Key Question: How can we be forgiven?
Bible Background: Mark 2:1-12
Key Verse: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Lesson Focus: Kids will learn that only Jesus can forgive.
CHECK-IN TIME: Share your “highs and lows” from the past week .
BIBLE MARKING: Help your kids find today’s Bible story in their Bibles (Spark Bible, pp. 1101-1102).
Read the story aloud.
How do you think you would have felt seeing Jesus forgive the man's sins and then heal him?
Jesus tells the people that forgiving the man's sins is the greatest thing he could do for the sick man. Jesus forgives your sins, too. The Bible tells us,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
How does knowing that God forgives you make you feel? Explain.
How do you know that God’s forgiveness really takes away your sins? Explain.
How would you explain God’s forgiveness to someone who had never heard about it?
God’s forgiveness is awesome. It’s like being cured from the worst disease ever discovered.
But while it’s great knowing about forgiveness, that isn’t enough. We have to realize that we have a need to be forgiven and then ask God to forgive us.
BIBLE APPLICATION ACTIVITY: Forgiveness Billboards
Supplies: Large poster paper, markers
We are going to work together to create a bi llboard telling others about God’s forgiveness.
Your job is to create the perfect slogan to share God’s forgiveness.
Have students brainstorm and work together to create their billboards. For example, the billboard might read “JESUS FORGIVES. Don’t miss your deepest need!”
Once your billboard is complete, bring it to the Jungle Room to be displayed.
CLOSING BLESSING/PRAYER:
Have students share prayer concerns.
Explain that you are going to start and end the prayer and that kids will have a chance to pray silently in the middle.

PRAY : Dear God, thank you for promising to forgive us when we confess our sins to you. We’d like to tell you we’re sorry for these things.
Thank you for lov ing us no matter what. We love you, too. In Jesus’ name, amen.