2025-06-01 Merciful

Introduction

As we prepare to teach this lesson, let’s pause and reflect on the incredible mercy of God. Even though we sin against Him daily, God extends kindness and compassion to undeserving sinners like us. His mercy isn't just a feeling—it's active love reaching out to restore broken relationships.

Today’s lesson shows children that God doesn't give us what we deserve for our sin. Instead, He offers forgiveness and welcomes us back with open arms. We'll use Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son to illustrate how a father's merciful love mirrors God's heart toward us when we stray.

Our goal is to help children understand 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 waiting with arms wide open, ready to forgive when they turn back to Him with sincere hearts.

As you teach, pray that each child will recognize their need for God's mercy. May they see themselves in the story of the prodigal son and understand that God is a loving Father who runs to meet His wayward children with compassion and 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

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")

Supplies Needed

• Bible - Open to Luke 15:11-20
• Bag of money (play money or a small pouch with coins)
• Picture of pigs (printed or drawn)
• Visual aids - Three simple picture cards showing:
  • Son 1: Son asking for inheritance
  • Son 2: Son in poverty with pigs
  • Son 3: Father welcoming son home
• Letter M visual - Large letter "M" for "Merciful"
• Memory Verse - Psalm 145:8 written on a slide or posterboard
• Craft supplies - "M" worksheets, crayons, markers
• Game materials - Printed pictures of the prodigal son story sequence, tape

Additional Scripture References

• Psalm 145:8-9 (NIV) - "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."
• Titus 3:5a (NIV) - "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy."
• 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."
• Romans 2:4 (NIV) - "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to 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.)

"Jesus continued: 'There was a man who had two sons. And theThe younger of themone said to his father, '"Father, give me themy share of propertythe thatestate." is coming to me.' AndSo 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. If possible, have a small garbage can or wastebasket handy.)

"Not manylong daysafter later,that, the younger son gatheredgot together all he hadhad, andset tookoff for a journeydistant into a far country,country and there he squandered his propertywealth in recklesswild living. And whenAfter he had spent everything, there was a severe famine arose in that whole country, and he began to be in need."

The son wasted all his father's money on bad things! He spent it all,all on things that didn't last or matter. It was like taking his father's hard-earned money and thenhonor and throwing it away like garbage!

(Place money near or in the garbage can as a visual)

And then, there was no food in the land. HeThe son became very, very hungry. His sinful choices had made him very unhappy.

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

"So he went and hired himself out to onea of the citizenscitizen of that country, who sent him intoto his fields to feed pigs. AndHe he was longinglonged to befill fedhis stomach with the pods that the pigs ate,were andeating, but 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 whenWhen he came to himself,his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have morefood thanto enoughspare, bread,and buthere I perisham herestarving withto hunger!death! I will ariseset out and go back to my father,father and I will say to him,him: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and beforeagainst you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.son; Treatmake me aslike 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.)

"AndSo he arosegot up and camewent to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and feltwas compassion,filled andwith compassion for him; he ran andto embracedhis son, threw his arms around 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.)

In this story, the son deserved to be punished, didn't he? He had been disrespectful, wasted his father's money, and made 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 deserve God's punishment. But God is merciful—He shows kindness to us even when we don't deserve it.

The most important thing to remember is that God's mercy is a gift. We can't earn it by being good enough or doing enough good things. The son couldn't earn his father's forgiveness—the father just gave it freely because he loved his son. In the same way, God's mercy is something He gives us because He loves us, not because we've earned it.

Ask a few gentle, reflective questions:

1. How do you 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 make you feel to know that God is merciful and loves you even when you make mistakes?

(Bring it together with this summary.)

God's mercy is a 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 the father in our story ran to welcome his son home, God welcomes us with open arms when we come to Him and say we're sorry for our sins.

Actually, do you know what? God shows mercy to all people every day, even those who don't follow Him! The Bible says in Psalm 145:9, "The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."

How does God show mercy to everyone? Let's think about some ways:

• The sun shines, bringing light and warmth
• The rain falls and makes plants grow
• We have food to eat and water to drink
• We have families and friends who care for us
• We can enjoy beautiful things in the world

All these good things are gifts of God's mercy! None of us deserve any good thing from God, yet He is kind to us anyway.

Memorizing Verse: Psalm 145:8

Psalm 145:8 (NIV)
"The LORD is gracious and merciful,compassionate, slow to anger and aboundingrich in steadfast love."

"Now let's learn a special Bible verse that tells us what God is like. Listen carefully as I say it."

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

💡 Break It Down & Explain

Let's say it together—repeat after me!

(Say in short phrases and have kids echo):

• "The LORD" (point up)
• "is gracious and merciful"compassionate" (open hands like giving a gift)
• "slow to anger" (shake head slowly)
• "and aboundingrich in steadfast love." (cross arms over chest)

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

Now let's talk about what this means.

• "Gracious" means God gives us good things we don't deserve.
• "Merciful"Compassionate" means God doesn't give us the punishment we do deserve.
• "Slow to anger" means God is patient with us when we make mistakes.
• "AboundingRich in steadfast love" means God's love for us never runs out!

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Craft (5 min)

Download and print worksheet here for children.

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

Now we're going to do a fun craft to help us remember that God is merciful. 'M' stands for Merciful!

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

I want you to draw a picture inside or around the 'M' that reminds you of today's story. You could draw the father hugging his son, or anything else that helps you remember God's mercy.

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

• What was your favorite part of today's story?
• How does it feel to know that God loves you even when you make mistakes?
• Who could you show mercy to this week?
• Have you ever felt like the son in the story, knowing you've done something wrong?
• What do you think it means that God's mercy is a gift and not something we earn?
• Can you think of a time when someone was kind to you even though you didn't deserve it? How did that make you feel?

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

These are beautiful! Each 'M' reminds us that God gives mercy to people who don't deserve it.

Game (5 min)

Setup (before class):

• Print out or draw simple pictures showing the prodigal son's journey: 1) Asking for money, 2) Wasting money, 3) With pigs, 4) Coming home, 5) Father hugging son
• Mix up the pictures
• Bring tape or sticky tack

(Gather the group and explain):

Let's play a game called The Prodigal's Journey! I have pictures from our story all mixed up. When I say GO, your job is to work together and put them in the right order.

After we get them in order, we'll talk about where in the story we see God's mercy!

(Let children arrange the pictures in sequence.)

Great job! Now, point to the picture where you see mercy being shown. That'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 Him.

Response Song

Optional Activity: Memory Verse Sun-Catcher

Materials needed (if time allows):

• Printed copies of Psalm 145:8 on translucent or tracing paper (one per child)
• Colored markers
• String (optional for hanging)

If we have some extra time, we're going to make a special sun-catcher with our memory verse! When you take it home and put it in a window, the light will shine through it and remind you that God's compassion shines on us every day.

Each of you will get a paper with our verse. You can decorate the border with bright colors and designs. When you're done, you can take it home and hang it in a window where you'll see it often and remember that God is merciful!

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

Dear God,

Thank You for being so merciful to us.
Thank You for loving us even when we don't deserve it.
Thank You for all the ways You show us mercy every day—
The food we eat, the sun that shines, the air we breathe.
Thank You for sending Jesus to show us what Your mercy looks like.
Thank You that we don't have to earn Your love—it's a gift!
Help us to show mercy to others just like You show mercy to us.
Help us to remember that we need Your mercy every day.

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

Free Time & Children Pickup (15 mins)