Free Bible lessons for kids · 8 lessons
Bible lessons about forgiveness for kids
Forgiveness runs through the whole Bible. God forgives everyone who turns to Him through Jesus Christ, and He calls His children to forgive one another the way He has forgiven them.
These free Bible lessons for kids all teach forgiveness. Each one comes with an animated story film told word for word from the King James Version, a coloring page, a class sheet, a teacher guide with a 45-minute plan, questions with answers and a game.
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
- Lessons
- 8
- Passages
- Genesis 33:1–11, Genesis 42:1–38, Genesis 45:1–15, Jonah 3:1–4:11, Mark 2:1–12, Luke 15:11–32, and more
- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Each lesson
- Story film (KJV), coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
- Cost
- Free: no subscription, no cost per child, no sign-up to teach
Bible stories that teach forgiveness
Jacob and Esau Meet Again
Genesis 33:1–11 · story film
After twenty years away, Jacob came home and saw Esau coming with four hundred men. Jacob bowed himself to the ground seven times, but Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept. God had answered Jacob’s prayer (Genesis 32:11), and the two brothers made peace.
Big idea: God can heal broken families when we forgive.
Memory verse:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)Ask: Who was coming with Esau? Four hundred men (Genesis 33:1).
Game: Gift Train (about 10 minutes)
The Brothers Bow Down
Genesis 42:1–38 · story film
A great famine came, and Jacob sent ten of his sons down to Egypt to buy corn, but he kept Benjamin at home. Joseph was now the governor of the land, and his brothers bowed down before him with their faces to the earth, just as his dreams had said; he knew them, but they did not know him. Joseph spoke roughly to them to test them, and they said to one another, “We are verily guilty concerning our brother.”
Big idea: When we do wrong, God wants us to own it, and He is faithful to forgive.
Memory verse:
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (KJV)Ask: Why did Jacob send his sons down to Egypt? Because there was corn in Egypt, and they needed to buy food “that we may live, and not die” (Genesis 42:2).
Game: Who’s the Leader? (about 10 minutes)
I Am Joseph
Genesis 45:1–15 · story film
Joseph could not hold back his tears any longer: he sent everyone else out, wept aloud, and said to his brothers, “I am Joseph.” They were troubled and afraid, but Joseph said, “Come near to me,” and told them not to be angry with themselves, “for God did send me before you to preserve life.” Then he fell on Benjamin’s neck and wept, kissed all his brothers, and told them to bring their father down to Egypt.
Big idea: Joseph forgave his brothers, because he trusted that God had been at work all along.
Memory verse:
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:36 (KJV)Ask: What did Joseph say when he made himself known to his brothers? “I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?” and then, “I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt” (Genesis 45:3–4).
Game: Who’s Behind the Sheet? (about 10 minutes)
Jonah Goes to Nineveh
Jonah 3:1–4:11 · story film
The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, and this time he went to Nineveh and cried, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” The people believed God, and from the king to the least of them they turned from their evil way, so God spared the city. Jonah was angry, but God used a gourd, a worm and a hot east wind to show Jonah how much He cares for people.
Big idea: God is merciful, and He wants everyone to turn to Him.
Memory verse:
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
Psalm 103:8 (KJV)Ask: What did Jonah cry in Nineveh? “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4).
Game: Nineveh or Tarshish? (about 8 minutes)
Through the Roof
Mark 2:1–12 · Luke 5:17–26 · Matthew 9:1–8 · story film
The house was so crowded that four friends could not bring a man sick of the palsy to Jesus. They opened the roof and let him down. Jesus forgave his sins and told him to rise and walk.
Big idea: Jesus has power to forgive sins, so bring your friends to Him.
Memory verse:
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
Mark 2:5 (KJV)Ask: How many men carried their friend? Four.
Game: Through the Roof Relay (about 12 minutes)
The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11–32 · story film
A younger son took his inheritance and wasted it in a far country. When he came to himself, he went home to tell his father, “I have sinned.” His father saw him a great way off, ran to him and welcomed him with a feast.
Big idea: God the Father runs to welcome us home.
Memory verse:
For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Luke 15:24 (KJV)Ask: What did the younger son do with his money? He wasted his substance with riotous living.
Game: Welcome Home (about 10 minutes)
Feed My Sheep
John 21:15–19 · story film
Three times Jesus asked Peter, “Lovest thou me?” Three times Peter said yes, and Jesus told him to feed His sheep and follow Him.
Big idea: Jesus forgives and gives us work to do for Him.
Memory verse:
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
John 21:17 (KJV)Ask: How many times did Jesus ask Peter if he loved Him? Three times.
Game: Peter, Lovest Thou Me? (about 10 minutes)
Philemon and Onesimus
Philemon 1–25 · story film
Onesimus had gone away from his master Philemon, then met Paul and became a Christian. Paul sent him home with a letter asking Philemon to welcome him as a brother.
Big idea: Jesus helps us forgive and make things right.
Memory verse:
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Colossians 3:13 (KJV)Ask: Who went away from Philemon for a season? Onesimus.
Game: Welcome Cards (about 12 minutes)
Tips for teaching forgiveness
- Preschool: Use a simple picture: a dirty slate wiped clean. Say together, “God forgives, and we forgive.”
- Elementary: Act out Joseph forgiving his brothers or the father welcoming his son home, then talk about how each person felt.
- Preteens: Ask why forgiving is hard, and read how Joseph saw God at work even in what his brothers did (Genesis 50:20).
Plan it as a series: 8 weeks
| Week 1 | Jacob and Esau Meet Again (Genesis 33:1–11). God can heal broken families when we forgive. |
|---|---|
| Week 2 | The Brothers Bow Down (Genesis 42:1–38). When we do wrong, God wants us to own it, and He is faithful to forgive. |
| Week 3 | I Am Joseph (Genesis 45:1–15). Joseph forgave his brothers, because he trusted that God had been at work all along. |
| Week 4 | Jonah Goes to Nineveh (Jonah 3:1–4:11). God is merciful, and He wants everyone to turn to Him. |
| Week 5 | Through the Roof (Mark 2:1–12). Jesus has power to forgive sins, so bring your friends to Him. |
| Week 6 | The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32). God the Father runs to welcome us home. |
| Week 7 | Feed My Sheep (John 21:15–19). Jesus forgives and gives us work to do for Him. |
| Week 8 | Philemon and Onesimus (Philemon 1–25). Jesus helps us forgive and make things right. |
Each week: welcome and pray, show the story film, talk through the questions, learn the memory verse, then color the page or do the class sheet.
Memory verses about forgiveness (KJV)
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32 · Jacob and Esau Meet Again
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 · The Brothers Bow Down
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Luke 6:36 · I Am Joseph
“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”
Psalm 103:8 · Jonah Goes to Nineveh
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
Mark 2:5 · Through the Roof
“For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
Luke 15:24 · The Prodigal Son
“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
John 21:17 · Feed My Sheep
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Colossians 3:13 · Philemon and Onesimus
Questions people ask
What does the Bible teach kids about forgiveness?
Forgiveness runs through the whole Bible. God forgives everyone who turns to Him through Jesus Christ, and He calls His children to forgive one another the way He has forgiven them. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32, KJV)
Which Bible stories teach forgiveness?
Jacob and Esau Meet Again (Genesis 33:1–11), The Brothers Bow Down (Genesis 42:1–38), I Am Joseph (Genesis 45:1–15), Jonah Goes to Nineveh (Jonah 3:1–4:11), Through the Roof (Mark 2:1–12), and 3 more on this page.
What does forgiveness mean for kids?
Forgiveness means letting go of getting even. God forgives our sins when we confess them (1 John 1:9), and because He has forgiven us, we forgive others (Ephesians 4:32).
How do I teach forgiveness to preschoolers?
Use a simple picture: a dirty slate wiped clean. Say together, “God forgives, and we forgive.”
Are these lessons free?
Yes. Every lesson, film, coloring page, class sheet and game is free for churches, families and schools, with no subscription, no cost per child and no sign-up needed to teach.
Which Bible translation is used?
The films and memory verses show the King James Version word for word. In the lessons you can switch the verses to the Berean Standard Bible, the ESV or dozens of other English Bibles, every verse is labelled with its translation, and tapping a verse on the film opens its whole chapter.
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