YOUTH LESSON ACTIVITY. UNMERCIFUL SERVANT forgiveness story wall hanging. Youth can connect this Matthew 18:21-35; 6:12, 14-15 story with D&C 58:42 filling in the blanks to discover how Jesus’s disciples were not forgiving and were afflicted with the greater sin. The Lord is the one to forgive; we are required to forgive all.
USE FOR: COME FOLLOW ME, Primary and Home (family home evening), Activity Days, Sunday School, Bible Study
Little LESSON LIFESAVERS
I can be merciful and forgiving.
SCRIPTURE SEARCH (Wall Hanging)
OBJECTIVE: Help youth learn ways to be merciful and forgiving by creating this three-part wall hanging, telling the story of “The Unmerciful Servant” The hanging reads: “I can be MERCIFUL & FORGIVING.”
ACTIVITY: Tell the story of the Unmerciful Servant by studying: Matthew 18:21–35; 6:12, 14–15.
Then do the activity, filling in the blanks as you read Doctrine and Covenants 58:42. ANSWERS:
Part 1 “My disciples, in days of old, sought occasion against one another and forgave not one another in their hearts; and for this evil they were afflicted and sorely chastened.”
Part 2 “Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.”
Part 3 “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”
Lesson Ideas* (for which this activity is created). Have a child read Doctrine and Covenants 64:8–10. Divide these verses into phrases and have each child explain one of the phrases to the class. You could also divide the class into groups and have each group discuss what this scripture means. Have them share their ideas, and help them understand that we have been commanded to forgive everyone.
TO MAKE Print in color or color and cut out for each child. Punch holes where indicated on each part and on the top center piece. Tie ribbons or yarn to connect each piece.
THOUGHT TREAT: “M” and “F” shaped cookies or bread. Roll out sugar cookie dough or bread dough into thin ropes and shape into letters. Bake and share one of each to children. Talk about being “M”erciful and “F”orgiving as Jesus was merciful and forgiving.
SCRIPTURE CHALLENGE CARD: Help children Search and Ponder this scripture card by filling in the blanks. PRINT this 5 x 7 scripture card from the pdf included with the above activity. You can punch the two holes on the left and tie a ribbon to attach cards or use two metal rings to connect cards.
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
. . . MORE LESSON IDEAS . . .
For the I can be MERCIFUL & FORGIVING – The “Unmerciful Servant” wall hanging
The above activity illustrates ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY #2 in the lesson (see ideas above or click the Lesson 22 link below).
LESSON. To add to and enhance the above activity see (HERE) Lesson 22 – Primary 7 Manual – The Unmerciful Servant.
The above activity illustrates the story Jesus told of the Unmerciful Servant. Here the D&C 64:8-10 is also illustrated where youth can fill in the blanks. Have them ponder the moments in their life and think how merciful they can be if they are following Jesus.
BRAINSTORM FORGIVENESS
Brainstorm with youth situations where they may be tempted to be unmerciful and not forgive others, what would they do?
• Forgiving is easy but forgetting what others have done is not so easy. This must be done if we are to be forgiven by Jesus.
DOWNLOAD the Forgive, Forget, Forever For Jesus necklace
(HERE or below).
• Forgiving when someone is unkind to you can be done if we think, “What Would Jesus Do?”
DOWNLOAD Jesus Is My Hero – be like Him doorknob sign (HERE or below).
• Forgiving if your brother or sister hits you can be done if you stop to think of the reason they hit you. Then you are following Jesus as you forgive.
Tell the story of Joseph, who forgave his brothers (in the lesson), and say, “Heavenly Father wants me to forgive others, like Joseph who forgave his brothers and Jesus who forgave others.”
DOWNLOAD FORGIVE: Joseph and Brothers finger puppets (HERE or below).
• Forgiving someone unkind to you can be done if you stop to think of the reason they might be unkind; perhaps someone has been unkind to them. Then you stand up for them by being kind to them.
DOWNLOAD Kindness Begins with Me – Upside-Down Turn’em Around post-and-present activity (HERE or below).
Sing with youth the song “Help Me, Dear Father”
DOWNLOAD Help Me, Dear Father song visuals (HERE or below).
LYRICS verse 1
“Help me, dear Father, to freely forgive
All who may seem unkind to me.” . . .
