Fun with Character: The Gift of Forgiveness

Wrap a large empty box with a solid color paper and decorate with a bow. Explain that forgiving someone is like giving a gift to both the one who is forgiven and the one who is offering the forgiveness. Have each of the students sign their name on the package. You can do this before you start or you can have them sign when they are the forgiver. Pass the box around the room giving each child the opportunity to practice asking for and granting forgiveness using the box as a physical representation of the gift of forgiveness. These exchanges can be generic by simply saying “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?” with a reply being “I forgive you.” After everyone has had a chance to practice you can have another round where they can volunteer to ask or grant a true, heartfelt apology to a classmate of their choosing. Optionally, you could have the students write down things they are sorry for or things that have offended them and place them in the box before wrapping.

To process this activity, ask these questions:

• When you saw the gift did you think it was someone’s birthday?

• Were you more comfortable asking for forgiveness or granting it?

• Have you ever thought of forgiveness as a gift?

• Did you know that when you gift forgiveness to someone it is also a gift to yourself?

• Do you think this will make it easier in real life to ask for or grant forgiveness?