HUGGING JESUS: EMBRACING FORGIVENESS
Week 1: Crying Happy Luke 7:36-50
• Talk about a time when someone forgave you. How did you feel?
• Which comes first: We say we’re sorry, and then Jesus forgives us? Or Jesus forgives us, and then we say we’re sorry?
• Listen to a song that makes you think of Jesus forgiving you, or sing along to a song like “You Are My King (Amazing Love).”
Week 2: Remembering Luke 23:38-43
• Asking God to remember means asking God to act powerfully for you. Where do you need God to act powerfully?
• Kneeling reminds us that we belong to the King. Kneel for a prayer and ask, “Remember me.”
Week 3: Just Asking Luke 18:9-14
• Act out the parable, taking turns being the Pharisee and the tax collector. Or, draw a picture of this scene. What’s hard about saying “I’m sorry”?
• Being forgiven is as simple as asking from the heart. Tell God, “I’m sorry.” And ask God, “Forgive me.” God will, and then God will make you his child!
Week 4: Follow Me John 21:15-19
• One of Jesus’ best friends, Simon Peter, betrayed Jesus. When have you been hurt or betrayed by a friend? What did you do?
• Jesus knows we need to HEAR forgiveness. He tells Peter “Feed my sheep” three times to erase Peter’s three betrayals. Speak Jesus’ forgiveness to each other, “NAME, I forgive you.”
CELEBRATING FORGIVENESS
Week 5: Off the Cross Luke 23:26-34, and Eph 2:3b-8
• Talk about why Jesus had to die on the cross.
• Grace is God’s forgiveness, kindness, love, and what Jesus did on the cross all wrapped into one little word! Draw a picture of a cross, and put yourself on it. Cross it out. Draw another cross, and put Jesus on it. That’s grace!
• Do you think forgiveness is easy or hard for God?
Week 6: New like a Baby John 3:1-4, 16-18
• How can a grown man like Nicodemus be a baby all over again? Have parents or grandparents tell you about your birth, adoption, foster story, or baptism. What did you look and sound like? What did you do?
• Starting over is the power of forgiveness. Is there something from your past you’re glad is erased?
• Pray and know God has forgiven you for everything!
BECOMING FORGIVING PEOPLE
Week 7: How Far? Matthew 18:21-35
• Jesus’ disciples asked him, “How often do we have to forgive?” Jesus’ answer: a googolplex times.
• Google the word googolplex, then try writing out that number. How many times do we have to forgive our siblings and our parents? How many times do they have to forgive us?
• Why is forgiveness so important to Jesus?
Week 8: Walking on Sunshine Eph 4:25-32
Being a forgiving person doesn’t mean never getting angry—it means getting over being angry. In my family, we expect all adults and kids to say “I’m sorry” and respond with “I forgive you.” That doesn’t mean all our hurt feelings go away instantly. It just means we’re starting the process of forgiveness, which can take minutes, hours, or days.
• Talk about what’s expected in your household when people’s feelings are hurt.
• Who do you get angry with and why? Call them, draw them a picture, or play with them.
Beth Guikema-Bode, pastor at Fuller Avenue Church and mother of four great kids
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