forgiveness children's ministry church lesson

Here’s a free children’s ministry lesson for 1st-5th grade on Jesus forgiving Peter (John 21:15-19). Includes a fun opening game, object lesson and hands-on activity. Big idea: Even when we mess up, Jesus forgives us!

Get ready to dive into a lesson that’s all about forgiveness — aka that magical superpower that lets us say, “It’s okay,” instead of plotting revenge over stolen crayons or snack time betrayals. 🍪✌️

In this lesson, kids learn that forgiveness isn’t just for superheroes and moms with endless patience — it’s for all of us! And Jesus shows us how it’s done in the most incredible way.

So buckle up, bring your biggest smiles, and maybe keep a few extra band-aids for any wounded pride… because grace is about to flow like spilled juice boxes at snack time. Let’s go!

– Nick Diliberto

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY LESSON – JESUS FORGIVES PETER

Say: Today we’re going to talk about Forgiveness.

To get us started, let’s play a fun game!

Opening Game: “Grab A Sheep”

Supplies: Cotton balls, spoons, and baskets or buckets

Prep: Scatter “sheep” (cotton balls) around the room

How to Play:

Divide kids into teams.
Each team has a spoon and a “pen” (basket).
One at a time, they run, scoop a sheep (cotton ball), and carry it back without dropping it.
If they drop it, they have to go back to the start.
First team to rescue all their sheep wins!

Connect: Peter had the mission to care of Jesus’ followers—His “sheep.” But like in our game, he sometimes messed up.

Teach – Jesus Forgives Peter (John 21:15-19)

Read John 21:15-19 and explain what happened in your own words.

Object Lesson: “Broken and Restored”

Supplies: One paper heart cutout (for the leader) and a marker

How to Do It:

Share a time when you messed up and did something wrong.
Write it down on one side of their heart, then crumple it up.
Talk about how Peter messed up by denying Jesus.
Smooth out the heart and write “forgiveness” on the other side

Connect: Even when we mess up, Jesus forgives us and doesn’t throw us away.

Activity – “Clean Slate”

Supplies:

Small black construction paper or black foam sheets (chalkboard-style)
White chalk or chalk markers
Baby wipes or tissues

Instructions:

Write “Mess Ups” or “Sin” with Chalk
Ask kids to write or draw examples of “mess-ups” or “sin” on their black sheet with chalk (ex: lied to parents, was mean to their sister, etc)
Wipe It Clean
Then give them a baby wipe or tissue and let them gently erase their chalk marks. Watch how the board becomes clean again. Say something like: “Just like this chalkboard, when we ask Jesus to forgive us, He wipes our hearts clean!”

Connect: Talk about how Jesus wipes our sins away.

End Lesson

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