What is the purpose of these activities?

Lesson Goal: The children will learn it is important to apologize and ask for forgiveness from people and God. Main Point: God Provides Forgiveness When We Ask For It! Bible Story: Prodigal Son (Luke 15). Bible Verse: 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (NLT) What is the purpose of these activities? Animal Games (General Opening Activity) This activity will introduce the Main Point through animal-themed games. Forgiveness Dodge Ball (Specific Opening Activity) This activity will show kids the benefits of being forgiven. The General Opening Activity is an added feature in this Elevate series. You can use multiple opening activities or pick the ones your kids will most enjoy. Skit and Bible Story (Large Group Activity) The Skit and Bible Story teach children that it is important to apologize and ask for forgiveness from people and God. Bible Story Safari (Small Group Activity) This activity will help the children review the Bible Story. Follow the Tracks (Small Group Activity) This activity will help the children find the Bible Verse and help them apply today s lesson. Say It Like You Mean It (Small Group Activity) This activity will give your kids an opportunity to practice apologizing in different situations. Fred The Forgiven (Small Group Activity) This activity will show the children that it is important to apologize and ask for forgiveness, and that they should back up apologies with action. Sin Backpack (Small Group Activity) This activity will show the kids that they don t have to carry sin around with them. They can ask for forgiveness at any time. Sunny Sam s Super Safari (Large Group Activity) This is a strategic time to review and reinforce the content of the lesson. 2007 Fellowship Church

Animal Games opening Activity LESSON SEVEN God provides forgiveness when we ask for it! Purpose: This activity will introduce the Main Point through animal-themed games. Description: The children will play one or more games with an animal theme. The scoring for the games will use pieces of paper that go together to spell out the Main Point. Materials needed: For this activity you will need this help sheet, the Main Point Pieces Lesson 1 from the Lesson Materials CD- Rom and the supplies for the games you choose to play. For Zookeeper you will need a taped area on the floor to be the zoo. For Animal Escape you will need two large areas taped out at opposite ends of the room. For Which One What Now you will need the Animal Signs Lesson 1, the Animal Facts Lesson 1 from the Lesson Materials CD Rom, and someway to attach the animal signs to the wall or to chairs around the room. To introduce the activity say: 1. In our new series we are learning from animals in the Bible. 2. We are going to play some animal games right now! For detailed instructions on how to do the activity see the DVD. During the activity say the following: Note: Play any or all of the games that you choose. For Zookeeper form two teams and choose one child from each team to start as the Zookeeper. Then say: 1. Our Zookeepers will start in the zoo, and everyone else will be animals. 2. When I call out an animal, everyone will have to run and make sounds like that animal. 3. The Zookeepers will try to tag as many he/she can in one minute. 4. When a Zookeeper tags you, you must follow them back to the Zoo. 5. When time is up, everyone who has been caught will become Zookeepers and will help catch others in the next round. 6. The last person caught will get to turn over a piece of the Main Point for their team. 7. First team to turn over the whole Main Point wins. For Animal Escape divide the kids into two teams. Call the teams by a similar type of animal, such as Tigers and Lions, or Sparrows and Robins. Choose one child to be the Catcher. Then say: 1. Each team must start in their area. 2. When I call your team s animal name you must run to the other side of the room. 3. If the Catcher tags you, then you must stay in the middle and be a Catcher. 4. The last person caught will get to turn over a piece of the Main Point for their team. 5. First team to turn over the whole Main Point wins. For Which One What Now post the Animal Signs around the room on the wall or on the backs of chairs. Then say: 1. Let s learn about some animals. I will call out a crazy animal fact. 2. Then you will guess which animal that fact is talking about and go stand by that animal s picture. 3. The team with the most people standing by the correct picture will get to turn over a piece of the Main Point. 4. First team to turn over the whole Main Point wins. After the activity say: 1. Those were some great animal games! Summary: You guys did a great job discovering our Main Point, God Provides Forgiveness When We Ask For It. Let s go into Large Group and learn more about it.

ANIMAL FACT CARDS Lesson 7 - cannot see things up close - can turn their heads all the way around - cannot move their heads from side to side - can jump 3 ft straight in the air - has a long sticky tongue - when they swim they will swallow air to make themselves float - fall 6 ft to the ground when they are born - tallest of all land animals - each step is 15 ft long

Zooplosion LESSON 7 armadillo

giraffe Zooplosion LESSON 7

Zooplosion LESSON 7 owl

Zooplosion Lesson 7 God 2007 Fellowship Church

Zooplosion Lesson 7 Provides 2007 Fellowship Church

Zooplosion Lesson 7 Forgiveness 2007 Fellowship Church

Zooplosion Lesson 7 When 2007 Fellowship Church

Zooplosion Lesson 7 We 2007 Fellowship Church

Zooplosion Lesson 7 Ask 2007 Fellowship Church

Zooplosion Lesson 7 For 2007 Fellowship Church

It! Zooplosion Lesson 7

Forgiveness Dodgeball Specific Opening Activity LESSON Seven God provides forgiveness when we ask for it! Purpose: This activity will show kids the benefits of being forgiven. Description: The children will play a game of dodge ball. Every time the teacher yells out Forgiveness players can ask for forgiveness and get back in the game. Materials needed: For this activity you will need this help sheet, and several dodge balls. To introduce the activity say: 1. We are going to play dodge ball today, but I have some special rules. 2. At different times in the game, I will call out forgiveness! 3. When that happens, anyone that is out of the game can come to me and ask for forgiveness and then I will let them back in the game. After the activity say: 1. When you got knocked out of the game, the only way to get back in was to ask me for forgiveness. 2. Sin can knock us out of the game of life and hit us with guilt and sadness. 3. But God is always there to forgive us when we ask Him. Summary: God provides forgiveness when we ask for it. Let s go learn more about how and when we should ask for forgiveness. For detailed instructions on how to do the activity see the DVD. During the activity say the following: 1. Let s divide into teams and play! 2. Forgiveness! Come ask me and I will let you back in the game. 3. Good job! Note: Play for as long as time allows.

Bible Story Safari Small Group Activity LESSON SEVEN God provides forgiveness when we ask for it! Purpose: This activity will help the children review the Bible Story. Description: The children will put pictures from the Bible Story in order in a safari photo book. They will take the photo book home to help them remember the Bible Story and to help them tell others what they have learned. Materials needed: For this activity you will need this help sheet and a hole punch. For each child you will need a Bible, the Bible Safari Pictures Lesson 7 from the Lesson Materials CD Rom, and string or brads to attach the pages. To introduce the activity say: 1. I have all these pictures from our Bible Story. 2. But the pictures aren t in the right order. 3. Help me remember what happened and get the pictures in the right order. 4. Then you can put together your photo book and take it home with you. After the activity say: 1. When the son came back to his father, he said, I have sinned against both heaven and you 2. When we hurt someone we aren t just hurting them, we are hurting God by sinning. 3. We need apologize to those we hurt, and ask forgiveness from them and from God. 4. The son who ran away could have come back anytime. His father was waiting for him to come back and was ready to forgive him. 5. We need to remember that God is always ready to forgive us if we will just ask Him. Summary: Whenever we mess up we need to remember to ask for forgiveness. When we ask God to forgive us, we know that He will forgive us right then. For detailed instructions on how to do the activity see the DVD. During the activity say the following: 1. What s happening in this picture? 2. When did that happen in the Bible Story? At the beginning, the middle, or the end? 3. Good job! We remembered what happened. Note: An additional option for this activity would be to act out the Bible Story using the photos as a guide.

Bible Story Safari Pictures Lesson 7 - cannot see things up close - can turn their heads all the way around - cannot move their heads from side to side - can jump 3 ft straight in the air - has a long sticky tongue - when they swim they will swallow air to make themselves float - fall 6 ft to the ground when they are born - tallest of all land animals - each step is 15 ft long

Follow The Tracks Small Group Activity LESSON SEVEN God provides forgiveness when we ask for it! Purpose: This activity will teach the kids how to find verses in the Bible and to apply today s Bible Verse to their lives. Description: The children will follow the tracks to find the Bible Verse and read it out of the Bible. Materials needed: For this activity you will need this help sheet, and the Bible Tracks Lesson 7 from the Lesson Materials CD Rom. For each child you will need a Bible. Note: To add to the activity you could have each Small Group leader place their Tracks in the room so that the kids can follow them to where they will have small group. To introduce the activity say: 1. We are going to follow these animal tracks to find today s Bible Verse. 2. Each track will lead us closer and closer to the verse. For detailed instructions on how to do the activity see the DVD. Note: Make sure each child has a Bible. As you go through the clues, talk to the children about how the Bible is made up of different types of books (history, poetry, prophecy, gospels, letters) and each book is organized into chapters and verses. During the activity say the following: 1. Let s look at the clues in order and track down our verse in your Bible. If you need help, I will help you. 2. Clue 1 says our verse is found in the second half of the Bible called the New Testament. 3. Clue 2 says that our verse is in a letter to all churches. That eliminates the Gospels, Acts, and letters to specific churches. 4. Clue 3 says that our verse comes from a book written by a disciple known as the disciple that Jesus loved. He was one of Jesus closest disciples and also wrote a Gospel that tells about the life of Jesus on Earth. 5. Clue 4 says that our verse comes from a book that starts with the number one and the letter J. 6. Clue 5 says that our chapter is half of 2. 7. Clue 6 says that our verse number is 10 1. Note: Have a child read the verse out loud from the Bible, or read the verse out loud yourself. 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. (NLT) After the activity say: 1. Our verse tells us that God is ready to forgive us anytime we turn to Him and ask for forgiveness. 2. We don t have to carry around the guilt and weight of sin. We can confess it to God and He will always forgive us. 3. We should also ask for forgiveness from people when we do something that hurts them. Summary: We need to remember to apologize and ask for forgiveness whenever we mess up. When we hurt people, we need to apologize to them and ask for God s forgiveness.

Zooplosion

Lizard Zooplosion LESSON 7 in the Second half of the Bible - the new Testament Is a letter to all churches Written by the disciple that Jesus loved a book that starts with the number one and letter J The Chapter number is half of two The verse Number equals 10-1 Bible Tracks

SAy It Like You Mean It Small Group Activity LESSON Seven God provides forgiveness when we ask for it! Purpose: This activity will give your kids an opportunity to practice apologizing in different situations. Description: The children will play a board game in which they have to act out situations where they might have to apologize. Materials needed: For this activity you will need this help sheet, a numbered cube, the Say It Like You Mean It Board Game Lesson 7, and the Say It Like You Mean It Cards Lesson 7 from the Lesson Materials CD Rom. To introduce the activity say: 1. We are going to play a board game called Say It Like You Mean It. 2. I will divide you into two teams to play. 3. On your turn you will move one space on the board. Then you will draw a Say It Like You Mean It card. 4. On the card is a situation where you might have to apologize. 5. You will choose a partner from your team and act out the apology. 6. Then if you can think of an action that you could do to back up your apology you will get to roll the numbered cube and move the number of spaces that it says. 7. If you can t think of an action, your turn is over. 8. The team that gets to the end first wins. During the activity say the following: 1. Draw a card and I will read the situation. Note: Help the kids get the right words to apologize. For example: I m sorry I did that, I was wrong. Not I m sorry you are mad. 2. Can you think of an action that you could do to back up your apology? Note: Actions should be something that makes up for the mistake, or that is just something nice to do for the other person to show that you didn t mean to hurt them. After the activity say: 1. It s not always easy to apologize. 2. In fact, sometimes we need to practice what to say and how to say it. 3. When we apologize, we need to mean it, and back it up with actions. Summary: We need to remember God will provide forgiveness when we ask for it and we should forgive others and ask them to forgive us. For detailed instructions on how to do the activity see the DVD.

You bumped into someone at school and spilled their books and papers on the floor. You promised to walk the dog, but didn t. You lied to your teacher and told her that your homework was stolen. You pretended to be asleep until your parents went to bed, then you got up and watched TV. You told the new kid that you didn t want him to play on your team. You spilled soda on your sister s favorite dress. Say It Like You Mean It Cards You were doing a trick on a friend s bike and crashed it and bent the front wheel. You made fun of a friend s new shirt. You kept your tithe and bought candy for you and your friends. You were supposed to stay with your little brother after school, but you ran out to play with your friends and left him home alone. You were supposed to wash the dishes, but you played video games instead. You knocked your dad s coffee out of his hand onto the floor. Zooplosion Lesson 7

You stepped on a friend s toy car and broke it. You locked your mom s keys in the car. Say It Like You Mean It Cards You called someone a bad name. You dropped your dad s cell phone and cracked the screen. Zooplosion Lesson 7

Fred The Forgiven Small Group Activity LESSON Seven God provides Forgiveness When We Ask For It! Purpose: This activity will show the children that it is important to apologize and ask for forgiveness, and that they should back up apologies with action. Description: The children will hear a story about Fred, who learns that it is important to ask for forgiveness. Materials needed: For this activity you will need this help sheet. To introduce the activity say: 1. All of you probably know what to do when you mess up. 2. What should you do when you hurt someone or make a mistake? (Say you are sorry, ask for forgiveness.) 3. We should ask for forgiveness. But what if we never did that? I want to tell you a story today about a boy named Fred. 4. Fred is having a hard time because he doesn t know how to apologize and ask for forgiveness. For detailed instructions on how to do the activity see the DVD. During the activity say the following: 1. When Fred comes to a situation where he should apologize, I will say, Fred didn t know what to do. Then I want you to say, Apologize and ask for forgiveness. 2. Then I will ask you how Fred could back up his apology with action. Fred The Forgiven Fred had some great friends. Percival, Violet, Aaron, and Sharla. Fred was at Sharla s house watching a movie. Sharla asked if Fred wanted some soda. Sure, Fred said. Do you have cherry flavor? Sure I do, said Sharla. It s my favorite. I ll be right back. Sharla paused the movie and went to the kitchen. Fred stared at the TV and wondered what was about to happen. He picked up the remote control and started the movie. Sharla came back and set down Fred s soda. There was only one cherry flavor left. Sharla said. Hey, you started the movie while I was gone Sharla looked upset. Fred paused the movie. Yeah, that last scene was hilarious. One guy totally flops down in the mud. Fred flopped on the couch to show Sharla what happened. His foot kicked out and hit the cherry soda that Sharla had just set down for him. The can flipped and landed on the floor. Cherry soda splattered on the TV and gushed out of the can onto the carpet. Fred was still laughing at the scene from the movie, but he stopped when he saw how angry Sharla was. Fred! Sharla yelled. Fred looked at Sharla and the TV and the soda splattered and soaking into the carpet. He realized that Sharla had given him her last cherry soda when it was her favorite. He also realized that he had selfishly kept watching the movie while she was out of the room. And he realized that he had kicked over the soda while acting out the part of the movie that she missed. Fred didn t know what to do. (Apologize and ask for forgiveness!) 1. What should Fred say to apologize? (I m sorry I didn t wait for you and that I spilled the soda.) 2. What should Fred do to back up his apology with action? (Help clean up the soda, and rewind the movie.)

Fred The Forgiven Small Group Activity LESSON SEVEN God provides Forgiveness When We Ask For It! Sharla ran back to the kitchen, grabbed a towel, and started trying to clean up the soda. Fred said, Uh, I guess we can watch the rest of the movie later. Sharla glared at him angrily. Bye, Sharla. Fred mumbled as he left. Thanks for the soda. Fred left Sharla s house and walked to the park. Fred thought, Well, at least I still have Percival, Violet, and Aaron for my friends. Percival, Violet, and Aaron were at the park. We need a fourth person to play football, Fred. said Aaron. Be on my team. We can t lose. Fred joined the group to play some football. Aaron was quarterback and Fred was the receiver. Hut! shouted Aaron. Fred ran as fast as he could toward the goal line while Percival covered him. Violet had to count down from five before she could try to tackle Aaron. When I get to one, I m gonna bury you, Aaron! Five! Four! Three!.. Fred ran faster as Violet counted down. Aaron threw a long pass just as Violet tackled him. Fred and Percival both jumped up for the ball. Fred caught it, but when he came down his elbow smashed Percival in the face. They both tumbled to the ground. Touchdown! Yelled Aaron! Aaron got up and ran down to Fred. I told you we couldn t lose! He helped Fred up. Violet went to Percival. Are you okay? She asked. Percival sat up. His nose was bleeding and his face was bruised. I can keep playing, guys. Percival said as he stood up. But then he couldn t keep his balance. Aaron and Violet helped hold him up. Fred looked at his friend s face. He knew that he had hurt Percival. But Fred didn t know what to say. (Apologize and ask for forgiveness!) 1. What should Fred say to apologize? (I m sorry Percival. I didn t mean to hurt you.) 2. What should Fred do to back up his apology with action? (Help Percival get home safely and take care of his nose.) Well it s seven to zero, your ball. Fred said. Kick off from that end. Fred pointed to the other end of the park. Violet looked really angry. I oughtta pound you, Fred! said Violet. Aaron looked at Fred and shook his head. Totally uncool, man. What s wrong with you? said Aaron. Aaron and Violet helped Percival walk home. And Fred went home too. When Fred got there his mother was waiting for him. Young man, she said. You have a lot of explaining to do. Did you eat an ice-cream bar before you left the house today? Yes, said Fred. I always have an ice-cream bar on Saturday. But you don t always leave the freezer door open! When I came home this afternoon, all the ice and icecream and food in the freezer is melted and ruined. I looked for you and then I called some of your friends to see where you were and I found out about what happened at Sharla s house and to poor Percival at the park. What is wrong with you today? Fred thought about all of the things that he had done wrong that day. I know I messed up a lot today. I guess Sharla, Percival, Violet, and Aaron won t be my friends anymore. And now you are angry with me too. When things like that happen, I just don t know what to say. (Apologize and ask for forgiveness!) 1. What should Fred say to apologize? (I m sorry I didn t close the freezer door. I didn t mean leave it open.) 2. What should Fred do to back up his apology with action? (Help clean up the water and soda, and ice cream.)

Fred The Forgiven Small Group Activity LESSON SEVEN God provides Forgiveness When We Ask For It! Fred, Said Fred s mom. When you have done something wrong or hurt someone you should always apologize and ask them to forgive you. If you had apologized to your friends and asked them to forgive you, I m sure they would have done it. When you don t even apologize you are hurting your friends again. Now what do you have to say to me? I m sorry, Mom. Fred said. I didn t mean to leave the freezer open. Will you forgive me? I forgive you, honey. Said Fred s Mom. You can put your apology into action by helping me mop the floor. But before you do that you need to get on the phone and apologize to your friends. I ll do that. Said Fred. While you are at it, ask them to come over for a cookout. Your dad is cooking up the meat that thawed out from the freezer. After the activity say: 1. Do you think that when Fred calls his friends they will forgive him? (Yes.) 2. Why is it important to apologize? (God wants us to, it hurts people s feelings more if we don t.) Summary: Whenever you do something wrong, make a mistake, or hurt someone, you should apologize, ask for forgiveness, and put your apology into action.

Sin Backpack Small Group Activity LESSON Seven God provides forgiveness when we ask for it! Purpose: This activity will show the kids that they don t have to carry the guilt of sin around with them. They can ask for forgiveness at any time. Description: Two children will act out an object lesson in which one of them gets weighed down by the guilt of sin and one asks for forgiveness. Materials needed: For this activity you will need this help sheet, two backpacks, some large heavy rocks or other type of weight, and some taped lines on the floor. To introduce the activity say: 1. When a person becomes a Christ follower, we know that person will ultimately go to heaven because Jesus paid for their sin on the cross. 2. But, even after choosing to follow Jesus, we will still sin and mess up. 3. Even as believers, sin can bog us down with guilt and worry. 4. We might even be embarrassed about our sin and not want to talk to God about it. 5. But the good news is that every time we sin, we can ask for forgiveness and God will forgive us right then. For detailed instructions on how to do the activity see the DVD. During the activity say the following: 1. I want two volunteers to help me demonstrate something. 2. Each of you will wear a back pack. 3. You will start on this line and try to walk to that line. 4. I will stop you and read some situations where you make a bad choice and sin. 5. One of you will confess your sin and ask for forgiveness immediately and one of you will not. 6. Ready, Go. Note: Read the situations and put a heavy rock in each back pack. Then ask them if they will ask for forgiveness. Take the rock out of the back pack worn by the one who asks forgiveness. Situation 1: Your parents tell you not to watch a certain TV show, but you secretly watch it anyway. Situation 2: You haven t studied for a test and you cheat off of someone else s paper. Situation 3: You get mad at your brother and call him some bad names. Situation 4: You steal a candy bar from a store when the owner is not looking. Situation 5: You keep your tithe and buy ice cream with it instead. After the activity say: 1. Both of you made it to the end of the journey, but who had the better trip? Was it better to carry all those heavy rocks, or better to have an empty back pack? (Better to have an empty backpack.) 2. When you are a believer in Jesus you will still sin. And that sin can weigh you down with guilt, worry, and embarrassment. 3. But Jesus doesn t want you to carry around all that sin and guilt. 4. Anytime we sin and make a mistake Jesus is right there waiting for us to ask for forgiveness. Summary: We should not let sin weigh us down with guilt. If we ask Jesus to forgive us, He will not only take away the sin and guilt, but He can show a better way to live.

FAMILY DEVOTIONAL FAMILY DEVOTIONAL As a family, complete these activities and circle the ones you completed. Have your child put their name on this sheet and turn it back in the next time they come. As a family, complete these activities and circle the ones you completed. Have your child put their name on this sheet and turn it back in the next time they come. Lesson 7 Lesson 7 Child s Name: Child s Name: pig True/False: pig True/False: 1. True/False: A pig can get a sun burn. 2. True/False: Pigs don t have a good sense of smell. 3. True /False: Pigs are very intelligent. God Provides Forgiveness When We Ask For It! 1. True/False: A pig can get a sun burn. 2. True/False: Pigs don t have a good sense of smell. 3. True /False: Pigs are very intelligent. ANSWERS: 1. True 2. False: They have a highly developed sense of smell. 3. True: A pig can actually pick up tricks faster than a dog. God Provides Forgiveness When We Ask For It! ANSWERS: 1. True 2. False: They have a highly developed sense of smell. 3. True: A pig can actually pick up tricks faster than a dog. Bible Verse Bible Verse Bible Story Bible Story This week s Bible Verse tells us that God is faithful to forgive us of our sins when we ask Him. I John 1:9 In our lesson this week we imagined what the story of the Prodigal Son would have been like if the son hadn t come home and asked for forgiveness. As a family, read the actual story of the son returning home in Luke 15:11-32. Write it Down Have each member of the family write out a list or draw pictures of things they have done wrong and needed forgiveness for. Then, find a way to completely destroy the paper. As you are doing this, talk to your children about how God forgives us of our sins. Together as a family, read Psalm 103:12. Just like we can t read these papers any more, God doesn t remember our sins anymore. However, we still suffer consequences from our sins, but that doesn t mean God didn t forgive us. God will forgive us of our sins, but we will still have consequences from our sins. Game of Grace As a family play a game of dodge ball or duck-duck goose. Play the game like you typically would. Part way through the game, one member of the family gets to call Grace. When someone calls grace everyone who has been tagged out gets to experience grace and come back into the game. After you ve finished the game, talk about how great it was to be offered grace and allowed back in the game. Just like we were offered grace in this game, God continually shows us grace and gives us second chances. This week s Bible Verse tells us that God is faithful to forgive us of our sins when we ask Him. I John 1:9 In our lesson this week we imagined what the story of the Prodigal Son would have been like if the son hadn t come home and asked for forgiveness. As a family, read the actual story of the son returning home in Luke 15:11-32. Write it Down Have each member of the family write out a list or draw pictures of things they have done wrong and needed forgiveness for. Then, find a way to completely destroy the paper. As you are doing this, talk to your children about how God forgives us of our sins. Together as a family, read Psalm 103:12. Just like we can t read these papers any more, God doesn t remember our sins anymore. However, we still suffer consequences from our sins, but that doesn t mean God didn t forgive us. God will forgive us of our sins, but we will still have consequences from our sins. Game of Grace As a family play a game of dodge ball or duck-duck goose. Play the game like you typically would. Part way through the game, one member of the family gets to call Grace. When someone calls grace everyone who has been tagged out gets to experience grace and come back into the game. After you ve finished the game, talk about how great it was to be offered grace and allowed back in the game. Just like we were offered grace in this game, God continually shows us grace and gives us second chances.