Lesson 10: I Can Forgive I Can Forgive
Background for the Catechist
Please take 10 minutes to reflect on the following introduc on to this lesson. Reflection/Doctrinal Reference
Mercy can penetrate our hearts only if we ourselves learn how to forgive – even our enemies. Now even if it seems impossible for us to sa sfy this requirement, the heart that offers itself to the Holy Spirit can, like Christ, love even to love’s extreme; it can turn injury into compassion and transform hurt into intercession. Forgiveness par cipates in the divine mercy and is a high‐point of Chris an prayer (CCCC, n. 595). The human need to forgive and be forgiven is a need in each of us. God constantly reaches out to forgive all people. Jesus shows this forgiveness in his rela onships with both friends and those who opposed him. Jesus reminds his followers that there is no limit to how o en forgiveness is to be given. Through experiences of forgiveness in our lives, we con nue on this journey of reconcilia on. When we forgive others and accept their forgiveness we show that we are part of this life of Jesus Christ. God is always ready to forgive us and to help us con nue in the life of Jesus Christ, his Son. I can forgive by celebra ng and passing on the forgiveness of God. Student Focus
The experience of forgiveness is a powerful contact with Christ’s forgiveness. The children’s experi‐
ence of forgiveness is primarily within the situa ons of parents, family, friends and peer groups. They know the unrest and aliena on of broken situa ons, as well as the peace and joy a er work‐
ing through to forgiveness. Prayers and celebra ons of forgiveness and healing are important in the life of the class. Purpose of Lesson
As followers of Jesus we grow in our ability to forgive and be forgiven. Remembering Point
I can forgive and be forgiven. Lesson adapted from Preparing to Receive the Sacrament of Penance Abbrevia on: CCCC Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church The Good News of Jesus – 3 / 4 Year A 1 Catechist Sheets Lesson 10: I Can Forgive Beginning
Preparation
(3 minutes) 1. Prayer focus: cloth, candle or an electric tea light Bible opened at Mt 18: 21–22. Welcome the students as usual. Gather the students round the prayer focus. Invite the students to get 2. Pens & pencils. ready for prayer by being s ll and closing their eyes. 3. Student sheets. Catechist: Let us pray together All: In the name of the Father … Catechist: Repeat a er me: God, our Father, Students: God, our Father, Catechist: I am sorry Students: I am sorry Catechist: for all the mes Students: for all the mes Catechist: I have done wrong. Students: I have done wrong. Catechist: Help me not to do the wrong thing again. Amen. Students: Help me not to do the wrong thing again. Amen. Middle
(22 minutes) Tell the story of Sienna and Ruby. Sienna and Ruby Forgive Sienna and Ruby were best friends. They’d been friends for years, had been together in the same class last year and had shared many good mes together. Some mes they rode together to school and they always played together at lunch me. Everyone knew they were friends. One day, they were playing with Ruby’s electronic game. Sienna became angry when she lost, so angry in fact that she threw down the game, breaking it. Now both girls were angry. They called each other names. They didn’t ride to school or play together for a whole week. Sienna talked to her mum about what had happened and her mum suggested she think about how she and Ruby could be friends again. The next day, Sienna waited at her gate for Ruby. When Ruby came along and saw her friend she felt scared because she didn’t know what to do. Then Sienna said, ‘I’m sorry’ and Ruby said, ‘I’m sorry, too’. They were friends again and rode to school The Good News of Jesus – 3 / 4 Year A 2 Catechist Sheets Lesson 10: I Can Forgive together. At lunch me they played together and everything was back to normal Ask the students: · Sienna and Ruby shared many good mes together. How did they miss the mark in choosing not to be faithful to what God wanted? (Sienna reacted badly to losing the game and damaged Ruby’s electronic game.) · What were the girls’ feelings a er the fight? (Angry, upset, …) · What were some of the feelings when the girls met next me? (scared, possibly unsure of what would happen, hopeful, …) · How was Sienna’s mother a help in the situa on? (Helped Sienna think about what had happened and whether she wanted the friendship.) Then ask: How did the girls hit the mark of choosing to be faithful to what God wanted? (By saying sorry and making up with each other.) Tell the students: By saying sorry the girls were asking each other for forgiveness. Whenever we say sorry we are asking for forgiveness. The peace and happiness Sienna and Ruby felt when they had forgiven each other shows us something of God’s love, which helps us to grow. Ask the students: How do you feel when you say sorry? Tell the students: In the story of Peter and Jesus, Peter wanted to know how o en he should forgive those who hurt him. Jesus told him he should forgive all the me. Hand out the student sheets and invite the students to follow the story at the top of the page as you read Ma hew 18: 21–22. Tell the students: Jesus forgave people. He knew that his father always forgives. God, our Father, wants us to forgive all the people who hurt us, too. Invite the students to draw a picture of someone forgiving them in the space provided on their worksheet. End
(3 minutes) Gather the students with the student sheet around the prayer focus and pray together one of the prayers of sorrow . Catechist: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Let us pray together: All: Lord Jesus you came to show people how to love God, our Father, and how to live in peace with each other. Please forgive me and help me to live more like you. The Good News of Jesus – 3 / 4 Year A 3 Catechist Sheets Lesson 10: I Can Forgive Or Preparation
All: Loving Father, some mes I fail to live as Jesus showed us. I want to say sorry to you and to those I’ve hurt. I am glad that you want to forgive me and to help me keep on growing as your friend. Catechist: We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord, All: Amen. The Good News of Jesus – 3 / 4 Year A 4 Catechist Sheets