THIRD SUNDAY LESSON
Theme for the Month: THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS
Lesson 3: God’s Forgiveness Frees Us
Key Verse: “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them.” — Mark 11:25
Story Source: Flying is for the Birds (Hartlie comforts Lashley)
Supporting Bible Story: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24)
Memory Verse: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our sins from us.” — Psalm 103:12
Opening Prayer
“Dear Lord, thank You for loving me and forgiving me. Please help me forgive others and also forgive myself, so my heart can be happy and free. Amen.”
Lesson Objectives
By the end of today’s lesson, children will:
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Understand that guilt (the sad, heavy feeling when we do something wrong) makes us unhappy.
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See how Hartlie reminded Lashley that God forgives.
Learn that when God forgives us, we are free and full of joy.
Story Exposition
In the story Flying is for the Birds, Lashley had carried guilt for a long time. Guilt is the sad and heavy feeling we get when we do something wrong and try to hide it. Lashley remembered the day he swallowed a little minnow by mistake; he never told the truth and never forgave himself.
Because of this, Lashley became sadder every year, His feathers turned gray. He lost the joy of flying.
One day, while Lashley was crying by a log, his friend Hartlie comforted him. Lashley finally confessed the secret about the minnow. Even though he had asked God for forgiveness, he still felt too bad to forgive himself.
Hartlie kindly reminded him of 1 John 1:9: “When we confess our sins, God forgives us.” He told Lashley that if God has already forgiven him, he doesn’t need to keep punishing himself.
Upon hearing this, Lashley felt the heavy load lift. His feathers even started to shine pink again, and he felt ready to fly with joy.
Bible Connection: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-24)
The Bible shows us this same freedom in the story of the Prodigal Son. The son made many bad choices and wasted his father’s money. He felt so guilty that he believed his father would never take him back. However, when he returned home, his father ran to him, hugged him, and forgave him completely. Just like Lashley, the son was freed from his guilt to live in joy again.
How We Can Receive and Share God’s Forgiveness
Believe God’s Word: Trust that when you confess, God has truly forgiven you.
Forgive Yourself: Do not keep feeling guilty after God has provided forgiveness.
Forgive Others: Show kindness and forgive your friends and family.
Conclusion
Forgiveness is powerful because it makes heavy hearts light. Guilt grows heavier when we hide it, but accepting God’s love brings freedom. When we accept that we are forgiven, we can live in peace and joy.
Lessons Derived
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God’s forgiveness takes away guilt and brings joy.
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We should forgive ourselves and others because God forgives us.
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Guilt grows heavier when we hide it, but forgiveness makes us free.
Questions
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Why was Lashley so sad in the story?
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What did Hartlie remind him about God’s forgiveness?
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How did the Prodigal Son’s father show forgiveness?
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(Reflection) Have you ever found it hard to forgive yourself? What helped you?
Prayer Focus
“Lord, thank You for forgiving me. Please help me forgive others and forgive myself, so I can live with peace and joy.”
Weekly Devotional Reading
| Day | Scripture | Topic |
| Monday |
Luke 15:11–13 |
The son makes wrong choices. |
| Tuesday |
Luke 15:14–16 |
He suffers because of his mistakes. |
| Wednesday |
Luke 15:17–19 |
He decides to go back home. |
| Thursday |
Luke 15:20 |
The father runs to forgive him. |
| Friday |
Luke 15:21–24 |
The son is restored with joy. |
| Saturday |
Psalm 103:12 |
God removes our sins far away. |
Assignment
Hartlie showed love by listening and reminding Lashley of God’s Word. This week, find a friend or family member who feels sad or guilty. Be kind to them, remind them that God loves and forgives them, and write about it in your devotion journal.
