If you consider me a friend because of Christ, then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. (Philemon 1:17)

Transcription

1 All Grades July 1 Philemon Bible Verse If you consider me a friend because of Christ, then welcome Onesimus as you would welcome me. (Philemon 1:17) Teacher Enrichment This is the tenth lesson in the Character Stories series which encounters characters from both the Old and New Testament; some very well-known and others you may have never met. Each week will explore the actions, motivations and experiences of a character and determine what that person s story teaches us about how God wants us to live. Paul had converted Philemon to the Christian faith and helped Philemon start a church in his town. After Paul had moved on to other cities, one of Philemon s slaves, Onesimus, ran away and stole money from Philemon. As luck would have it, Onesimus ended up in the same town as Paul and once again, Paul created a convert; this time with Onesimus. Paul wants Onesimus to return to Philemon to help with the church there, but this will require Philemon to truly forgive Onesimus and accept him as a friend. Not an easy task. Children know firsthand that forgiveness can be difficult. This lesson will teach them that God wants us to forgive others. Welcome Greet each child individually as they arrive. Introduce yourself by name. Encourage children to complete a Joy or Concern card if they have a particular joy or concern they would like to express or a Time or Talent offering card if they gave their time to God or used their talents to serve God or others during the previous week. If children bring monetary offering, they should keep it with them. Direct children to complete a Forgiveness coloring sheet.

2 Encourage conversation among the children and with you! Get to know the children in your group by asking about their week including activities and families. Introduce new children to each other and encourage friendships. Children s Worship The Children s Worship Leader will direct the class to leave their tables and sit in the carpet area. Encourage children to participate in Children s Worship and provide re-direction if necessary. Small Groups Balloon Forgiveness Game (K/1st) Provide each child with a button to use as a game piece. Place cards face down in a pile. Explain the rules of the game: Players all begin at Start. First player rolls the dice, moves to a balloon and follows the directions. Pick a Card: pick a card and read and answer the question. (You will likely need to help children read the cards) Each player takes a turn until someone reaches the end. Every answer is correct. Help children understand that they should forgive. Forgiving Hearts Game (2 nd /3 rd ) Game Play board contains right half broken hearts, mad faces and happy faces. All cards are facing in (blank side out so you can t see cards) Team 1 board contains left half broken hearts 1, 2 and 3. Team 2 board contains left half broken hearts 4, 5, and 6. Divide children into two teams. Children take turns selecting a card from the Game Play board. Mad Face Place on Team s board. Happy Face Keep on Game Play board, face out

3 Broken Heart If the heart matches one of the team s hearts, emcee reads scenario. If team provides an answer, they match the broken heart half on their board creating a whole heart. If the heart does not match the team s hearts, turn back over and keep on the Game Play board. First team to turn all their broken hearts into whole hearts before getting three mad faces wins. Forgiveness Skits (4 th /5 th ) Provide children with copies of the skits. Explain that the beginning portion of the skit is provided and they must create the end with the concept of forgiveness in mind. Allow children to break into groups of two or three and choose a skit or two to create. Appropriate props are also provided. Children will be asked to perform their skits in front of the large group at the end of class.

4 Balloon Forgiveness Game

5 Forgiving Hearts Game

6 Forgiving Hearts Game

7 Forgiveness Skits Skit 1 Game Over Billy and Jane are playing a board game together. Billy: I love playing Swamp Monster, it s so much fun. Jane: Me too. I m glad you asked me to play it. Billy chooses a card from the stack. Billy: Move forward 3 spaces. (Moves game piece) Awesome, I m almost to the end. Jane chooses a card from the stack Jane: Move backward 4 spaces. (Moves game piece) No fair! I m stuck in the swamp for three turns! This game stinks! Jane picks up game board and flips it over causing all the pieces and cards to go flying. Jane: I quit! Jane stomps off. Billy: Man, Jane ruined the game. I never want to play with her again. Narrator: Two days later (Or use a poster board with words on it) Jane knocks on Billy s door. Billy answers door. Jane: Hi Billy, do you want to play today? We could play Swamp Monster again. How does the skit continue?

8 Forgiveness Skits Skit 2 Dear Old Dad Joe and Sally are sitting at the table when Dad comes in. Dad (yelling): Who left this backpack on the floor again?! Joe: Not me! Sally: Not me! Dad (still yelling): Well someone did and I tripped over it! I could have fallen and hurt myself! I m tired of finding backpacks on the floor. Sally quietly backs out of the room. Joe: I swear it wasn t me Dad. Dad: Joe, I know you did it. And now you are lying about it too. No electronics for three days and I mean it! Dad stomps out of the room. Joe: It s not fair, I didn t leave the backpack there. No electronics for three days?! Well, I m not talking to Dad for way longer than three days. He s so mean. Narrator: The next morning. Joe is sitting at table. Dad comes into room. Dad: Joe, I found out that it was Sally who left the backpack on the floor. I m sorry I yelled at you and called you a liar. How does the skit continue?

9 Forgiveness Skits Skit 3 Liar, Liar Jill is sitting at her desk. Betty walks into classroom. Jill: Hi Betty! I m glad to see you today. I thought maybe you were out sick and it s no fun when your best friend isn t in school. Betty (says very hesitantly): Yeah, I m glad to see you too Jill. Jill: What s wrong Betty? Betty: I have a confession. You know how the other girls were teasing you yesterday? Jill: Yes, I was upset, but I was glad you were there with me. Betty: Well, I was the one who told them you cried the last time there was a thunderstorm. I know it was a lie! I was just trying to get them to like me and include me in their group. Jill: What? Why would you lie like that! You re supposed to be my best friend! I can t talk to you right now. Jill stomps off Narrator: The next day Jill is sitting at her desk. Betty comes into classroom. How does the skit continue?

10 Forgiveness Skits Skit 4 You Break It, You Buy It Luke is playing video games while his little sister watches Luke: Yes! I score again. I m so glad mom let me buy this game. I ve been saving up forever, but it was worth it. Little Sister: Can I play too? Luke: No, it s too hard for you. And I only have the one controller. I have to save up some more money to buy another one. Little sister tries to take controller, but Luke pulls it away. Luke: Hey! Stop it! I m playing! You ll mess me up. Little sister tries again to take controller, but this time she pulls it out of Luke s hands. It breaks. Little Sister: Uh oh. I think it broke. Luke (yelling): What have you done? You messed up my game AND you broke the controller! Now I can t even play my new game anymore. This is the worst!! Little Sister: I m so sorry. I didn t mean to break it. I ll help you buy a new one. I have some money in my piggy bank. It s only $3, but you can have it. I m sorry Luke. How does the skit continue?