God Took Our Sins Upon Himself

Dear Parents, Guardians, Teachers:

Our lesson last Sunday was about how Jesus healed a paralyzed man. But, before He healed him, Jesus forgave his sins first. Forgiveness is a hard concept for children to understand and it is an even harder concept for them to put into action.

This Bible Lesson is designed to introduce children to the concept of forgiveness. To forgive means to cancel the debt an individual owes because he or she committed an offense. God is the ultimate Forgiver, and He forgives on the basis of Jesus’ shed blood on the cross. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24). Even young children can begin to grasp the concept of forgiveness, as well as its importance.

Memory Verse:

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

1 Peter 2:24

Bible Lesson:

When Christ died for our sins, he took our punishment for us. Read 1 Peter 2:24 with your students:

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

Show the students how God’s forgiveness removes sin by performing the following experiment:

Materials Needed:
1. A plate
2. A glass
3. water
4. food coloring
5. a candle

Directions:

First, mix a few drops of food coloring into the water and pour some of the colored water onto the plate. Then, place the candle in the center of the plate and light it. Finally, as you explain that how Jesus took our sins upon Himself as he died on the cross, place the glass over the candle, and watch as the water rises into the glass, leaving the plate clean. Below is a video on this illustration:

Learning Activities After the Lesson

1. Here’s a supplemental lesson on forgiveness your kids might want to watch:

2. Your kids can also do this forgiveness maze below:

Sources: Better Bible Teachers, Douglas Talks, Truth:78