How Can I Know That God Has Forgiven Me?
(Lesson-match Interactive Activities)
YOUTH CLASSES
May 8, 2022
TOPIC #1
Exodus 35-40; Leviticus 1; 16; 19
HOW DO I KNOW THAT GOD HAS FORGIVEN ME?
MAY 22, 2022
TOPIC #2
Deuteronomy 6-8; 15; 18; 29-30; 34
Part 1
How Can I Know That God Has Forgiven Me?
(Lesson-match Interactive Activities)
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES 4 in on 1 bundle to save $ or click individual activities below
Counsel Together
Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; 10–20 minutes
At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.
-
Live the gospel. How can turning to the Lord help us deal with our challenges and trials?
-
Care for those in need. Who do we know who needs our prayers and our friendship?
-
Invite all to receive the gospel. What plans to share the gospel have been discussed in the ward youth council meetings? How can our class or quorum get involved?
-
Unite families for eternity. How can doing family history work strengthen our relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:
-
Testify of the principles taught.
-
Remind class or quorum members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES 4 in on 1 bundle to save $ or click individual activities below
- Live the gospel. How can turning to the Lord help us deal with our challenges and trials?
- Care for those in need. Who do we know who needs our prayers and our friendship?
$1.75
- Invite all to receive the gospel. What plans to share the gospel have been discussed in the ward youth council meetings? How can our class or quorum get involved?
$1.75
- Unite families for eternity. How can doing family history work strengthen our relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?
$3.00
MUTUAL NIGHT, SUNDAY SCHOOL, SEMINARY, FAMILY HOME EVENING ACTIVITIES
MISSIONARY “WE CARE” PACKAGE: Send a card or letter and a package to all the missionaries in the ward. Do it assembly-line style with projects laid out on the table for each missionary. Obtain the bishop’s approval of what you are sending. Write“We-Care Package” on the box. Tell the missionary’s parents you are sending a package (in case they have something to enclose)
Package: Put together a care package with a new toothbrush, gum, candy, handkerchief, tie (buy used or ask young men or priesthood leaders to donate supplies).
Photos: Take photos of young women holding signs that say, “Hi, Elder/Sister ______,” etc. (brainstorm on what to write).
Tape: Ask youth to find a poem, quote, or scripture they can read after they say, “Hi, my name is ________.”
Part 2
How Can I Know That God Has Forgiven Me?
(Lesson-match Interactive Activities)
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES 4 in on 1 bundle to save $ or click individual activities below
Teach the Doctrine
Led by an adult leader or youth; 25–35 minutes
Prepare Yourself Spiritually
People sometimes wonder if they have “done enough” to be forgiven of sins. Although it does take effort to repent, ultimately we aren’t forgiven because we complete a checklist or do certain tasks. We are forgiven as we accept the mercy offered by Jesus Christ. It is in this way that OUR NATURES CAN BE CHANGED.
DOWNLOAD My Change of Heart Steps mobile (HERE or below)
In ancient times, the rituals and sacrifices of the law of Moses pointed the Israelites to the Savior’s Atonement. As the Lord explained in Leviticus 16:30, “On that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord.” Of course, a ritual alone cannot give us forgiveness of sin. Forgiveness comes from Jesus Christ. In our day, ordinances like baptism and the sacrament POINT OUR MINDS AND HEARTS TO THE SAVIOR. They help us understand that He will always forgive us as we repent.
How has Heavenly Father helped you to know you have been forgiven? You might study Mosiah 4:1–3 and President Tad R. Callister’s message “The Atonement of Jesus Christ” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 85–87). This message can help those you teach understand that HEAVENLY FATHER FORGIVES US WHEN WE REPENT.
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES 4 in on 1 bundle to save $ or click individual activities below
MUTUAL NIGHT OR FAMILY NIGHT ACTIVITIES:
MIGHTY CHANGE OF HEART:
Tell youth: “You can never really change until you change your heart! A changed heart is a repentant heart.” Talk about the mighty change of heart in the Book of Mormon. Have a special skit dramatizing a story in the Book of Mormon, e.g., Alma the Younger. Serve heart-shaped cupcakes or heart-shaped pancakes with strawberry syrup, strawberries, and whipped cream. Make notes on hearts and then stick them on dozens of cars in the church parking lot on Sunday or in the door or mailbox of a special friend.
Part 3
How Can I Know That God Has Forgiven Me?
(Lesson-match Interactive Activities)
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES 4 in on 1 bundle to save $ or click individual activities below
Learn Together
You might begin by displaying pictures of the Savior in Gethsemane and on the cross (see Gospel Art Book, nos. 56–57). Invite the youth to search Leviticus 1:1–9; 16:15–16, 30. Ask them to share phrases that remind them of the Savior’s Atonement. How did the sacrifices described in these verses help the Israelites look forward to the Savior’s Atonement? WHAT HELPS US REMEMBER THE SAVIOR’S ATONEMENT? What helps us feel the Savior’s love and forgiveness? The activities below can help the youth better understand that God will forgive us.
-
Several PEOPLE IN THE SCRIPTURES DESCRIBED THE FEELINGS THEY HAD WHEN HEAVENLY FATHER FORGAVE THEM. Your class or quorum members could read some examples (see “Supporting Resources”). Invite them to make a list of phrases from these verses that describe what it feels like to be forgiven. You might ask them to express in their own words what forgiveness feels like to them. What can we learn about God from these feelings? Perhaps you could share your own feelings about forgiveness.
- Sometimes people aren’t sure they have been forgiven because they aren’t sure they have truly repented. Elder Dale G. Renlund’s message “Repentance: A Joyful Choice” See VIDEO (below) explains how to truly repent and receive God’s forgiveness (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 121–24). You could write on the board the headings Real Repentance and Things That Get in the Way of Repentance. Ask those you teach to find teachings in the message that belong under the headings. WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT THE SAVIOR AND HIS FORGIVENESS from the last three paragraphs of this message?
Some people may have repented but don’t feel forgiven. This may be because they haven’t been able to FORGIVE THEMSELVES. The counsel in President Tad R. Callister’s message “The Atonement of Jesus Christ” could help them. Your class or quorum could read the section that begins with “2. Sin.” Ask them to find counsel they could share with a friend or family member who still feels guilty even after repenting. Provide time for the youth to share their feelings about the Savior, who made it possible for us to repent and be forgiven.
LESSON-MATCH ACTIVITIES 4 in on 1 bundle to save $ or click individual activities below
MUTUAL NIGHT ACTIVITIES, FAMILY NIGHT, SUNDAY SCHOOL, SEMINARY
FORGIVE AND FORGET–ME–“KNOT”:
1. Give each youth an eight–inch piece of string and ask someone to tie it on their finger with a knot. Say, “When we don’t forgive others, our spirit gets tied up in ‘knots’ and our spirit isn’t free to love others.”
2. Ask youth to untie the knot on their neighbor’s finger. Say, “When we forgive, we need to forget and let go. When we can forgive and forget, we find inner peace, and the person we forgive will also.”
3. Tie the knot again on their fingers and have them wear the string home as a reminder “knot” to forget to forgive others.
FORGIVING HEARTS, LETTING GO!:
Have youth write on a heart-shaped note something they are truly willing to let go of (a hurt, bad feelings about someone, etc.). Discuss how when we don’t forgive, our heart and mind cannot move on to more important things. Forgiveness frees our spirit, leaving room for love and friendship. Have each
one tie their note to a helium balloon and let it go, letting go of the hurt and bad feeling. Serve heart-shaped cookies with “forgiving heart” written on each.
Act in Faith
Encourage class or quorum members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. If they would like, they could share their ideas. Invite them to think about how acting on their impressions will strengthen their relationships with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Supporting Resources
-
Enos 1:1–8; Mosiah 4:1–3; Alma 24:7–10; 36:17–21 (How people felt when they were forgiven)
DOWNLOAD Guess Who Was Saved by the Savior? activity (HERE or above) -
Isaiah 1:18; Mosiah 26:30; Moroni 6:8; Doctrine and Covenants 58:42–43; 64:10 (The Lord promises to forgive us)
-
Russell M. Nelson, “We Can Do Better and Be Better,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 67–69
-
Craig A. Cardon, “The Savior Wants to Forgive,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 15–18 See VIDEO (below)
We Can Do Better & Be Better (talk) by Russell M. Nelson (HERE or above)
“Too many people consider repentance as punishment—something to be avoided except in the most serious circumstances. But this feeling of being penalized is engendered by Satan. He tries to block us from looking to Jesus Christ,3 who stands with open arms,4 hoping and willing to heal, forgive, cleanse, strengthen, purify, and sanctify us.”
We Can Do Better and Be Better
President Russell M. Nelson – Make your focus on daily repentance so integral to your life that you can exercise the priesthood with greater power than ever before.
The Savior Wants to Forgive
Craig A. Cardon – The Lord loves us and wants us to understand His willingness to forgive.
