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| -Hi Everyone, I am new here and not quite sure how to ask for an explination about forgiveness found in Matthew 18:21-22. But here goes. I teach the 1st-3rd grades ages 5-9 in Sunday School and the ages of 3-12 year olds in Children's Church. I am interested in having several ways to teach these verses for each age group listed, along with the mathmatical work of the "seven times" listed in verse 21, and "seventy times seven" listed in verse 22. I have seen it written and taught like this and was wondering what you thought. 7 is 231% of 3 and is equal to 77+77+77=231. An incalculable number of times we are to forgive others. Even though it is a very good lesson, the kids still seemed not to understand. Any help with this will be greatly appreciated. msgracie
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| | I suggest that you let your children experience how incalculable that number is. This will work with all ages. For example, to illustrate what Jesus meant by "seventy times seven", ask 7 children to count out 70 craft sticks (beans, buttons, etc.) Then ask the child to dump their 70 craft sticks into one large bowl. Simply let them SEE exactly how a large that number is. (That's a LOT of craft sticks, right?) ... Then Read the verse aloud to them again.... , explaining that's how many times Jesus tells us to forgive. I'm sure they will say "Woooh, that's a LOT!!" Since you have multiple ages in your Children's Church group have the younger children and older children work together to count out the 70 craft sticks and let the youngest children be the ones to dump the bundles into the large bowl.
Lisa B from NC |
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| I wouldn't bother teaching the percentages. Unless, it will it help the children understand that Jesus does not want us to limit the number of times we forgive. I always recommend staying with the big picture when teaching children so they learn one main point. “Always forgive”. I don't think Jesus was teaching a Math lesson. He was illustrating that there is no limit to the number of times you are expected to forgive. If you want to add to that illustration, tell them that the Jewish laws of the day said you had to forgive 7 times….Jesus didn’t just want us to limit our forgiveness, but to give it freely. That’s why Jesus said forgive 70 times 7.
Lisa B from NC |
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| | A couple of years ago we did a fun activity with the kids on this point. We used the sponge balls that you get for pools, but get them dry! The kids worked in pairs and stood about 8 -10 feet apart. They tossed the ball to their partner and began counting. Each time the ball was dropped or a throw was bad, the child who dropped it said "Will you all forgive me?" and everyone shouted "YES!" Then they all started counting over again! They never got to 490, of course!
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