Sunday School Lesson on Forgiveness Activity

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Sunday School Lesson on Forgiveness Activity

Into the Lesson

Have the following question displayed beforewudents arrive: "Can God use non-Christian or'godly people to accomplish His purpose? Giveexamples." Have small groups of three to fiveniscuss the question. Then ask groups to sharetheir conclusions and illustrations with thewhole class.

Next, make the transition to Bible study bysaying, "Yes, God can use ungodly people to ac-amnplish His purpose. We'll find another exam-* of God's sovereignty in this regard in today's.esson from Israel's history."

Into the Word

Begin with a brief lecture titled "The Chroni-cles Factor," using the Lesson Background. Haveon display a picture of Solomon's temple whileyou speak.

Next, use three or more groups of four to fivepeople each to do the following tasks.

Group #1: Decree Ordained: God's Working-2 Chronicles 36:22. Read today's printed text andfocus on your assigned verse. Prepare and de-liver to the class a brief lecture with outline. Apossible outline is

1. Babylon and Persia

II. Cyrus's Attitude

HI. The Lord's Will

IV. Isaiah's Prophecy

Group #2: Decree Ordained: Cyrus's Words-2 Chronicles 36:23. Read today's printed text andfocus on your assigned verse. Prepare and de-liver to the class a brief lecture with outline. Apossible outline is

I.Cyrus: Instrument of God

II."Go Up"

Group #3: Decree Obeyed—Ezra 1:5-7. Readtoday's printed text and focus on your assignedverses. Prepare and deliver to the class a brieflecture with outline. A possible outline is

I.Those Who Went

II.Neighbors Who Helped

III. Cyrus, Who Helped

In addition to the written assignments above,give each group the following materials: a posterboard with the group headings (but not the pos-sible outlines) already written, a marker, and aphotocopy of the lesson commentary on theverses assigned. Explain that their combined ef-forts will provide a comprehensive outline andstudy of today's text.

Each group will select two people to make thepresentation to the class. One will deliver a brieflecture on the assigned passage and another per-son will write the outline for all to see as the re-port is being delivered.

Into Life

After each group reports, offer the followingfor discussion: (1) The doctrine of God's grace isoften thought of as a New Testament doctrine.However, God's grace is often demonstrated inthe Old Testament too. How do you see God'sgrace powerfully at work in this piece of history?(You may need also to ask for a definition ofgrace.) (2) The terms return and restoration arekey concepts in this Old Testament picture ofGod's grace. How are those terms appropriate fordescribing people's response to the gospel mes-sage today?

After discussion, say, "We can personalize theconcepts of return and restoration in our owntestimonies." Give each student an index cardand ask him or her to write "My Journey" at thetop. Ask each student to jot notes about his orher life's spiritual journey, including them in apersonal testimony.

Testimonies should include the concepts of re-turn and restoration. Students who have ac-cepted Jesus as Savior should include that in thetestimony. Those who haven't can still makenotes about their heart's movement toward oraway from Him. Ask two volunteers to sharetheir testimonies. Then ask the class as a whole,"How will you share your testimony this week?"

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