Big Idea: God’s forgiveness is as big as the ocean, so we can bring him all our sins.
Bible Basis: Luke 7:34-50
Key Verse: “You will completely wipe out the evil things we’ve done. You will throw all our sins into the bottom of the sea.” Micah 7:19
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN
Simply ask your child to share one good thing that happened today or this week (thumbs up) and one not-so-good thing (thumbs down). This is a great way to share celebrations and struggles with one another.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS
For younger kids:
What was your favorite part of this story? Why?
Why do you think the sinful woman showed Jesus so much love?
For older kids:
What does this story teach you about Jesus?
Why do you think Jesus told that story about the coins? What did the story mean?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
After the video, have your child pick one or more of the prompts on the GO! Home Guide.
Prayer Station prompt: Write a prayer to God. Tell Him about one of your sins and ask Him for forgiveness.
Journal Station prompt: How does it feel to know that God can forgive you no matter the number or the size of your sins? Tell God about it?
Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Luke 7:36–50. Draw a picture of the story or write to God about your favorite part of the story. Tell Him why you liked it.
Art Station prompt: When the sinful woman saw Jesus, she fell at His feet and cried. What would you do if you saw Jesus? Draw a picture of it.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
+ Ocean of Forgiveness (Application Activity)
- Set up: Fill a plastic bin or bucket ½ to ¾ of the way with water
- Say: Today we learned that God’s forgiveness is as big as the ocean. No matter how many or how few, no matter how big or how small, God’s forgiveness can completely wipe out any sin. We’re going to do an activity right now that will help us think about the sins that we need to throw into the ocean of God’s forgiveness.
- Directions: Place a bin or bucket of water against a wall. Give each kid in the group a ping pong ball and washable marker. (If you have fewer balls than kids, pass out as many balls as you have. Then, when one kid has finished the activity, give their ball to another kid.) Tell the kids to think of a sin that they commit more often than others or a sin that they feel is really big. For older kids, have them write that sin on their ball. For younger kids, have them color a dot on the ball to represent that sin. When ready, tell the kids that they’re going to throw that sin into the ocean of God’s forgiveness. For each kid, give them an age-appropriate challenge for how to do that. Examples: throw the ball from 3 feet away; 5 feet away; bounce the ball once and into the bin; bounce the ball twice and into the bin; bounce the ball off the wall and into the bin; bounce the ball off the floor, the wall, and into the bin; etc. If they don’t succeed after a few tries, have them simply toss the ball directly into the bin of water. Once the ball is in the bin, use the water to wash the sin off and show the kids how God’s forgiveness has wiped it away.
- Question: Do you ever feel like your sins can be too many or too big to ask God for forgiveness? Why do you think some people feel that way?
- Question: Do you wonder if some sins are so small that you don’t need to ask God for forgiveness? (Read James 2:10 and tell the kids that even one small sin needs God’s forgiveness.)
- Question: How often do you ask God to forgive your sins?
- Pray: Open the kids in prayer. Thank God for his enormous ocean of forgiveness. Allow the kids a moment to confess their sin to God (either silently or aloud) and to ask Him for forgiveness.
+ Picture This Bible Verse (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: “Picture This” Bible verse cards and markers
- Directions: Place the “Picture This” Bible verse cards in the center of your group. Each card will contain a part of the verse. Have the kids arrange the cards in the correct order. For younger kids who are still learning to read, you may have to assist them with this. Today’s Bible verse is: “You will completely wipe out the evil things we’ve done. You will throw all our sins into the bottom of the sea.” Micah 7:19. Tell the kids that they’re going to replace each part of the verse with a picture. Begin by reading the words on the first card and asking your group if they can think of a picture that represents those words. Choose one of the kids to flip the card over and draw that picture on the back. Continue this for each of the cards. When finished, once again place all of the cards in order on the floor with the words facing up. Begin by reading the verse together. For younger kids, they can listen to you reading the verse a couple of times before they begin to join in. Choose a kid to flip one of the cards over so that the picture is facing up. Recite the verse again. Continue having kids flip over cards and reciting the verse until all of the words have been replaced with pictures. When your group is able to recite the verse using only the pictures, have them begin removing one card at a time. Each time you remove a card, recite the verse. Continue doing this until all of the cards are removed and the kids can recite the entire verse from memory.
- Question: What do you think this verse means when it says God will throw our sins into the bottom of the sea?
- Question: How do you think God’s forgiveness is kind of like the bottom of the sea? (Suggested answer: it’s big and it swallows up our sin.)
+ Into the Hands of God (Prayer Activity)
- Supplies: Paper and markers
- Directions: Give each kid in your group a blank piece of paper and a marker or crayon. Tell them to trace their hand onto the paper. At the top, have the kids write “God’s Hand.” For younger kids, you may want to help them with the spelling.
- Say: When you put something into God’s hands, it means that you trust He’ll help you with it and you stop worrying or feeling guilty about it. Right now, we’re going to think through some difficult situations. Write down or draw a picture of something that’s hard for you to deal with inside of the hand.
- Supplies: When kids are finished writing or drawing, encourage them to share with each other what they put into God’s hands. When finished, open your group in prayer. Invite kids who are comfortable to pray aloud and to hand over their requests to God. Afterwards, encourage the kids to continue praying for themselves and each other throughout the next week.
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus to forgive all my sins and make me part of your family. Help me to worship and thank you every day for all that you do. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read in the Bible the story that was the basis for this week’s lesson:
Luke 7:34-50
Do more of the activities list above with your child.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!