YEA Lesson Library
You’re Forgiven
About This Lesson
Using the parable of the unforgiving servant, this lesson teaches the importance of being forgiven by God and forgiving others.
Scriptures
Chronicles 7:14
Daniel 9:9
Matthew 6:12,14
Matthew 18:21-35
Mark 11:25-26
Luke 6:37
Ephesians 4:32
1 Peter 3:8
1 John 1:9
Words to Know
BORROW - to be given something that should be paid back
FORGIVE - to say it is okay, you don’t owe me anything
The Lesson
Once there was a king who let his helper borrow a lot of money. The money he borrowed was not pennies. It was lots and lots of dollars. And, when you borrow money you must pay it back. The time came for the helper to pay the king. But the helper didn’t have any money! He went to the king and said, “I’m sorry. I don’t have any money to pay you back.”
The king was a very kind man. He didn’t get mad. He told his helper, “You don’t have to pay back the money. I will forgive you.”
Not long after that, the helper remembered that a friend borrowed some money from him. It wasn’t as much as the helper had borrowed from the king. He thought, “I need my money back!” So, he went to his friend and said, “Give me my money back!”
When his friend said he didn’t have any money, the king’s helper got mad. He had his friend put in prison. His friend begged to let him pay him later. But the king’s helper said “no.”
The king found out what his helper had done. He asked, “Why weren’t you kind to your friend like I was to you? I didn’t get mad. I didn’t make you pay back the money you owed me. I forgave you.”
Who do you think our Friend Jesus would want you to be like, the king or his helper? Jesus forgives you when you do things wrong and are really sorry. He wants you to forgive, too.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Ephesians 4:32
Monday - 2 Chronicles 7:14
Tuesday - Mark 11:25
Wednesday - 1 Peter 3:8
Thursday - 1 John 1:9
Friday - Mark 11:26
Saturday - Daniel 9:9
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Tell that the king forgave his helper who owed him money.
2. State that Jesus will forgive them when they are sorry for doing bad things.
3. Explain that Jesus wants them to be kind and forgive others.
Topics & Themes
Forgiveness
Jesus, His Ministry
Kindness
Obedience
Parable of
Unforgiving Servant
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students’ and Teacher’s books, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, songbook, CD or cassette tape, music player, heavy paper, crayons, scissors, small bag of pennies and large bag of pennies
Preparation
The concept of forgiveness is difficult, but possible, for preschoolers to comprehend. They know what it means to be kind and unkind. Children should not be allowed to be unkind or disobedient in class. Wrong or unkind actions from a child give you a chance to show forgiveness. They learn both from being hurt and from being forgiven. Tell the children that Jesus loves them even when their actions are bad. Children mirror our example and will learn to show forgiveness from us.
When a child hurts another child or takes something away from another child, have him first state that he has done wrong. Then have him tell the other child he is sorry for what he did. Tell the child who has been wronged that Jesus wants him to forgive. Have him show he forgives by giving the child a hug. Remind the child not to do the bad thing again. Telling the child that you love him will reinforce the lesson of forgiveness.
Review Questions
Seat the children on the floor in a semicircle. Roll a large ball to one child at a time, asking one of the review questions. When he answers, have him roll it back to you. Continue until every child has had at least one turn at answering and rolling the ball.
1. Was the king a kind man?
2. What did his helper borrow from the king?
3. Did the helper pay the king back?
4. Did the king forgive him?
5. What did the friend of the king’s helper borrow?
6. Did he have enough money to pay back the king’s helper?
7. Did the king’s helper forgive him?
8. Who should you be like, the king or his helper?
9. What should you do when someone says, “I’m sorry” when they hurt you?
REACH Activity
Letter: K
Words: king, kind, kingdom
Sentence:
THE KING WAS KIND. THE KING’S HELPER WAS NOT KIND. WHEN PEOPLE ARE KIND TO YOU, SAY THANK YOU!
Song
“If You’re Happy” is on page 47 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Dear Father, Please forgive me for wrongs that I have done – the times that I hurt someone, or didn’t keep my promises. Father, please forgive me, and guide my steps each day. Keep your arms around me, and please don’t let me do bad things. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Printable Pages
