If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring supplies with them to class.
Have pencils/pens and index cards on a desk in a common area. (If your class is meeting online, invite students to have those items ready at home.) Give students a few minutes to write down things they find difficult to forgive themselves for (all on one side of the index cards). Explain that these are personal and won’t be seen by anyone. These can be attitudes they feel ashamed of having, things they have done that made them feel disappointed with themselves, or moments they wish they could take back, etc.
When they’re finished writing, have students turn over their cards so the blank side is facing up. Have each student write “I forgive you” on the blank side of their index card.
Let’s watch the following video and think about forgiveness.
Share the following video with your students [3:05; start at 0:15; stop at 1:55]: Woman forgives teen who attacked her on Capitol Hill | NBC4 Washington
This woman chose to forgive the teen who attacked her outside her home.
- Why would it be hard to forgive someone who attacked you, causing major injuries and lasting fear of a repeat event? (Answers will vary. There would be a great deal of bitterness and resentment at first.)
- Do you think it is in our nature to forgive others when they do something to hurt us? Explain your answer. (Students will probably acknowledge that forgiveness isn’t something that comes naturally.)
- As wonderful as it was for this woman to forgive the teen who hurt her, do you think her forgiveness made the attacker right with God? Explain your answer. (Allow students to voice opinions without comment. This will give you an idea of where they stand spiritually so that you can address it later in the lesson.)
This woman forgave the teen who brutally attacked her. This act freed her from the bondage of unforgiveness. But was it enough? Let’s see what God’s Word says.
