Grades 1-3

Introductory Activity – Let’s Make Seven

Materials: paper, markers 

Divide the group of kids into teams (of 3-5). Give each team a piece of paper and a couple of markers. Tell the teams to write 7 in the middle of their paper. Encourage teams to illustrate seven in as many different ways as they can. They may use tally marks, draw objects, write addition and subtraction equations, or use other ways to show the quantity of 7. After a few minutes, call the groups back together. As time allows, ask for groups to alternate in responding to compile their ideas. Tell the kids that 7 will be important in the Bible story today.

Live It Out

Game – Find the Question

Materials: green paper square with ? printed on it

Choose one kid to be the first player. That player steps outside the room (supervised by an adult). Choose another kid to hide the ? somewhere in the room. Tell him that a small piece of the paper must show wherever he hides it. When the paper is hidden, guide the kids to begin clapping softly. The player enters the room and begins to search for the paper. The group should clap softly when the player is not close to the paper and clap more loudly as he gets closer to the paper. When the player finds the paper, ask a review question for the group to answer. Choose another kid to be the player and play the game again.

Craft – Forgive Banner

Materials: large construction paper, markers, various art materials

Guide kids to print Forgive on large construction paper. They can use the materials to create a banner with the word. As they work, talk about the Bible story and the Life Point. Talk about situations when a kid may need to forgive someone.

Grades 4-6

Introductory Activity – Give It Away

Materials: paper, masking tape

Use masking tape to divide the play area into four square areas. Wad paper to make a lot of paper balls. Group the kids into 4 teams. Divide the paper balls between teams. Tell kids that on your signal they should start “giving” the paper balls to the other teams by tossing the balls into the teams’ spaces. The goal is to give away all of your balls. After a minute or so, call time. Ask teams to count their paper balls. Award point to the team with the fewest balls. Redistribute the balls and play again. Tell kids they will hear a story about “giving” forgiveness.

Live It Out

Game – Up and Down Review Game

Materials: self-stick notes, pencil

Print these point values on the backs of self-stick notes (fronts will be blank): +1 (make several notes); +2 (make several notes); +4 (make 1-2 notes); +5 (make one note); -1 (make several notes); -3 (make several notes). Stick the notes on a wall or white board.
Group the kids into two teams. Alternate asking the teams review questions about the Bible story. When a team answers correctly, a member of the team takes a note (without looking at the back first). Designate a place for each team to place their points notes. After all review questions are asked, add and subtract to total the points for each team. Mix and return the notes to the wall to play the game again. (Note: Winning team could be the one with the lesser number of points. If so, add at least one larger number of points to subtract.)

Craft – 70X7 Wristband 

Materials: cardstock, ribbon, markers, hole punch, scissors

Cut cardstock to pieces that measure approximately 1½ inch by 4 inches. (Adjust the measurement as needed.) Review the Bible story, talking about what Jesus taught about forgiveness. Ask kids why forgiveness is difficult, especially when the same person needs to be forgiven again. Encourage open discussion about forgiveness. Give each person a piece of cardstock and ask her to write 70X7 on it (to represent 70 times 7). Encourage the kids to decorate the paper as they choose. When a child completes her design, she can punch a hole on each end of the paper and thread a piece of ribbon or yarn through the holes to make a wristband. Encourage the kids to wear the wristbands to remind them to practice forgiveness.