SECOND SUNDAY LESSON

Theme for the Month: THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS

“If you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive you your sins.” — Mark 11:25

Lesson 2: Choosing Repentance

Key Verse: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” — Colossians 3:13 

Story Source:Flying is for the Birds (Carpie goes back to the minnows)

Supporting Bible Story: Zacchaeus Changes His Heart (Luke 19:1-10)

Memory Verse: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” — Colossians 3:13

Opening Prayer

“Dear Lord, when I do something wrong, help me to be honest. Teach me not only to say ‘I’m sorry’ but also to show it with my actions. Amen.”

Lesson Objectives

By the end of today’s lesson, children will:

• Understand that repentance means saying sorry and showing it by doing right.

• See how Carpie showed repentance by going back to the minnows.

• Learn from Zacchaeus that a changed heart leads to changed actions.

Story Exposition

In the story Flying is for the Birds, Carpie and Lashley made a terrible mistake while playing a game with the little minnow. Lashley swallowed the minnow by accident. The two friends were so shocked and afraid. When the other minnows came looking, both Carpie and Lashley lied and pretended they didn’t know anything.

But things didn’t stay the same. Carpie’s heart felt heavy, and he cried when he got home. He later told his mother the truth. That was the beginning of his healing. Still, he felt in his heart that he needed to do more. He couldn’t just keep quiet—he had to face the minnows and make things right.

Bible Connection: Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)

The Bible gives us another example in Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was a tax collector who took money unfairly from people. Everyone disliked him. But when Jesus came to his town, Zacchaeus climbed a tree just to see Him. Jesus looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down. I must stay at your house today.

That love changed Zacchaeus’ heart! He said, “Lord, I will give half of my money to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay them back four times as much.” Just like Carpie, Zacchaeus showed his repentance by action. He didn’t just say “sorry”—he changed what he was doing wrong.

How We Can Show Repentance

Say “I’m Sorry” Honestly – Repentance starts with truthful words. 

Fix What You Can – If you broke someone’s toy, help repair it or replace it. ⁴⁴If you hurt someone, show kindness to make it right.

Change Your Ways – Decide not to do the wrong thing again.

Conclusion

Repentance is like turning around when you are going the wrong way. Carpie turned around when he went back to the minnows. Zacchaeus turned around when he gave back money and helped the poor. When we truly repent, our hearts change, our actions change, and God forgives us. Repentance brings freedom, peace, and joy.

Lessons Derived

Repentance is more than words—it is actions that show change. When we repent, God forgives and gives us peace.

Questions

1. What did Carpie do to show repentance in the story?

2. How did Zacchaeus prove that his heart had changed?

3. (Reflection) Can you think of a time when you not only said “I’m sorry” but also tried to make things right?

Prayer Focus

“Lord, help me to always repent when I do wrong. Teach me to be honest, to make things right, and to walk in Your forgiveness.”

Weekly Devotional Reading

Day	Scripture	Topic
Monday	Luke 19:1–4	Zacchaeus wants to see Jesus.
Tuesday	Luke 19:5–7	Jesus calls Zacchaeus.
Wednesday	Luke 19:8	Zacchaeus repents and makes things right.
Thursday	Luke 19:9–10	Jesus brings salvation to his house.
Friday	Psalm 103:8	God is merciful and forgiving.
Saturday	1 John 1:9	God forgives when we confess.

Assignment

This week, if you do something wrong, don’t just say “sorry.” Find one way to make it right. Write it in your devotion journal and bring it next Sunday.

Would you like me to help you draft a response to the reflection question or create a template for the devotion journal assignment?