Rez - Week 5 Day 3 - God Leads Me to Forgive!
- Jun 24
- 6 min read
(Pearl Site does not have Devotion Curriculum this week due to VBS Week!)
June 24, 2026
Today at Son Seekers:
Your child learned that God leads us to forgive. We talked about how forgiveness does not mean pretending something did not happen, saying hurtful choices are okay, or ignoring unsafe behavior. Forgiveness means God helps our hearts let go of payback and choose mercy.
Today, children learned that because God forgives us, we can learn to forgive others.
Today’s Simple Truth:
Because God forgives me, I can learn to forgive others.
Bible Verse We Talked About:
Ephesians 4:32 (New International Reader’s Version)
32 Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive one another, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done.
In Simple Words:
Ephesians 4:32 teaches us to be kind and tender to one another. It also teaches us to forgive others because God forgives us.
Today, children learned that forgiveness is not the same as saying, “It’s okay,” when something was not okay. Forgiveness does not mean the wrong thing did not matter. It does not mean trust is automatically fixed. It does not mean a child should stay quiet if someone keeps hurting them.
Forgiveness means God helps us choose not to keep trying to punish, pay back, or hold the hurt over someone.
We talked about how everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes people say hurtful words, leave someone out, grab something, blame someone else, break trust, or refuse to say sorry. When that happens, we may feel sad, mad, embarrassed, or upset.
Those feelings are real.
God does not ask us to pretend we are fine. But He does help our hearts choose a better next step than payback. Children learned that they can tell the truth, ask for help, use repair words, give space when needed, and ask God to help them forgive.
God forgives us with mercy and love. Because He forgives us, He can help us learn to forgive others too.
Ask Your Child:
What does it mean to forgive someone?
Does forgiveness mean the wrong thing was okay?
What can you say when you need to apologize?
What can you say when someone says sorry to you?
What should you do if someone keeps hurting you?
Try This Together:
Talk through a simple forgiveness situation.
For example:
“What should someone do if a friend says something unkind?”
“What should someone do if someone apologizes after hurting their feelings?”
“What should someone do if they feel like getting back at someone?”
“What should someone do if the same person keeps being hurtful?”
Then ask:
“What would forgiveness look like?”
“What would repair look like?”
“Would this need space, help, or a trusted adult?”
You can practice these simple phrases together:
“I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you.”
“Thank you for saying sorry.”
“Please don’t do that again.”
“I need space.”
“I need help.”
“Can I make it right?”
You can remind your child:
“Forgiveness does not mean pretending it did not hurt. Forgiveness means we ask God to help us let go of payback and take a wise next step.”
Simple Prayer Option:
If praying out loud is new for your family, you can simply read this together:
“God, thank You for forgiving us with mercy and love. Help us learn to forgive others. When we are hurt, help us tell the truth, ask for help, and choose mercy instead of payback. When we hurt someone else, help us apologize, repair, and make a better choice. Shape our hearts to forgive because You forgive us. Amen.”
If You Are New to This:
You do not have to make this complicated. A simple question like, “What would a wise next step be?” can help your child think about forgiveness and repair.
It is also okay to remind your child that forgiveness and safety go together. Forgiveness does not mean keeping hurt a secret. If someone is hurting them, scaring them, or continuing to do something wrong, getting help from a safe adult is wise and important.
Parent Encouragement:
Children learn forgiveness by watching adults handle hurt, apology, repair, and conflict. When they see you apologize honestly, forgive without pretending, tell the truth calmly, and set wise boundaries, they learn that forgiveness is both merciful and strong.
Forgiveness does not erase consequences. It does not instantly rebuild trust. But it does keep payback, bitterness, and resentment from becoming the leader of our hearts.
God leads us to forgive because He has forgiven us. With His help, our homes and relationships can become places where truth, mercy, repair, and healing have room to grow.
Adult Devotion:
Forgiven to Forgive
Scripture: Ephesians 4:32 NIV
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Devotional Reading:
Ephesians 4:32 gives a simple but deeply challenging invitation: be kind, be compassionate, and forgive others because God has forgiven us in Christ.
Forgiveness sounds beautiful until it becomes personal.
It is one thing to talk about forgiveness in general. It is another thing to forgive when someone’s words still echo in your mind, when trust has been damaged, when an apology feels incomplete, or when the same situation keeps coming back up in your heart.
Many adults carry old hurts quietly. Sometimes we carry them as anger. Sometimes as distance. Sometimes as sarcasm, guardedness, resentment, or the need to bring the past back into the room during every new conflict. We may not call it unforgiveness, but we know what it feels like when a hurt still has power over us.
Ephesians 4:32 does not ask us to pretend that hurt does not matter. God does not treat sin, harm, or brokenness as small. Forgiveness is not denial. It is not saying, “It was fine,” when it was not fine. It is not removing every consequence or rebuilding trust instantly.
Forgiveness is choosing, with God’s help, to release the need for payback.
That does not mean the relationship immediately goes back to normal. Trust may need time. Boundaries may still be wise. Honest conversations may still be needed. Some situations require outside help, accountability, or distance. Forgiveness and wisdom belong together.
But forgiveness keeps bitterness from becoming the leader of our hearts.
This matters in parenting because children are watching how we handle hurt, apology, repair, and conflict. They notice whether adults apologize. They notice whether old mistakes are brought up again and again. They notice whether forgiveness means pretending, exploding, shutting down, or slowly learning to repair.
We do not have to model perfect forgiveness. We can model honest forgiveness.
That may sound like:
“I was hurt, but I am asking God to help my heart.”
“I forgive you, and we still need to talk about what changes.”
“I should not have spoken that way. Will you forgive me?”
“I need a little time, but I do not want to hold on to anger.”
“I love you, and we are going to work on repairing this.”
Children need to know that forgiveness is not weakness. It is not pretending. It is not allowing someone to keep hurting them. Forgiveness is a strong and honest choice to let God help our hearts release revenge and move toward mercy, truth, and healing.
The reason we forgive is not because hurt is small.
We forgive because God’s mercy toward us is great.
In Christ, God has forgiven us with kindness and compassion. He does not define us only by our worst moments. He makes room for repentance, repair, mercy, and new life.
Today, ask God to show you where forgiveness may need to begin again. Maybe it is in a family relationship. Maybe it is in a friendship. Maybe it is toward someone who disappointed you. Maybe it is even toward yourself as you receive the mercy God has already given.
Forgiveness may not happen all at once. Sometimes it starts with a prayer. Sometimes it starts with telling the truth. Sometimes it starts with asking God, “Help me want to forgive.”
That is a faithful place to begin.
Adult Reflection Questions:
Where might I be holding on to hurt, resentment, or the desire for payback?
Is there a relationship where I need both forgiveness and wise boundaries?
How can I model apology, repair, and forgiveness in a healthy way for my child?
Simple Prayer:
“God, thank You for forgiving me with kindness and compassion. Help me receive Your mercy and extend mercy to others. Show me where I am holding on to hurt, resentment, or payback. Give me wisdom to forgive without pretending, set boundaries when needed, and move toward repair where it is possible. Shape my heart to look more like Jesus. Amen.”
Next Steps:
Think of one relationship or situation where forgiveness is difficult.
Pray this simple prayer:
“God, help me release payback and receive Your mercy.”
Then consider one wise next step:
Offer an honest apology.
Have a calm conversation.
Stop bringing up an old hurt as a weapon.
Ask for help from a trusted person.
Set a wise boundary.
Pray for God to soften your heart over time.
