Christian Forgiveness and Reconciliation Lesson Plan

1. Scripture and Forgiveness Exercises

After reading the texts provided by the professor, students must complete the following sentences:

• Many ... and ... sat to eat with Jesus.
• Jesus said: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick."
• Jesus replied to Peter: "You must forgive until seventy times seven."
• Jesus told his apostles: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven."
• On the cross, Jesus said: "Father, forgive them, they do not know what they do."

2. The Sacrament of Forgiveness

The second session focuses on the Sacrament of Forgiveness. We often communicate through gestures; sometimes a gesture is worth a thousand words. In pairs, students will demonstrate gestures of forgiveness to the class.

Group Activity: Forgiveness Mural

Create a mural on forgiveness. Write three sentences on a card to be used to express forgiveness and include drawings.

Sacrament Ritual

Complete the mural with the words the priest says when he administers the Sacrament of Forgiveness: "I forgive you in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

3. Reflection on Reconciliation

Complete the sentences using the provided words (peace, priest, all, forgiveness, reconciliation, love):

• When we forgive, we are in ....
• The ... forgives the sins of Christians in the name of Jesus.
• The Sacrament of Forgiveness is also called the ....
• Jesus forgives ....
• God created us for ....
• Jesus taught us to ....

4. Final Activity: Song of Friendship

Students must copy the following song and underline the sentence they believe is most important:

Put your hand in the hand of the one who shakes your hand,
put your hand in the hand of the one that says: "Come." He will be your friend till eternity. Put your hand in the hand of the one that says: "Come." Open roads even if we fight. Put your hand in the hand of one who says: "Come."

5. Key Takeaways

To finish, recall that:

• People do not always behave well.
• When we do something wrong, we move away from people and God.
• God is like a father, always ready to forgive.
• Jesus forgave everyone and welcomed sinners.
• Jesus tells us to forgive others.
• Through the Sacrament of Forgiveness, we reconcile with God and our brothers.
• When we ask for forgiveness, we change our attitude.

Assessment Criteria

• Understands and can explain the Christian concept of "God as Father."
• Knows and can explain the meaning of the "Parable of the Prodigal Son."
• Understands the attitude of forgiveness and commitment derived from wanting to be forgiven.
• Rates the importance of repentance and forgiveness.