True Forgiveness

Beforehand read Genesis 45:25-46:7 and Genesis 50:14-21

Memory Verse:

• "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

Craft Ideas:

Option One:

Instead of the hand outline shown in this picture, replace it with a cross. Mold a toilet paper roll into the shape of a heart and let them paint hearts around the cross like it's a tree.

Option Two:

Since we are talking about Joseph truly forgiving his brothers, we can talk about how Jesus forgives us. 

Snacks- Two Options

Unforgiveness- Have a gross snack available (black licorice or any other very unpopular snack).

Forgiveness- Have a snack all kids love (candy, cookies, etc)

     Explain that if we choose to not forgive someone, the prize (snack) is not good, not satisfying, and it doesn't make God happy.If we choose forgiveness, the prize (snack) is good, satisfying, and it makes God very happy.

Story:

Read/Retell Genesis 45:25-46:7 and Genesis 50:14-21

• Tell about how God forgives us when we do things that hurt his feelings (lying, taking things that are not ours, etc.)
• Share an instance where you forgave someone, hot it made you feel, and how forgiveness showed God's love to that person.

Memory Verse Games:

• I could not find the original source of this picture, but apparently you can make this using a white crayon and water colors. It would be a fun way to display the memory verse!

• Act it out.
• Brainstorm motions with the students to match their memory verse. When children learn movements they are less likely to “lose it” from their memory.
• Post It Cover Up
• For this activity write the memory verse on the front board of the classroom. Practice reading it once together and then use post-it notes to cover up one of the words. Then, practice reading the verse again followed by covering up a second word with post-it notes. Continue this pattern until the entire verse is covered and the children are saying the verse from memory. This is an interesting spin on traditional drilling of a verse by repetition. You could also reverse the game beginning with some words covered and have children guess the missing words.
• Find, Assemble, and Read
• Put each word from the verse onto separate sheets of paper. Hide them around and have the kids find the words. Once the kids have found the words, congregate at a meeting spot and assemble the sentence and read them.
• Pudding Words
• Smear pudding on cookie sheets. Using their fingers, have the kids write the memory verse in the pudding.
• Pudding Pictures
• Smear pudding on cookie sheets. Using their fingers, have the kids draw what they learned from the lesson in the pudding.