Fine to Forgive

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Upper Elementary

Lesson 12
Summer 2023
By: RLD Editorial Team
August 20, 2023

Lesson Focus:

Forgive each other even when it’s hard.

Bible Basis:

Philemon 1-21; Matthew 5:23-24; Ephesians 4:26-27

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

None

Step 4:

Index cards
Pens/pencils

Summary & Links:

In order to introduce the lesson topic, students will hear a short story about forgiveness and talk about when they find it easy and difficult to forgive.

Memory Verse:

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
—Ephesians 4:32

In order to introduce the lesson topic, students will hear a short story about forgiveness and talk about when they find it easy and difficult to forgive.

Materials Needed:

None

Begin your time by reading this short story to your students:

Sometimes, we are deeply hurt by people we love. But even if we usually get along with everyone in our lives, there will be times when someone is stubborn or unthinking or just plain selfish. In those moments, we’re faced with an opportunity to form a grudge against that person or to forgive them.

Let’s watch a video about a woman who chose to forgive someone who hurt her—even though that person never apologized.

Play the following video clip for your students [1:52]:
How to Forgive Without an Apology X Sarah Jakes Roberts and Nona Jones

What stood out to you from what Nona said about forgiveness? (Accept all reasonable responses.)
Did you agree with what she said about choosing to forgive and heal regardless of whether the person who hurt us is willing or able to apologize? Why or why not? (Accept all reasonable responses.)
Why is it sometimes hard to forgive? (Allow students to offer their opinions; accept all )
What do you think is easier: forgiving someone else, or asking for forgiveness? Why? (Opinions may vary; encourage discussion. Be prepared to share your own experience.)

It would be wonderful if everyone who ever hurt us was repentant and apologetic. However, sometimes we will have to forgive people who don’t apologize. Other times, we’ll need to forgive people who have hurt us in very major ways. In these cases, it’s important to remember forgiveness doesn’t mean putting ourselves back in dangerous situations or relationships. Instead, it means surrendering the hurt that person caused to God and allowing Him to do His healing work in us. In today’s lesson, we’ll explore what Paul taught Philemon about forgiving others even when it is hard.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Index cards
Pens/pencils

If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring supplies with them to class.

As students clean up from Step 3, move back toward the lesson focus.

When others hurt us, it can separate us from others and make forgiveness more difficult. But Paul’s lesson for Philemon gives us the answer: when we see others as part of the same Church family—the Body of Christ—we are no longer separated from them and it is easier to forgive! Ask for a volunteer to read Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” When we think of all that God has forgiven us for—all that Jesus went through to make sure we would be accepted—it should make it easier for us to forgive.

Distribute supplies (or invite students to have them ready at home). Ask your students to think of someone they may have upset in the past or someone they haven’t forgiven and why they think it has been hard to forgive. Ask them to record a way they will use what they have learned in today’s lesson to mend that relationship. Challenge them to note the outcome and be ready to share next week.

After your students have had a chance to think and write, call them back together as a group.

This week, be on the lookout for ways you can use today’s lesson. I hope no one wrongs you this week, but if that does happen, use Paul’s advice to make peace instead of responding in anger or retaliation.

Close in prayer.

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David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Upper Elementary

Fine to Forgive

Lesson Focus:

Bible Basis:

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Step 4:

Summary & Links:

Memory Verse:

Step 1:

Materials Needed:

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

Step 4:

Materials Needed:

Spread the word

About

Connect With Us

Search Lessons

Disclaimer of Third Party Content