Grades K – 2 Lesson Plans for the Year of Mercy

1. OPENING PRAYER- SIGN LANGUAGE: “Forgive everyone.” For visual demonstrations, see commtechlab.msu.edu/Sites/aslweb/browser.htm. Each time we say today’s Verse, let’s say it with two hand motions:

“Forgive” In a downward, sweeping motion, the left hand brushes across the upturned palm of the right hand. “Everyone.” (Each + one) Right hand’s “A” hand shape (closed hand) moves down left hand’s “A” hand shape. Then raise right index finger.

*Write on the board to say together; use pictures or symbols to help those who do not read for word association. Or pass out copies of the prayer to say together. Love

God of

Love

, you teach us to

World

your

Animals

With all of its’ Like Help us to

. People

and beautiful

.

Love each other, Lead us to

Anger , and not

Let us remember to Forgive EVERYONE! Amen.

.

1. Object Talk on Mercy- In order to prepare for this talk, you will need a shallow baking pan, like a 9x13 glass pan. Fill it with just under an inch of water and add about 5 drops of red dye. Stir and make sure the water is red. You will also need a regular paper, this paper must have the word FORGIVEN written on it in WHITE CRAYON. The paper will not look any different. a. Does anyone know what Mercy is? Mercy means to say you forgive someone who hurt you. Many times in our lives we get hurt by our sisters or brothers, we know it is not an accident and it hurts us deeply. But when we do not hurt them back and we take a deep breath after they say they are sorry then let it go. That is forgiveness. b. What are some of the things you have done wrong where you needed forgiveness? Write them in pencil on the White paper with the word Forgiven on it. c. After a few minutes, tell the story of Jesus. Jesus was our Savior. He came so we could have everlasting life. But we had so many sins, how could we be like Jesus and enter Heaven when we hurt people? Well, Jesus took it upon himself to give up his life. He gave himself on the Cross so that all people could have forgiveness of all their sins and have everlasting life in heaven. d. So when we ask for forgiveness from Jesus, (DUNK PAPER- THEN LIFT IT OUT) We are forgiven. e. We are called to be just like Jesus and Forgive just as he has forgiven us. So ask for forgiveness and be forgiving.

2. CRAFT: BIG LOVE - BIG HUG Purpose: To challenge children to show the love of Christ through kindness and forgiveness.

Supplies: Colorful, sturdy, standard-size paper or Colored Construction Paper, yarn, tape, crayons or markers, optional: heart stickers Prepare: Print small note on colorful paper to tape on hand print that says:

Stretch my hands wide to show Jesus’ love. Wrap my arms around you to feel my hug! Optional: For larger groups, teachers may wish to cut 36” lengths of yarn before class. Smaller groups may want to trace and cut out each child’s handprints as they arrive. Directions: 1. Child will cut out 2 hand prints and decorate. 2. Teacher assists child in initialing his or her pair of handprints and taping on Colorful note. 3. Child stretches his or her arms as wide as possible. Teacher measures and cuts a piece of yarn to match the distance from fingertip to fingertip of the child’s outstretched arms. 4. Attach a handprint to each end of the yarn with tape. 5. Child places the pair of handprints connected with yarn.

Craft Discussion: Let’s see how far apart you can spread your arms. Children stretch their arms wide. The love of Jesus is even bigger than that! When you forgive others, you show them how big Jesus’ love is. Spread the hands apart to show them how big and wide the love of Jesus is. Then wrap the hands around them like a great big hug!

3. Read about the Jesus and his Mercy.

Jesus went up on the mountainside, And He sat right down. This is what He taught the crowd, That gathered all around. “Blessed are those who show mercy, For God’s mercy they will see.” When you show mercy that means you forgive. Blessed means happy you’ll be! When you forgive everyone, In all you say and do, You’ll be happy because you’ll see God show the same to you!

*What does Jesus want us to do about those who do wrong against us? FORGIVE EVERYONE (do Sign Language) To show mercy means to forgive. We are blessed when we forgive; God shows His forgiveness to us! 4. If time allows, have child tell teacher what they learned today and put on sticky note to tell parents.

Extra Activity- There is also a coloring page to do or send home. 5. Close with opening prayer again.