2025-06-01 Merciful

Introduction

As we prepare to teach this lesson, let’s pause and reflect on the incredible patiencemercy of God. FromEven thethough dayswe ofsin Noahagainst Him daily, God extends kindness and compassion to today,undeserving Godsinners haslike held backus. His judgmentmercy andisn't extendedjust grace—nota becausefeeling—it's peopleactive deservedlove it,reaching butout becauseto Herestore isbroken merciful and desires that none should perish.relationships.

Today’s lesson remindsshows children that while God isdoesn't holygive us what we deserve for our sin. Instead, He offers forgiveness and just,welcomes Heus isback alsowith amazinglyopen patient.arms. He gives people time to turn away from sin and trust in Him. We’We'll use theJesus' storyparable of Noah and the floodProdigal Son to showillustrate how Goda waitedfather's overmerciful 100love years—plentymirrors ofGod's timeheart fortoward peopleus towhen repent.we Yet, they ignored the warning.stray.

Our goal is not just to teach about the past, but to help children realizeunderstand that God's mercy isn't earned—it's a gift. We want them to grasp that even when they disobey and make poor choices, God is still patientwaiting today.with He’sarms givingwide themopen, timeready to forgive when they turn back to Jesus.Him Wewith wantsincere this lesson to be a wake-up call—not to fear punishment, but to see God’s patience as a gift of love.hearts.

As you teach, pray that each child will seerecognize thattheir God’need for God's patiencemercy. is an invitation, not a permission slip to keep sinning. And asMay they see God’sthemselves patience,in maythe itstory leadof themthe prodigal son and understand that God is a loving Father who runs to thankmeet Him,His trustwayward Him,children with compassion and become more patient like Him.forgiveness.

Before Service

Ensure parents take their child to the restroom before bringing them to the children's area and use the QR code to sign in their child before the service.

Praise and Worship (15 mins)

Parents: The parent and child scheduled for this week will lead us in singing on Sunday. Please take time to practice the songs together at home, helping your child feel confident and joyful as they prepare to lead.

Prayer and Offering (5 mins)

Parents: Please encourage your children to bring an offering to church. You may help your child prepare by setting aside a coin for them to bring on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to teach them about giving to God with a thankful heart and trusting Him to provide.

What is Offering?

Offering is when we give something to God to show our love and thankfulness. In church, we often give money as an offering, but we can also give our time, talents, and kindness to God and others.

Why Do We Make an Offering?

1️⃣ To Thank God – Everything we have comes from God! Giving back is a way to say, “Thank You, God!”
2️⃣ To Trust God – When we give, we show that we trust God to take care of us.
3️⃣ To Help Others – Offerings help the church teach about Jesus, help people in need, and share God’s love.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
"God loves a cheerful giver!" That means God is happy when we give with a joyful heart!

Prayer for Offering

Dear God, thank You for giving us everything we need. We want to give back to You with joyful hearts. Please use our offering to help others and share Your love. Help us to always trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Review Verse from Last Week

Romans 1:18a —‘For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.’

• “For the wrath of God”

  (Make an angry face, then point upward to “God.”)

  (Wrath = pretend to stomp your foot once.)

• “is revealed”

  (Open your hands like you’re pulling a curtain apart to “reveal” something.)

• “from heaven”

  (Point both hands up to the sky.)

• “against all ungodliness”

  (Shake your finger “no” and make a sad face.)

• “and unrighteousness of men.”

  (Cross your arms in front of your chest like an X for “wrong” / “sinful.”)

Bible Story (10 min): God is Patient

Introduction (1 min)

(Hold up a timer and speak with excitement and curiosity.)

Boys and girls, look what I have here—a timer! I’m going to set it for just one minute. Now tell me: do you think one minute is a long time or a short time?

(Let them answer—some will say short, some might say long.)

“Let’s do a challenge! When I say ‘Go,’ everyone must sit completely still—no talking, no moving, no giggling, not even a wiggle! Let’s see if we can all be patient for one whole minute. If we can, we’ll get a surprise at the end of class!”

(Start the timer and quietly encourage them as needed. When the timer goes off…)

Time’s up! Wow, was that easy or hard? Raise your hand if you wanted to move or talk during that minute.

(Smile and engage briefly.)

Sometimes it’s hard to wait. We like things fast—fast food, fast games, fast answers. But today we’re going to learn that God is different. He is patient. That means He doesn’t get angry quickly. He gives people lots of time to turn to Him.

(Transition smoothly.)

Let’s hear a true story from the Bible about a man named Noah and how God showed amazing patience—even when people kept doing wrong things.

Story Telling (5 min) - God Is Patient!

(Use props or visuals like toy animals, ark picture, and water in a clear container if possible.)

A long time ago, the world was filled with people—just like today. But there was a problem. Most of those people didn’t love God. In fact, they didn’t even care about Him at all.

(Hold up your Bible.)

Let’s listen to what the Bible says in Genesis 6:5:

‘The Lord saw how bad people had become on earth. Every thought in their hearts was only evil all the time.’

That’s really sad, isn’t it?

(Make a sad face, shake head.)

God is perfect and holy. He can’t ignore sin. He was very angry at how people were acting.

(Hold up the whip or use an angry face emoji on a card.)

Last week, we learned that God is wrathful—He has righteous anger against sin. And He was going to send a big flood to clean the earth.

(Hold up a picture of water or a pitcher.)

BUT! Before the flood, God chose one man—Noah—who loved and obeyed God. God told Noah to build a big boat called an ark to save his family and two of every kind of animal.

(Show ark visual or toy.)

Now, here’s the part I want you to really hear: Did God send the flood right away?

(Let kids answer: “No!”)

That’s right. God waited… and waited… and waited over 100 years!

Can you imagine waiting that long?

(Count slowly on fingers: 1, 2, 3… then jump to 100 and act amazed.)

While Noah built the ark, the people had lots of time. Time to think. Time to listen. Time to repent—that means to turn away from sin and follow God. But did they do it?

(Shake head.)

No. They just laughed at Noah. They ignored God. And when the flood finally came… it was too late.

(Pause and let the seriousness settle.)

But Noah and his family? They were saved—because they trusted God.

(Show the ark with animals safely inside.)

Why did God wait so long to send the flood? Because He is patient.

God doesn’t want anyone to be destroyed. He gives people time to turn back to Him.

(Read aloud 2 Peter 3:9 slowly and clearly.)

2 Peter 3:9 NIV
—'The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.'

• “The Lord is not slow”

  (Point upward to represent "the Lord" and shake head "no" for "not slow")

• “in keeping his promise”

  (Cross hands over heart to represent "keeping promise")

• “as some understand slowness”

  (Tap head for "understand" and move hands slowly for "slowness")

• “Instead he is patient with you”

  (Fold hands together calmly to show "patience" and point to others for "with you")

• “not wanting anyone to perish”

  (Shake head "no" and look sad for "not wanting" and "perish")

• “but everyone to come to repentance.”

  (Open arms wide for "everyone" and make turning motion with hands for "repentance")

Bible Story (10 min): God is Merciful

Introduction (1 min)

(Hold up a small bag of coins or play money and speak with enthusiasm.)

Boys and girls, look what I have here—a bag of money! Imagine if your dad or mom gave you all this money. What would you do with it? Would you save it? Buy something nice? Share with others?

(Let them answer briefly.)

Today we're going to hear a story Jesus told about a son who asked his father for money. But instead of using it wisely, he made some very bad choices. And yet, something amazing happened when he returned home! This story will teach us about a special word that describes what God is like: MERCIFUL.

Story Telling (5 min) - The Prodigal Son

(Use props if possible: a bag of play money, a picture of pigs, and consider having three simple picture cards representing the three stages of the son's journey.)

Jesus told a story about a father who had two sons. One day, the younger son came to his father with a very disrespectful request.

(Hold up your Bible and read from Luke 15:11-12.)

"There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them."

(Show the bag of money.)

This was very rude! The son was basically saying, "I don't want to wait until you die—give me my money now!" But do you know what? The father still gave him the money, even though the son didn't deserve it.

Soon after, the son packed up everything he had and traveled far away from home.

(Read from Luke 15:13-14.)

"Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need."

The son wasted all his father's money on bad things! He spent it all, and then there was no food in the land. He became very, very hungry.

(Show the picture of pigs and read Luke 15:15-16.)

"So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything."

Can you imagine being so hungry that you want to eat pig food? Yuck! The son had made very bad choices, and now he was suffering.

(Read Luke 15:17-19.)

"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'"

The son realized he had been very wrong. He knew he didn't deserve to be called his father's son anymore. He just wanted to work as a servant so he could have food to eat.

(Read Luke 15:20 with excitement and emotion.)

"And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

What did the father do? Did he yell at his son? Did he punish him? No! The father RAN to his son, HUGGED him, and KISSED him! The father was so happy to see his son, even though the son had done terrible things!

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

(Sit with the children in a circle or relaxed posture.)

Let’In this story, the son deserved to be punished, didn't he? He had been disrespectful, wasted his father's thinkmoney, aboutand whatmade many bad choices. But instead of punishment, the father showed him something special: MERCY.

Mercy means showing kindness to someone who doesn't deserve it. The father showed mercy to his son by welcoming him home with love and forgiveness, even though the son deserved punishment.

This story helps us understand that God is merciful. We all do wrong things that make God sad. The Bible calls these wrong things "sin." Because of our sin, we justdeserve heard. The people in Noah’God's time were doing lots of bad things.punishment. But did God punish them right away?

(Let them answer: “No.”)

Right! God waited over 100 years. That’s a very long time. Why?

(Hold up a visual or simply say with emphasis.)

Because God is patient. merciful—He wasshows giving them timekindness to repent,us toeven turnwhen awaywe fromdon't theirdeserve sin and trust Him.it.

Ask a few gentle, reflective questions:

1. How

   “Whydo isyou think the son felt when his father welcomed him home with a hug instead of a punishment?

2. Can you think of a time when you did something wrong but someone showed you mercy (they were kind to you instead of punishing you)?
3. How does it goodmake you feel to know that God is patient?”
   merciful and loves you even when you make mistakes?

(Expected answer: He gives us time to say sorry, to trust Jesus, and to change.)

2. “Have you ever done something wrong this week, but still got to play, eat yummy food, or spend time with family?”

(Let them share. Then connect:)

That’s God being patient with you. He doesn’t give you what you deserve right away—He gives you time.

3. “What should we do with that time?”

(Guide them to say: say sorry to God, ask for forgiveness, trust in Jesus.)

(Bring it together with this summary.)

GodGod's mercy is nota wonderful gift! He gives us kindness and forgiveness that we could never earn or deserve. The most amazing way God shows His mercy is by sending Jesus to take the punishment for our sins so that we can be forgiven and welcomed into God's family. Just like us.the Wefather getin madour quicklystory ran to welcome his son home, God welcomes us with open arms when thingswe go wrong. But God is slowcome to getHim angry.and Hissay patiencewe're is not a reason to keep doing bad things—it’s a chance to turn to Him.

(End with a brief prayer if desired.)

Let’s thank Godsorry for beingour patient with us.sins.

Memorizing Verse: 2Psalm Peter 3:9145:8

2Psalm Peter 3:9 NIV145:8
The LordLORD is notgracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in keepingsteadfast his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.love.

“"Now let’let's learn a very special Bible verse that tells us what God is like. Listen carefully as I readsay it.”"

(Read slowly and clearly, pointing to the words if displayed):

💡 Break It Down & Explain

Let’Let's say it together—repeat after me!

(Say in short phrases and have kids echo):

• “"The LordLORD" (point up)

• "is notgracious and merciful" (open hands like giving a gift)
• "slow to anger" (shake head slowly)
• "and abounding in keepingsteadfast hislove." promise,”
  (cross
arms
• over

  “as some understand slowness.”

• “Instead he is patient with you,"

• "not wanting anyone to perish”

• “but everyone to come to repentance.”

  chest)

(Say it again a little faster as a group.)

Now let’let's talk about what this means.

• “Patient”"Gracious" means God waits.gives Heus doesn’good things we don't rush to get angry.

  deserve.

• “Not wanting anyone to perish”"Merciful" means God doesn’doesn't wantgive peopleus the punishment we do deserve.

• "Slow to beanger" destroyedmeans God is patient with us when we make mistakes.
• "Abounding in steadfast love" means God's love for theirus sin.
  never
runs

• “To come to repentance” means to say sorry to God, stop doing wrong, and trust in Jesus.

  out!

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Craft (5 min)

Download and print worksheet here for children.

(Hold up a large printed letter “P”"M" and say cheerfully):

Now we’we're going to do a fun craft to help us remember that God is patientmerciful. ‘P’'M' stands for PatientMerciful!

(Hand out a copy of the large ‘P’'M' on paper to each child, along with crayons, markers, or stickers.)

I want you to draw a picture inside or around the ‘P’'M' that reminds you of today’today's story. MaybeYou Noah’scould ark,draw rain,the animals,father hugging his son, or evenanything aelse bigthat clockhelps showingyou aremember longGod's wait.mercy.

(While kids draw, walk around and chat with them individually, prompting reflection)

• “What arewas youyour drawing?”

  favorite part of today's story?

• “How did God show patience in Noah’s time?”

• “How does it feel to know that God loves you even when you make mistakes?

• Who could you show patiencemercy withto usthis today?”
  week?

(After 4–5 minutes, invite kids to share their art aloud if time allows.)

These are beautiful! Each ‘P’'M' reminds us that God gives us timemercy to turnpeople towho Him.don't deserve it.

Game (5 min)

Setup (before class):

• Print and hide 4 visualsout or images:draw Startingsimple Ark,pictures Noah,showing Loadingthe Ark,prodigal Flood.

  son's journey: 1) Asking for money, 2) Wasting money, 3) With pigs, 4) Coming home, 5) Father hugging son
• Mix

  Prepare a timeline onup the wallpictures

or floor with
• Bring tape or string.
  sticky

• Have a pitcher of water and shallow basin for the “flood.”

  tack

(Gather the group and explain):

Let’Let's play a game called theThe ArkProdigal's RaceJourney! JustI likehave inpictures from our story,story timeall ismixed ticking before the flood comes!”

I’ve hidden 4 pictures around the room.up. When I say GO, your job is to findwork themtogether and stickput them in the right orderorder.

on

After we get them in order, we'll talk about where in the timelinestory beforewe thesee timerGod's runs out.mercy!

(SecretlyLet setchildren aarrange timer—startthe withpictures 1in minute.sequence.)

Ready?Great GO!

job!

Now,

(Oncepoint to the timepicture runswhere out,you whethersee successfulmercy orbeing not,shown. pretendThat's right—when the father welcomes his son home with open arms, that's mercy! God welcomes us the same way when we come back to pour “flood” water into a basin. Celebrate effort and restart the game using shorter or longer time limits.)

After the Game:

Did you know how much time you had before the flood came? No! And that’s just like real life—we don’t know how long God’s patience will last.

That’s why the Bible says we should turn to Him now, while there’s still time. God is patient, but His patience is not forever.Him.

Response Song

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

Dear God,

Thank You for being so patientmerciful withto us.
Thank You for givingloving us time to turn to You and trust in Jesus.
Help us not to ignore Your kindness, but to say sorry for our sins and follow You.
Teach us to be patient like You—with our family, our friends, and even when we havedon't deserve it.
Thank You for sending Jesus to wait.show us what Your mercy looks like.
Help us to show mercy to others just like You show mercy to us.

Now, let us thank You for the snack we’we're about to enjoy.
We fold our hands.
We bow our heads.
We thank You, God,
forpray this dailyin bread.
Jesus' name, Amen.

Free Time & Children Pickup (15 mins)