Day 1: God Is Merciful!
Because GOD IS MERCIFUL, I know He forgives me when I sincerely ask in Jesus' name!
Read or quote the memory verse: But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him. - Daniel 9:9, Discover God Bible, (NLT).
NOTE: Parents, make sure you have some paper and pencils handy. Toilet paper and felt markers would be even better.
Mercy is when someone doesn't make you suffer the consequences you deserve.
Listen to this story about a criminal named Sam Brown and what happened to him when it was time to pay for his crimes:
Be Free.
Sam Brown trembled with fear. Everyone knew that the judge he stood before was the toughest and fairest judge in the land. And for Sam, this spelled doom. He knew he deserved the harshest penalty for there was no doubt about his guilt.
The judge's voice was strong and solemn. "You have been found guilty," he pronounced to the prisoner as well as the overflowing court room. Everyone held their breath, waiting for what they were sure would come next. Sam's crimes deserved life in "The Pit," a horrible place where no one ever left alive. Sam hung his head.
Suddenly to everyone's shock, the judge did something that had never been done before. He said to the prisoner, "Justice must be served. You are guilty. There is no reason to love you. Nevertheless, I do love you, in spite of yourself. And because of my love for you, I have decided to take your place. You are free, Sam Brown. You can go now. Don't do this again." The judge pounded his gavel. The courtroom was silent.
After a stunned moment, courtroom guards unlocked the shackles that secured Sam. The judge took off his judge's robe and snapped the irons on his wrists and ankles. As the judge was led away to "The Pit," tears of gratitude flowed down Sam's cheeks. He ran up to the judge, pushing his way through the crowd. "Thank you!" he cried out, "Thank you! I love you Dad, I love you!"
- - -
The judge loved Sam, but his love could not erase the consequences for Sam's actions. A price had to be paid or the judge would not be just.
How did the judge show mercy to Sam? (He paid the price in Sam's place.)
Why do you think he did it? (He loved Sam.)
The Bible says there are consequences to our sin.
Let's see what Romans 6:23 says:
The wages of sin is death. - Romans 6:23, Discover God Bible, (NLT).
God says that what we earn and deserve because of our sins is death. He's talking about something more than your body dying. He's talking about being separated from Him forever.
NOTE: The Adventure on "Holiness" will help your children understand the "whys" behind this.
Think about the bad things you have said, done, and thought about doing this past week. Using the pencils or markers, write or draw a picture of some of those bad things on the paper. (If you are using markers and toilet paper, be sure to put cardboard or something under the toilet paper so that the marker does not bleed through.)
Hold onto the paper for a minute, and let's read from the Bible.
Ephesians 2:4, 5 says:
God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God's grace that you have been saved! - Ephesians 2:4, 5, Discover God Bible, (NLT).
What is God rich in? (Mercy.)
God's mercy is so amazing that He sent His only Son to die a horrible death on a cross so that the penalty for our sins would be paid and we could have our sins forgiven!
Who do you think would be the hardest person for you to give mercy to:
- Someone who is mean to you?
- Someone who lies to you?
- Someone who deliberately breaks something of yours?
- Why is it hard to give that person mercy?
Listen to whom God gives mercy:
Since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of His Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. - Romans 5:10, 11, Discover God Bible, (NLT).
Were we Jesus' friends when He died on the cross? (No.)
What does the verse say we are without God's mercy? (Enemies of God.)
Because of God's great love and mercy, He allowed people to kill Jesus to pay for our sins. There is no greater mercy than God's mercy.
Let's take the paper we wrote our sins on and get rid of it. (Toilet paper can be flushed; paper can be burned or ripped up and thrown away.)
Thank God that because of His mercy all our sins are washed away and paid for.
Why does it matter?
Because God is Merciful, He suffered and paid for your sins. You don't have to worry about them.
Talk with God and Stay Connected to the Vine!
Thank God for showing compassion on you even when you don't deserve it. Ask Him to help you show mercy to someone who is difficult to love even when you don't think they deserve it.
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