Believe In Jesus Today Part 1

 Psalms 103:12 

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Ephesians 4:32 - Memory Verse Ideas

                                                                        Age 5 - 7 or  Teachers 

                                                 Ephesians 4:32 - Memory Verse Ideas

                                                        Say good morning to everyone.

                                       Ask how everyone is doing and ask for prayer requests.

When the class starts begin in prayer.  

Take up the offering. 

Song:  Ephesians 4:32 Memory Verse Song

Memory Verse Train:

Children repeat each line after you.

Speak in a rhythm.

Children line up behind you and follow in 

a circle like a train.

This means repeat *

Choo Choo Choo Choo *

Ephesians 4:32 *

Be ye kind *

One to another*

Tenderhearted*

Forgiving one another*

Even as God *

for Christ's sake*

Hath forgiven you*

Choo Choo Choo Choo *

Ephesians 4:32 *

Repeat or End

Memory Verse Strip Puzzle

Make these out of cardstock.

Tape the line poster to the wall or make a cardboard stand.

One for each group.

                                                        Print one to cut and one to refer to:

You'll Need:

1. Cardstock

2. Print Out Of Above Items

3. Scissors

4. Pen To Write #s

5. Scotch Tape For Each Teacher/ Helper - Inform Them Ahead Of Time.

6. A Helper For Each Group

7. A Wall or Cardboard Stand

Ahead Of Time:

Cut The Verse Into Strips Across The Page As It Is.

There will be 8 strips.  This is like a puzzle.

Put a little number onto each strip 1 through 8

Class:

Mix the strips up and put them on the floor beside them.

As they tape each piece in order.  Say that part of the verse.

Then continue in order and read each piece.

Then read the entire verse together.

This could be used as a relay between many groups or just working with one child.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

The Power Of Forgiveness

Schedule

Idea For A Hard To Control Class With Differing Ages And Abilities

.Work, one on one - while others and helper play in the toy area.  

.Rotate until all of them get their craft completed.

.Teach as you do the craft.

1rst option 
    Prayer:   
Snack:
Craft:
Game:
Songs:
Stories:

Game Review: 

Playtime:
Cleanup:

2nd option
Prayer:
Snack:

My personal story: - 
Story About My Daughter

Bible Lesson

The Prodigal Son

Toy Area

4 -10 Minute Playtime:
4 minute clean up:
During Play Time - Get craft ready.

Craft:
Memory Verse:

Review Questions Game - Stickers:

Songs
Ending: Clean up Time
Line Up:
Pray- Give out papers and prizes:
(If Class Goes Long)
Play ring around the rosies:
Duck duck goose:
Run In A Circle Together:

Simon Says

Sing Action Songs ( Father Abraham)

When My Daughter Was A Little Girl

When my daughter was a little girl, about your age, she got upset with a teacher that

got onto her about something.  She was very upset with her teacher. As a matter a fact she stuck her tongue out at her in front of everyone.

I was concerned that my daughter would become angry and stay angry.

I wouldn't let her go to bed with anger in her heart.  I refused to let my daughter go to sleep until she was willing to forgive her teacher.  I explained it was important that she not let anger stay in her heart.

  We prepared a gift together so that my daughter would have something to give to her teacher.  We stayed up until my daughter was willing to pray and ask God to help her forgive.  I believe it was one of the most important

things my daughter needed to learn.  I told my daughter she had to apologize. I made her apologize in front of the whole class.  She needed to respect her teacher.

If we do not learn forgiveness, then we will never know happiness.

If we do not learn forgiveness then we will not be forgiven by God.

God will give us the power to forgive when we ask him to help us to forgive.  We need to remember God has forgiven us and we didn't deserve to be forgiven.  

 

The Prodigal Son

 In the bible Jesus teaches us stories which are called parables.  Can you say parables?  The parable we are going to talk about today is about forgiveness.  It is about love.  Even though this is a story about people, this story is used to teach us about

the love of God towards us.  It teaches us about God's forgiveness and how we should forgive others.

There was a father who had two sons.  We do not know what their names were, so we will call the older one, Jim, and the younger one Joe.  Jim wanted to please his father and happily went about doing what was expected of him, but Joe was not happy with his life.  He became more and more discontented until he went to his father.  He told his father he was going to leave and that he wanted his inheritance now. 

His father was very sad that his son wanted to leave, he agreed even though he really didn’t want to.  I’m sure his father tried to talk him out of it, but Joe had made up his mind.  His father gave him half of all his money. Then Joe packed his things, said goodbye to everyone, and started on his way.  

How do you think Joe's brother Jim felt about him leaving? 

Joe went and did things, he was taught not to do.  
He spent all his money on friends and parties.
 Parties that God would not be happy for any of us to go to.

He spent and he spent.  He spent until he didn't have enough to buy

one piece of bread to eat. 

Joe was away from home for many years. 

A famine came upon the land.  He was starving nearly to death.  

He found a job, feeding pigs.   The only food he could find to eat 

was the husks from the pigs slop.

He ate and lived with the pigs.  He became very poor.

He became miserable, He finally cried to God for help.  He felt

sorry about all he had done and also for being unthankful for his family.  

He prayed that God would help him get back home to his

father.  He didn't expect that He would ever forgive him or accept him ever again.  

He decided in his heart to beg, he was broken.  He would go 

back to his father and beg for a servant's job.  The journey home was long

with little or no food, with little or no water.

His father saw him from a distance.  Sudden joy-filled 

his heart as he ran to meet his broken son.  

Joe felt what he had done was unforgivable.  He begged his father

to take him back as a hired servant.  His father instantly forgave him.

"My son, my son."  he cried as he embraced him.

My son was dead and now he is alive.  He called all his servants to prepare

 a dinner to celebrate his son's return.  He gave him clothing and a ring for his hand.

He put shoes upon his feet.  

Jim was working out in the field and heard them celebrating.  

He was told of Joes return.

He became angry at how joyfully Joe was forgiven.  

His father replied,   "Your brother was lost and now he is found."

"Everything I have is yours."   

"It is good that we celebrate  his return."

Just like the father, in the parable, readily accepts and forgives his son. 

God our Father in heaven 

accepts us when we ask forgiveness of our sins.    

Just as the son repented of all he had done.

We should repent of wrongdoing and wrong attitudes.

Susan Y Nikitenko September 26th, 2020

---------- 

Quote from my poem:

for older children

Jesus grew to be a man and fulfilled God’s plan.  He died upon Calvary’s cross.

In the power of love, He defeated all hell, and forgiveness prevailed.

For all who believe, for all who receive, with gladness through faith.

Will know the power of His forgiveness and that God’s love never fails.

Susan Y Nikitenko

Song: "Into My Heart"

Memory Verse Chorus:

Memory Verse:

  Luke 15:10b 

...there is joy in the presence 

of the angels of God over 

one sinner that repenteth.

Repenteth means to be sorry and stop doing what's wrong.

Can you say repenteth?

Luke 15:10b Motions

...there is joy 

Hand open wide with thumbs towards your smile. Move them slowly outward

.......in the presence 

Hands open facing upward but moving outwards 3 sways. 

.....of the angels of God

Move your arms and hands like angels wings then point up to God.

......Over one sinner that repenteth.

......Close your hand then Hold up one finger then use 

one finger from both hands to sign tears coming down.

then put hands in a prayer position.

 

Memory Verse Craft

Need:

Glue and Crayons:

Put their names on their papers. preferably ahead of time.

Click Here: Memory Verse Coloring Printable

Angels Rejoicing Over A Sinner Found

print one then make copies smaller for the craft. 60% smaller

 Cut the below memory verses out ahead. 

put all the pieces of the craft into

a plastic baggie. 

Read the Verse out loud

Have them glue it onto the

Memory Verse Printable Above

Print it as-is on the Portrait setting.

Print enough for your class.

Cut out the angels rejoicing ahead of time.

Have them glue them onto the same page.

print

Color the page.

Coloring Pages

Nice Prodigal Son Returns Home Coloring Page

Father Forgives

Feeding The Swine

Follow Here: Prodigal Son Coloring Pages

Puzzles

Prodigal Son Puzzle Here

Printable

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Songs:  

Forgiveness Is of The Lord

 God wants us …  to forgive

Forgive one another.

Forgive one another.

Sisters and brothers.

Forgive one - another.

 

God wants us  … to love.

Love one another.

Love one another.

This is the law - of God’s love.

This is the law - of God’s love.

 

Jesus forgives ----will you?

Jesus forgives ----will you?

We should forgive.

Yes, we should forgive,

Our friends and our neighbors.

Our moms and our dads.

 Jesus forgives ----will you?

Forgive and –be glad

Rejoice and be glad.

Rejoice and be glad.

Forgiveness is - of the Lord.

 

Our God heals – our wounds.

God gives us peace.

Yes, God gives us peace.

Under his wings of - perfect love.

Because He has --- forgiven us.

Because He has --- forgiven us.

Jesus forgives ----will you?

Jesus forgives ----will you.?

We should forgive.

Yes, we should forgive,

Our friends and our neighbors.

Our moms and our dads.

 Jesus forgives ----will you?

 Forgive and –be glad

Rejoice and be glad.

Rejoice and be glad.

Forgiveness is - of the Lord.

Forgiveness is - of the Lord.

 

Susan Y Nikitenko

September 19, 2020

Children's Song

 I'm willing to make a fool out of myself for Jesus

I never claimed to be a good singer.  I do come up with a tune .

If you can play by ear you most likely will be able to sing it better than I do.

I will humble myself enough to prove that this can be a sung.  

Review Questions

stickers for each question right.

Have a game prepared like bowling. or baskets, making hoops, 

Get to bowl once for each right answer. or so on.

The overall winner gets a prize from the prize box.

1. What was our lesson about today?

2. Name something Joe did when he left home.

3. Jesus told stories in the bible what are they called?

4. Name one thing about our memory verse today.

5. Joe found a job doing what?

6. What kind of food did he eat?

7. How long was he gone from home?

8. What did my daughter do when she was about your age?

9. Should we stay angry with anyone.

10.  How did Jim feel when his brother was joyfully forgiven.

11. What does repenteth mean?

12. We sang this song - Fill in the blank

Come into my _________

For Older Children

God’s Love Never Fails

 When I think of the power of God, I think of His mighty voice.

For it was his voice that spoke all things into reality.

When I think of the power of God, I think of His great will.

He willed it, all of this world, the sky, the sea, and you and me.

 

The heavens, the sun, the winds, the stars, and galaxies afar.

In the moment He spoke, no joke, all that we see it came to be.

It is a powerful love from our powerful God, to think of people like us.

It is a powerful love from our God above, who gave His life for you and me.

 

When I think of the power of God, I think of the power of His forgiveness.

In his power, He became a tiny babe within the womb of life.

He was born to a virgin, a miracle, Jesus Christ, Our God, came down to us.

What great power, what great love, His forgiveness, His sacrifice.

 

Jesus grew to be a man and fulfilled God’s plan.  He died upon Calvary’s cross.

In the power of love, He defeated all hell, and forgiveness prevailed.

For all who believe, for all who receive, with gladness through faith.

Will know the power of His forgiveness and that God’s love never fails.

 

Susan Y Nikitenko

September 19^th 2020

Song

God’s love and compassion never fails……

Lamentations 3:22

 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

 The Prodigal Son

The Bible Account

Teacher

Luke 15: 10 - 32

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

4 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

LNow his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

Love Those That Hurt Us

Love Those That Hurt Us

Good morning young people, 

Today we are continuing our series of lessons about the power of God through His Spirit in us.   Our series began with the greatest Commandments "loving God with all our heart and loving others as Christ has loved us." I will be speaking about forgiveness again today.  Forgiveness is vital in a Christian's walk with God, for a number of reasons.  We will be talking about some of those reasons this morning.

 On the first page of your folder, You will find a prayer that we are going to pray together in unison.  By praying in unison you will learn how to pray and learn about the importance of unity.  Please let us pray in agreement as we seek God's blessing on each of us this morning and upon these lessons.

Heavenly Father,  We come to you in humbleness of heart knowing none of us deserve your forgiveness.  We are grateful for your blessing upon us, your salvation, through your precious blood shed for us.  Help us to be the people you want us to be.  Teach us to walk in your Spirit and live by your power.  Help us forgive those that have hurt us because that is how you have forgiven us.  Bless all those here today with understanding and save those that need to know your salvation and your mercy.  We pray that today, each one here would commit their hearts and lives to you in both word and deed.  We pray this in Christ name Amen

I would like to remind you, before we continue, Be sure to pay attention and take notes so that you will be prepared to answer some questions at the end of this lesson.  Be sure to keep all your notes from week to week until the conclusion of this series.  You will use those notes to prepare for our "BIG DAY BIBLE BEE".   Please do not interrupt with any questions until we are open for discussion.  Thank-you.

-----

God commands for us to forgive as He has forgiven us.  So how has he forgiven us?

1. He has forgiven us when we didn't deserve it.

2. He has forgiven us and does not remember it.

3. He has forgiven us our sins

4. He forgives us patiently

5. He treats us as if we never sinned.

6. He sacrificed his life to forgive us.

7. God will bless us even when we hurt him. ( Read Romans 1:16)

    Today I'm going to start with # 7 on our list.   God, sometimes will bless us when we hurt him.  The bible teaches us to bless those that hurt us.  This is a very hard thing to do, especially if it is something that has impacted change in our lives that has caused pain and trauma.   Blessing someone is not just saying bless you.  A blessing is seen in actions.

Jesus went through life-changing trauma.  He saw the faces of growling hatred towards him. He was mocked, spit upon, stripped and his clothing was gambled for, beaten with a whip, which tore his skin till bone was visible, hit,  His beard was plucked until bloody,   He could not be recognized. He was forsaken by his friends, They put a crown with huge thorns upon his head, the blood flowed down.  He was nailed to the cross, through both hands and feet.  He had to lift his body with his nailed hands and feet to take one breath and each time he needed to take another breath.

They laughed as He was going through this and made fun of him.  He was given vinegar to drink upon his cracked dry lips. Which caused burning.  He was shown no mercy.  A spear was jabbed into his side and blood and water gushed out of him.  How did Jesus bless them through the horrible pain and agony?

He prayed for them.  He prayed that God would forgive them because they didn't know what they were doing. 

(Luke 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment and cast lots.)

Somebody noticed that blessing.  Not only did He witness that blessing, but He noticed Jesus forgive the repentant thief.  But it was when Jesus said it was finished.  The earth shook and the sky darkened.  The

ground opened and people arose from the dead.  The power of God was evident.  The centurion, most likely, the one that put the spear through his side, was miraculously saved along with others who were with him.  This is what He said. 

(Mt 27:54 Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.)

 He and others with him believed upon the Son of God.  Jesus blessed those that hurt him.  Jesus prayed and people got saved. People that helped crucify him.  The people were saved because of Jesus praying.  He blessed those who hurt him.  Jesus definitely had prayer power.

--- continued tonight

     The Bible teaches us that we have all sinned and sometimes even as Christians we may have failed the Lord in some area of our lives.  Sometimes it's hard to forgive ourselves.  Somehow what we have already been forgiven of, what we have already confessed.  The devil wants to bring it back up in our hearts and minds.  We are accused daily by the devil before God.  God doesn't remember it anymore.  Somebody might say, "How can God ever use me again?"  Well, when God forgives it's for keeps.   If you have confessed that sin and repented of it.  You must forgive yourself because God has forgiven you already.   You are not a bigger judge than God, you must forgive yourself.  Just put that guilt in the Lords' hands. He's forgiven you, quit beating yourself up.  Young people if you've messed up somehow,  it's not too late to get it right. Sometimes we make choices that hurt ourselves.  We must learn to love ourselves and forgive ourselves so that we are able to love others.  Continue in the Lord.
Forgive others and forgive yourself.  We can't change the past but we can be victorious in our future.

Roman 6:1-22 ¶ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? - ....God Forbid.

Asking Forgiveness 

 When we became born again we do not have to ask God for forgiveness anymore, even if we did something wrong. We confess our sins but no longer have to ask forgiveness.  True Or False

Mathew 6:9 -15 .....verse 12
After this manner, therefore, pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

(We must get our own hearts right with our brother/sister before God will forgive us.)
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

When we sin we hurt our relationship with the Heavenly Father. We grieve the Holy Spirit. When we have gone on without restoring that relationship by asking forgiveness and the confessing of our sins, we can not live in the peace and joy the Lord has spoken of to us. Our lives will not exemplify the Holy Spirit's attributes in our lives. Sometimes this also happens when our faith has been tried for a very long period of time and we begin to doubt. We have to restore our relationship with our Heavenly Father just like we do with people. God will not bless our prayer if we have ought against our brother/sister The Bible tells us to first go to our brother/sister then God will bless our prayers. Your brother or sister will never be able to say you didn't try. God wants you to forgive your brother/sister from the heart, even if they will not accept your attempts to restore a relationship with them. Then our prayers will be heard for our own forgiveness. If we are truly saved you cannot lose our salvation, but an unforgiving heart means disobedience has hindered our relationship with God. Therefore, our effectiveness as a Christian is also hindered. God's will is for us to humble ourselves even if we are not the guilty one. If we do this God will bless us for our obedience and give us the grace to love those that do not love us.

   God will chastise ( punish in love) His children when they rebel against His desire for them.  He chastens those he loves.  God wants his children to repent from unforgiveness or any other sin hindering thier relationship with God.

   If you have never asked Jesus to save you If you have never asked Christ Jesus into your life. That means you are not God's child and you will not go to heaven.  Christ has died for your sin.  He suffered for you and He wants you to accept Him and believe He died for you.  He wants you to follow him with your whole heart.  He died for you and arose from the dead on the third day.  He could do that because He is God.  He died for you but it only applies to you, when you believe upon Him and trusts Him as your personal Saviour.  Do you want to know 100%  that if you would die today, that you would go to heaven?  God does not want anyone to go to hell, He wants you to follow Him, He wants you to come to Him and ask Him to save your soul from sin and the Hell to come for all those that do not believe upon Him.

Father God. Thank you so much for your forgiveness to us and everything you did for us at Calvary and everything you do for us now. I pray that you will give each one here, each one listening,
the grace to forgive, even when it's hard.  Because that is how you have forgiven us and that is your will for us.  I pray that hearts will get right today and the discouraged will be empowered to do your will.  I pray for those here that do not know you, have not trusted you.  I pray that their eyes of understanding would be opened and they would follow you with their whole heart.  I pray they would believe upon Christ for the salvation of their soul.   I pray this in the name of Christ Jesus Our Lord and Saviour   Amen

Susan Nikitenko



1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.   Just If I'd Never Sinned.  (Justified).

Other Lessons In This Series:

Believe In The Power Of Love
What Kind Of Root Is Growing In Your Heart
Staying True To God's Love
Lesson Helps:
The Ten Commandment Scripture Poster


Other Posts About Forgiveness On This Blog

The Power Of Forgiveness - Illustration It's Time To Forgive
We Need To Ask Forgiveness
The Hurt Heart
Short Kids Devotional - Forgiveness
You Were The Because - Teen Lesson
Puppet Show - Lemon Of Bitterness -

Responding To Problems
Forgiveness Puzzle
The Missing Sons

Prayer For The Flolder

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

What Kind Of Root Is Growing In Your Heart? LESSON

What Kind Of Root Is Growing In Your Heart?
(Ephesians 4:26    Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:)

Good morning young people, 

Today we are continuing our series of lessons about the power of God through His Spirit in us.   Our series began with the greatest Commandments "loving God with all our heart and loving others as Christ has loved us." I will be speaking about forgiveness today.  Forgiveness is vital in a Christian's walk with God, for a number of reasons.  We will be talking about some of those reasons this morning.

 On the first page of your folder, You will find a prayer that we are going to pray together in unison.  By praying in unison you will learn how to pray and learn about the importance of unity.  Please let us pray in agreement as we seek God's blessing on each of us this morning and upon these lessons.

Heavenly Father,  We come before you with praise and thankfulness for your forgiveness towards us. Help us understand just how powerful forgiveness is in the life of your children.  Search our hearts today and speak to our hearts as we learn

how to honor you with our lives.  Give us the grace to do the things you teach us to do and help us to live in your power.  Give us wisdom as we trust you and seek to please you with our lives. I'm reminded of this verse, Lord, let it be a beacon as we look to you this morning. Ephesians  6:10 ¶  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.   In the name of Christ Jesus,  We pray this, Amen

I would like to remind you, before we continue, Be sure to pay attention and take notes so that you will be prepared to answer some questions at the end of this lesson.  Be sure to keep all your notes from week to week until the conclusion of this series.  You will use those notes to prepare for our "BIG DAY BIBLE BEE".   Please do not interrupt with any questions until we are open for discussion.  Thank-you.

  Around seven or eight years ago, I was working in my garden.  There were three or four huge bushes growing on the side of my house.  They were very tall and very full, they took up a lot of room.  The former owner of our home planted them there years and years before.  I decided I wanted to get rid of them.  I cut them down, that was quite a chore, but honestly, the hard work had just begun.  I started to dig up the first root.  I worked nearly all day on one root, digging with my shovel and chopping with an ax.  I cannot remember exactly how many days I worked on digging those roots. Each day,  I was exhausted after working in the heat, my hair was a mess, my face was red and my hands had blisters.  I was dirty from the top of my head to the tip of my toe.  I was on the last root, digging and chopping, I couldn't get the root loose, I was tired and wanted to quit, but I was so close to being done.  My husband offered a hand and we got the last bit of root out together.   I'm telling you this story because the Bible speaks of a root, a root that can grow into your heart.  Once it grows there, it's hard to get rid of.  The root will rob you of your joy and of your peace.  It will rob you of your youth and of your health. 

     Forgiveness is a choice and sometimes very hard to do.  It is something that requires great humility and dying to oneself.  It is obedience to God's will.

  Usually, if you're mad at someone you don't want to forgive them.  It is a struggle to forgive them, but when you want your life to be blessed by God and you want God pleased with you, you're going to ask God to help you to forgive.  It may take years of asking God to help you forgive until you finally you do.  I can say that because it took me a long time to forgive some things from my childhood.  Not forgiving only hurts yourself it doesn't hurt the one that hurt you unless they happen to love you, then it hurts them. 

   
   Christ is within us if we know Christ as Saviour and we have the power to forgive things that are unforgivable.  We must not let our hearts become embittered.  If we do it hinders our walk with the Lord, our relationship with God suffers.  It grieves the Holy Spirit.

 Forgiveness is something we have to do every single day that we live.   God tells us to be angry and sin not.  So what does that mean?  When does anger become sin?  

 There are a lot of injustices in life that make us angry, and justly so.  We should be angry at those things.  That's why we have law enforcement and laws to protect people.   Anger becomes sin when it starts taking control of us.  We can not go to bed angry lest it turns into a root of bitterness. When anger changes us and changes our relationships between people and with God, that's when it has taken hold.  

 I remember when my eldest daughter came home from school angry over something a teacher had done.  I told my daughter "you must forgive her, you can not stay angry."  She refused to forgive her.  I prayed with her, she still refused to forgive her.  It was bedtime
and again we talked about forgiveness.  I taught her about the verse in the bible that says not to let the sun go down on our wrath.  (Ephesians 4:26    Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:) She still refused. I wouldn't let her go to sleep until she realized how important it was not to go to bed angry.  We put a gift together for her teacher and I taught her to show her teacher love and to apologize for sticking her tongue out at her.  She finally agreed after hours.  I didn't want my daughter to grow up bitter but to fight against the temptation by showing love.  We prayed until she was ready to obey.  I was so proud of her, it took strength to show love to her teacher.  

We are not to go to bed angry about this world, but rather praising the Lord.  Our eyes can't be on the wind and the waves, but upon the one that can calm the sea.  He is the one we need to keep our eyes upon, not upon the many sorrows of life.  He's the one that helps us do the impossible, He's the one who helps us fight the battles of this life.

  Becoming bitter will make you old and sick and will hurt your own family.  I've had to cry out to God myself to help me forgive some things that have brought grief to my life.    Though we know these things, we are tested on them every time hurt or trouble comes along.  We must be dependant on God to overcome these obstacles.

  The Bible compares a root to bitterness, anger, and resentment.  All of these are out shoots of bitterness.  If you think about it the root could be almost any sin that can get hold of your life.  

What kind of root is growing in your heart?  
Please, let us ask ourselves this question as we talk about "Forgiveness".

   


Hebrews 12:15 
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled

More Soon - Not Quite Done Yet

Other Lessons In This Series:

Believe In The Power Of Love

Staying True To God's Love
Lesson Helps:
The Ten Commandment Scripture Poster


Other Posts About Forgiveness On This Blog

The Power Of Forgiveness - Illustration It's Time To Forgive
We Need To Ask Forgiveness
The Hurt Heart
Short Kids Devotional - Forgiveness
You Were The Because - Teen Lesson
Puppet Show - Lemon Of Bitterness -

Responding To Problems
Forgiveness Puzzle

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