HF Kids: God is Forgiving

Scripture: Luke 22:54-62; John 21:15-17

Lesson Summary: While Jesus is on trial, some people recognize Peter as one of Jesus’ followers. When they called him out, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. Peter feels so sad about what he has done. Later when Jesus is resurrected, he gives Peter three chances to say he loves him. He forgives as many times as Peter denied him; such a demonstration of forgiveness and second chances!

The point: God is Forgiving

Verse of the month: “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son int the world so that we might have eternal life through him.” 1 John 4:9

Bonus Verse: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” .1 John 1:9

In our HF Kids video today, we talked about how we would rather NOT talk about sin. It makes us uncomfortable sometimes and can even cause us to want to hide away from God if we feel ashamed of our sin.

Our culture today would like to convince us that we are fine the way we are. The world would say, if you are a “good person” then you have nothing to repent of. For many this is an enticing proposition because we want to believe that we are OK as long as we are decent to others and don’t commit crimes.

Oh, friends this is the most dangerous of slippery slopes. The Bible says “None is righteous, no, not one…” (Romans 3:10) and “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). This applies to ALL of us, even the “good” folks.

If we follow the way of the culture and decide that this doesn’t apply to us, we will miss out on the most glorious gift available to us: the gift of true forgiveness despite our sinful nature.
If we can accept that we are sinful and broken, we will see our need for forgiveness and then acknowledge our need for a savior. This is the only way to enter into authentic relationship with Jesus.
 
Help your kids understand that the little sins and the big sins are all the same to God. They all keep us separated from Him, but once we acknowledge His gift, he forgives us and cleanses us as white as the snow!

Thank you, Jesus for your mercy and forgiveness.  We understand that because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, we are born into sin and separated from you. Thank you for providing a path for us to get back into right relationship with you. Amen.
 
~Ms. Kelly
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9