Forgiving Others

Scripture: Genesis 31-33

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will learn that Esau forgave Jacob for things that had happened when they were young.
  • Students will learn that Jacob was humble when he asked Esau to forgive him.
  • Students will learn that God wants us to ask for forgiveness when we sin and give forgiveness when others ask for it.
  • Students will participate in an activity to remind them to forgive others.

Guiding Question: How does God expect us to participate in forgiveness?

Materials: canvas boards or stiff white cardboard, markers, paints, heart pattern

Procedure: Review the story of Jacob and Esau reuniting. Remind students it had been many years since the two brothers had seen each other. The last time they had been together was about the time Jacob cheated Esau out of his blessing. Jacob was willing to humble himself and beg for Esau’s forgiveness. Esau forgave Jacob and the two brothers restored their relationship. Explain to the students that God expects us to ask Him for forgiveness when we sin. God also expects us to forgive others who hurt us in some way.

Give students canvas boards or cardboard. Have them use the pattern to draw a heart large enough for two of their handprints. Have students either place their hands in paint and make handprints inside of heart (palms at top of heart, fingers close to each other at the bottom) or trace their hands within the heart and decorate them. Students should finish their paintings by writing the words of either Ephesians 4:32 or Luke 6:27 on them.

Additional Questions:

  • What are some ways to apologize to others?

Supplemental Activity: Have the students research ways to ask for forgiveness. Ask if creativity or sincerity mean more to the other person?

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