Hands-on Faith for Families – week of July 26, 2021
Theme: Demonstrate God’s Compassion to Others
Friends Need to Ask Forgiveness
Scripture: Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matthew 18:21, 22)
Play: Find a partner. Do the following actions: Pat your thighs once, *clap both hands against your partner’s hands, clap your right hand to your partner’s right hand, clap your left hand to your partner’s left hand, clap both hands against your partner’s hands,* then pat your thighs once. The second time through, repeat the sequence within the asterisks five times before ending with the final pat on your thighs. When you are done, talk about which claps you did well and which ones you messed up.
Talk: We all make mistakes sometimes. One day, Jesus’ close friend Peter made a big mistake. When people were being mean to Jesus, Peter pretended that he didn’t even know who Jesus was. In Luke 22:57, Peter tells a woman, “I don’t know Him.” Twice more he tells people that he is not one of Jesus’ friends. When Peter realized what he had done, he was sorry for his actions. Because Jesus loved Peter, He forgave him. Forgiveness is an important part of all friendships.
Pray: Thank God for His forgiveness and for sending Jesus to wash away your sins.
— Lettie Kirkpatrick Burress
Copyright © 2011 by Focus on the Family. www.focusonthefamily.com
