2025-06-01 Merciful

Introduction

As we prepare to teach this lesson, let’let's pause and reflect on the incredible mercy of God. EvenSomberly thoughponder wethese sinwords:

against

Ephesians Him2:1-3—And daily,you Godwere extendsdead kindnessin the trespasses and compassionsins to²in undeservingwhich sinnersyou likeonce us.walked, Hisfollowing mercythe isn'tcourse justof athis feeling—it'sworld, activefollowing lovethe 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' parableprince of the Prodigalpower Sonof tothe illustrateair, howthe aspirit father'sthat mercifulis lovenow mirrorsat God'swork heartin towardthe ussons whenof disobedience—³among whom we stray.all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

OurDead. goalSons of disobedience. Children of wrath. That is toour helpidentity childrenby understandnature. that God's mercy isn't earned—it's a gift. We want them to grasp that even when they disobeyHopeless and makehelpless—were poorit choices,not for these next words in verse 4…

But God, being rich in mercy…

That God is still waiting with arms wide open, readymerciful to forgivesinners whenwho theyare, turnmoment backby moment, deserving of His wrath is truly amazing. More marvelous is His saving mercy extended to Himthose withwhom sincereHe hearts.has called to be His people. It is a mercy that is a gift—unearned and unmerited by anything that we have done. How thankful we should be that we have a heavenly Father that seeks out wayward children, and then, in His great mercy, extends to us His steadfast love and forgiveness.

As you teach, prayPray that eachthrough childthe willtelling recognizeof the Bible story, the children would see their desperate need for God's mercy.mercy and forgiveness. May they seeperceive themselvesGod inas thea storymerciful Father, running toward wayward sinners like themselves, with arms outreached welcoming them home. May God be at work, breaking down any notions of the prodigal sonself-sufficiency and understandsalvation thatby God is a loving Father who runs to meet His wayward children with compassion and forgiveness.works.

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)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)

(HoldTeacher upstands in front of the class holding a small baggarbage of coins or play money and speakpail with enthusiasm.crumpled paper, banana peel, etc.)

Boys"Okay, andeveryone—take girls,a look at what I havebrought here—today. Yep... a baggarbage ofpail! money!Let's Imaginetake ifa yourwhiff... dadPhew! orIt momsmells gaveawful, you all this money. What would you do withdoesn't it? Would you save it? Buy something nice? Share with others?🤢"

(Let themthe answerkids briefly.react—make it fun and dramatic.)

Today"Now imagine this: What if your best friend took your favourite toy—your most precious thing—and threw it right in here?"

(Hold the garbage can up high or pretend to toss something in.)

"How would you feel? Angry? Sad? Hurt?"

(Pause and let them respond.)

"Would you forgive them?"

(More responses—smile and nod as they answer.)

"Today, we're going to hear a story Jesus told about a son who askeddid something even worse than that. He didn't just throw away a toy... he threw away his fatherfather's forlove money.and kindness. But insteadwhat ofhappened usingnext might surprise you."

(Lean in, lower your voice a little.)

"The father didn't yell at him... He didn't send him away... Instead, he ran toward his son—with open arms. Just like this."

(Open your arms wide, smiling.)

"And do you know why? Because the father was merciful. That means he showed kindness and forgiveness—even when it wisely,wasn't he made some very bad choices.deserved. And yet,guess somethingwhat? amazing happened when he returned home! This story will teach us about a special word that describesThat's what God is like:like."

MERCIFUL.

"Let's find out how this story goes."

Story Telling (5 min) - The ProdigalMerciful SonFather (Luke 15:11–20)

(UseProps propsneeded: if possible: a bagBag of play money, a picturePicture of pigs, andGarbage considerpail, havingFather threevisual simpleor picturearms-wide cards representing the three stages of the son's journey.)gesture)

"Jesus once told a story aboutto help people understand how kind and forgiving God is. It's not a fatherreal story—it's a parable, which means it's made-up but teaches us something true about God."

(Hold up the bag of money.)

"There was a man who had two sons. One day, the younger son camesaid tosomething hisshocking. fatherHe with a very disrespectful request.

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

"Jesus continued:said, 'There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, "Father,Dad, give me my sharepart of theyour estate."money So he divided his property between them.now.'"

(ShowPause theand baglook of money.surprised.)

Oh"Now my!kids... Thehow sondo you think that made the father feel? (Let them answer.)"

(Nod.)

"That's right—it was notdisrespectful. beingIt's nice at all! He waslike saying, "Dad, 'I want myyour moneystuff, right now,but I don't wantcare toabout wait!"you.' But guess what? The father still gave him the money,money."

even

though

(Hand the son'money' wasto notan being a goodimaginary son.)

Soon after, the"The son took it, packed up all his thingsup, and went far, far awayaway. fromAnd home.he didn't spend the money on good things. Nope. He wasted it."

(ReadPretend fromto Lukethrow 15:13-14.the Ifmoney possible, have a small garbage can or wastebasket handy.around.)

"NotParties, long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth injunk, wild living.living—until Afterone day, he had spentnothing everything,left. thereAnd wasthen... a severe famine incame. thatThat wholemeans country,no andfood, heno beganmoney, tono be in need.help."

The son spent all his father's money on silly things! "He bought toys and treats that didn't last long. It was like taking his father's money and just throwing it in the trash!

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

And then, there was no food to eat where he lived. The son got very, very hungry. He made bad choices, and now he was very sad.

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

"So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything."

Can you imagine being so hungry that you want to eat the same food that pigs eat? Eww! The son made some really bad choices, and now he hadgot toa takejob carefeeding of stinky pigs and had no food to eat.pigs."

(ReadHold Lukeup 15:17-19.the pig picture.)

"WhenAnd kids, do you know what he camewanted to hiseat?"

senses,

(Pause and whisper.)

"Pig food!"

(Make a gross face. Let the kids react.)

"That's how bad it got. He was alone, starving, and sad."

"But then... he said,remembered his dad. He thought, 'How many ofEven my father'dad's hired servants have foodfood. toI'll spare,go home and heresay: IDad, amI've starvingsinned. toI'm death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longernot worthy to be calledyour son. Can I just be your son; make me like one of your hired servants.servant?'"

The son started thinking: "My dad's workers have food to eat, but I'm so hungry! I need to go home and tell my dad I'm sorry. I was a bad son. Maybe he'll let me be his worker."

(ReadPoint Luketo 15:20the withdoor excitementor andgesture emotion.walking.)

"So he gotstarted upthe long walk back home... probably nervous and wentashamed."

to his father.

"But while he was still afar long way off,away, his father saw himhim. andAnd waswhat filleddo withyou compassionthink forthe him;father did?"

(Pause. Let kids guess.)

"Did he yell, 'You're in trouble!'? Did he say, 'Where's my money?'"

(Shake your head.)

"No. The Bible says the father ran to hishim."

son,

threw

(Pretend histo armsrun aroundin himplace.)

and

"He hugged him. He kissed him. He welcomed him home!"

What(Hold didout your arms.)

"Why? Because the father do? Did he yell atloved his son?son. Did he punish him? No! The father RAN to his son, HUGGED him, and KISSED him! The fatherHe was somerciful. happyHe toforgave see his son,him, even though the son had done terriblewrong. things!He didn't give him punishment—he gave him a party!"

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

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

In"Kids, this story, the son did a lot of bad things, didn't he? He was not nice to his dad, he wasted all the money, and he made many bad choices. He should have been in big trouble! But instead of punishing him, the father showed him something special: MERCY.

Mercy means being kind to someone even when they've been bad. The father showed mercy to his son by giving him a big hug and welcoming him home, even though the son did wrong things.

This story helps us understand that God is merciful. We all do wrong things sometimes that make God sad. The Bible calls these wrong things "sin." When we do wrong things, we should get in trouble. But God is merciful—He is kind to us even when we do bad things.

The most important thing to remember is that God's mercy is a gift. We can't earn God's mercy by being extra good or doing lots of good things. The son couldn't earn his father's love back—the father just gave it freely because he loved his son so much. God gives us mercy because He loves us, not because we've been good enough.

Ask a few gentle, reflective questions:

1. Howwho do you think the son feltis like?" (Let them answer: "us")

   "And who is the father like?" (Let them answer: "God")

   "That's right. We all do wrong things. We disobey, we lie, we forget God. But when hiswe fathercome welcomedback himto homeHim, withtruly asorry, hugGod insteaddoesn't ofpush aus punishment?

away.
2. CanHe youruns thinkto ofus."
   a

   "That's timewhat it means when youwe 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 thatsay: God is merciful and loves you even when you make mistakes?

(Bring it together with this summary.)

God's mercy is like the best present ever! He gives us kindness and says merciful."I forgive you" even when we mess up. The most amazing way God shows His mercy is by sending Jesus to take our punishment so we can be in God's family. Just like the father in our story ran to give his son a big hug, God wants to give us a big hug when we say we're sorry for the wrong things we do.

Did you know that God shows mercy to everyone every day, even people who don't know 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:

• He gives us sunshine to play in
• He sends rain to make flowers grow
• He gives us yummy food to eat
• He gives us families and friends who love us
• He makes pretty things for us to see

All these good things are gifts from God because He is merciful and kind! He loves taking care of us because He loves us so much.

Memorizing Verse: Psalm 145:8

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

"NowAlright, let'everyone! It's time to learn a special verse from the Bible verse that tells usabout what God is like. ListenThis carefullyverse asshows Ius why we call God merciful."

"Let's say it together once, and then I'll teach you hand motions to help you remember 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" (pointPoint up)both hands upward)
• "is gracious and compassionate"merciful" (openHold out your hands like you're giving a gift)
• "slow to anger" (shakeMove headyour slowly)hand slowly like a turtle)
• "and richabounding in steadfast love." (crossPut your hands over your heart, then stretch your arms over chest)wide)

(SayLet's ittry againthe awhole littleverse fastertogether aswith athe group.)motions!

Now let'sclose talkyour eyes for a moment. Think about what this means.

• "Gracious" meansthis: God givesis usnot goodquick thingsto asget presents.
angry
• "Compassionate"with meansyou. He is full of love and mercy—even when you mess up. Isn't that amazing?

  Let's thank God feels sad when we're sad and wants to help us.

• "Slow to anger" means God doesn't get mad quickly when we make mistakes.
• "Richquietly in love"our meanshearts Godright has so much love for us - it never runs out!

now.

Craft & Game (10 mins)

Craft:

CraftMercy Sun Catcher (5 min)

DownloadSupplies andNeeded:

print

worksheet
• Printed herePsalm for145:8 children.Sun Catcher (one per child, preferably on translucent paper)
• Markers or crayons
• Tape (optional, to hang it later)

"Now we're going to make something beautiful that you can take home to remind you that God is merciful."

(Hold up a largesample printedor 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 ofshow the largeblank 'M'sun on paper to each child, along with crayons, markers, or stickers.catcher.)

"This is called a Mercy Sun Catcher. It has today's memory verse: 'The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.' —Psalm 145:8"

"As you decorate the border with bright colors, I want you to drawthink aabout picture inside or around the 'M'what that remindsverse you of today's story. You could draw the father hugging his son, or anything else that helps you remember God's mercy.means."

(WhilePass kidsout 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 be kind to this week, even if they aren't nice to you?
• Have you ever done something wrong and had to say sorry?
• Can you think of a time when someone was nice to you even when you weren't being good? How did that make you feel?

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

These"God aredoesn't beautiful! Each 'M' remindstreat us thatas Godwe deserve—He gives us love and forgiveness. That's His mercy. Just like the sun shines through the window, God's mercy toshines peopleinto whoour don't deserve it.lives!"

Optional prompts while they color:

• "Can you name a way God has shown you mercy this week?"
• "What part of the verse do you like the most?"
• "Where will you put your sun catcher at home?"

"When you hang this in a window at home, let it remind you: God's mercy is a gift. We can't earn it—but He gives it freely."

GameGame: "Mercy Tag" (5 min)

Setup (before class):Setup:

• PrintClear outopen space
• Optional soft music or drawfun simplebackground 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 tacktrack

(Gather the group and explain):

Let'"Now it's playtime for a game called The Son's Big Journey! I have pictures from our story all mixed up. When I say GO, your job is to workhelp togetherus andremember putwhat themmercy feels like!"

Instructions:

1. "One person will be the Father—like in the rightstory."
order
2. "Everyone -else like makingis a storySon train!
   or

   Daughter who ran away and now wants to come home."

3. "The Father will gently tag someone. When you're tagged, stop and say: 'I'm sorry!'"
4. "Then the Father says: 'I forgive you!' and gives you a hug or high five to unfreeze you!"
5. "After wea getfew them in order,rounds, we'll findswitch who gets to be the partFather."
where someone shows kindness!

(Let children arrangePlay the picturesgame infor sequence.3–4 minutes, rotate roles.)

Great"Did job!you Now,notice pointsomething? toWhen the pictureFather whereforgave, you see someone being kind even when theyhe didn't havepunish or yell. He showed mercy!"

Ask:

• "How did it feel to be.be That'sforgiven right—whenand thewelcomed fatherback?"
gives
• "What hisdoes sonthat ateach bigus hug,about that'sGod?"
showing

mercy!

"Just like in our game, God is like that father - He's always ready to welcome uswaiting with open arms whenfor weanyone comewho turns 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 hang it in a window at home, the sunlight will shine through it like God's love shines on us every day.

I'll give each of you a special paper with our Bible verse. You can color it with bright, happy colors. Then you can take it home and hang it in a window to remember that God is kind and merciful!

Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)

Dear God,

Thank You for being so merciful to us.
Thank You for lovingalways welcoming us evenback 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 Jesusturn to show us what Your mercy looks like.
Thank You that we don't have to earn Your love—it's a gift!You.
Help us to showbe mercymerciful to othersothers, just likeas You showare mercymerciful to us.
Help us to remember that we need Your mercy everyis day.a gift we don't deserve.

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)