Summers can be really hard. Having both kids home every day can do a number on our peace and my sanity. Constant bickering over toys and seats and who needs to go to the bathroom more (I kid you not) can leave me feeling frazzled most of the time. With my nerves shot and my patience thin, I must admit, I raise my voice and use less than gentle words a time or two (okay, maybe 10 or 20, but who’s counting?).

But after most outbursts, I pull myself together feeling God’s grace lead me to ask for forgiveness. What a beautiful picture of His redemptive love that uses our shortcomings to teach our children how to live.

I’ll bend down low so they can see my face and understand my heart. “I’m sorry,” I say, “Mommy should not have yelled like that. Do you forgive me?”

And the answer is always yes. Because kids don’t quite yet know how to hold on to things. Their whimsical hearts move on and their developing brains easily forget. What a beautiful picture of His redemptive love that uses our children to teach US how to live.

One of the best ways we can teach our children anything is through modeling. I suppose it’s a good thing I do a stellar job modeling the need for forgiveness. And I’m learning the balance that gives them boundaries while teaching them about the grace that is available when they make mistakes, modeling their opportunity to receive forgiveness.

I’m focusing more and more on teaching my children about forgiveness. The more life experiences they encounter, the more ready they will need to be to offer and accept genuine forgiveness.

 

3 Bible Stories to Teach Kids About Forgiveness

Jesus

Luke 23

“And when they came to the place . . . there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ . . . Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ And having said this he breathed his last.” Luke 23:33-34, 46

You can also ead the story of Jesus’ forgiveness in the  Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids!

Bible Truth: Because of Jesus, I can be forgiven!

Jesus is the reason we can be forgiven and He is the reason we can forgive others. While I don’t want my children to carry an identity of sin and feel a constant need for forgiveness, I want them to understand that we all make mistakes and because of Jesus, we are forgiven when we ask Him. Use the story of Jesus dying on the cross to share the gospel with your child. Even if you’ve shared it before, focus on the fact that nothing they do or say or think can separate them from the love of Jesus. Share that when we come to Him and admit our need for His forgiveness, He responds to us with outstretched arms. Because of Jesus’ example, we know how to respond to others. We love (and forgive) because He first loved (and forgave) us (1 John 4:19).

Related Memory Verse: For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present or things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

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 The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32

Bible Truth: God loves me and welcomes me with open arms!

Because we are part of God’s family, we are forgiven and welcome no matter what. In this story, a man’s son asks for his inheritance then leaves home and squanders it all away. Because of his poor choices, he’s left in great need. When he realizes his mistake, he humbles himself and goes back to his father. He plans to beg that his father will take him back as a servant. Instead, his father welcomes him home as a son.

Use this story to share that we are a part of God’s family . . . we are His children. No matter what we do, He loves us and forgives us. This is not a free pass to do whatever we want but should instead be a great motivation to do what’s right in every situation. When we do make bad choices we are still part of God’s family. Just like parents do not leave their children just because they do something wrong, God does not abandon us. When we realize our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, He is always ready to love us and welcome us home.

Related Memory Verse: See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1

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Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:21-35

Bible Truth: I can forgive others because God forgives me!

Jesus instructs us to forgive others over and over again just like He does for us. He clearly teaches His disciples in this story that they are to forgive “seventy-seven times” or over and over again. Just like His forgiveness doesn’t run out, neither should our own. Use this story to share with your child that we should forgive others just as He forgives us. Jesus provided the way and the model for humility and forgiveness. His example is one we can follow daily because parents, siblings, teachers, friends, and loved ones will make mistakes that affect us.

Spend time helping your child also understand that when they make mistakes that affect others, it is important to humbly ask for forgiveness. We are not responsible for someone else’s willingness or ability to forgive but we can be at peace knowing we recognized our mistake and asked their forgiveness.

Related Memory Verse: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

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Read more Bible stories about forgiveness in the Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids.

Continue the conversation about FORGIVENESS with these Minno episodes:

Holy Moly: Jesus and the Cross

Jesus Storybook Bible: The Sun Stops Shining, God’s Wonderful Surprise

Theo: Forgiveness

What’s in the Bible?: The Messiah Has Come

Holy Moly: The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Jesus Storybook Bible: Running Away

Friends and Heroes: No Way Out

God Rocks! Parable Playhouse: Prodigal Pizza Boy

God Rocks! Parable Playhouse: The Unforgiving Servant