Hands-on Faith for Families – Week of May 1, 2023
Theme: Be Honest with God
Lying About Sin
Scripture: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8)
Play: Play a game of “Totuto’s Excuses.” Have one person tell about something bad that Totuto might do, such as cheating on a test. Then have everyone make up an excuse as if to justify the bad behavior. Silly, ridiculous excuses make the activity more fun, such as the reason why Totuto cheated on the test was because the invisible, man-eating lion next to him in the classroom wanted the right answer to question seven, and Totuto knew he didn’t have it. Once the excuses are done, have the first person tell what Totuto should do to make up for the bad behavior, regardless of whether he was caught.
Talk: Even though silly excuses can make us laugh, they do not justify wrong behavior. Most excuses are an attempt to justify actions. Many are lies. We make excuses to make ourselves look good, but the reality is that our wrong behaviors make us sinners. God says all of us are sinners (Romans 3:23). If we say we never sin, we are actually lying to ourselves (1 John 1:8). God wants us to admit our wrong behavior, instead of trying to make excuses. Once we admit we’re sinners, we will know we need a Savior. How do you know you are a sinner?
Pray: Thank God that we can come to Him for forgiveness when we sin.
— Jolene Ceravalo
Copyright © 2014 by Focus on the Family. www.focusonthefamily.com
