope to hold the letters to God that each child will write. Dear God paper one for each child, pencils (Open with a suitable song of your choice) Opening Prayer To say that I m sorry Is sometimes hard to do. So sometimes I like to say it By things I do for you. To make up isn t easy. It hurts sometimes inside. But after I have done it, I m glad that I have tried. READING Luke 15:11-24 A Story about Forgiving REFLECTION do We are going to write a letter to God. Let s tell him about one thing we will to make up for our wrongful actions. After a few weeks, we will look at our letter again. You will be able to see if you have done what you promised to do. (When the children are finished writing their letter to God, collect them. Make sure the children know you will not be reading them, but will keep them in a special place for another time.) PRAYER (Ask some students to be the readers for the prayer) Reader1: Reader 2: I ll share some of my money With someone who has none. I have time for helping Another s work get done.

7 Reader 3: Reader 4: And when I m full of laughing, I ll look for someone sad, And share with them my laughter Until they re feeling glad. Reader 5: Reader 6: I like to care for others As others care for me. There is a word for all of this RESPONSIBILITY! CLOSING Sing a song of your choice about God s forgiveness. To say that I m sorry Is sometimes hard to do. So sometimes I like to say it By things I do for you. To make up isn t easy It hurts sometimes inside. But after I have done it, I m glad that I have tried.

8 Activity 4: Reconciliation Celebration Reader 1: Reader 2: Reader 3: Reader 4: Reader 5: I ll share some of my money With someone who has none. I have time for helping Another s work get done. And when I m full of laughing I ll look for someone sad, And share with them my laughter Until they re feeling glad. I like to care for others As others care for me. Reader 6: There is a word for all of this, RESPONSIBILITY! Activity 4: Reconciliation Celebration

9 Activity 4: Reconciliation Celebration

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