Preparation

Before the lesson photocopy resource sheet.
Read Psalm 51:1-4

Lesson

The children are to imagine that they are God looking down from Heaven. Who are the really bad people whom He sees. Make a list of these groups on the board.

Ask the children to devise some fitting punishments for these bad people.

In groups or as a class, children to compile a list of punishments for a particular group.

Now as they are studying prayer, do the children feel it is right that they should ask God to bring these punishments about? Will God do it? If not, why not? Should Christians pray like this? Would they expect to find a prayer such as this in the Bible?

Together read the extract from Psalm 58.

Why do the children think this prayer is in the Bible? To help them understand, read A Poison Tree by William Blake.

Role play a situation where you are angry with a pupil and express your thoughts to her/him. Repeat role play, but this time, don't tell him/her. But instead show how your anger can grow fuelled by old grievances and the wrath of others towards your foe.

Christians believe that prayer is not just thinking aloud but is a two-way conversation. And as they tell God what is on their hearts, God often will make them realize certain truths.

Ask the children to reflect on the fact that someone in the class might very well consider them to be bad and worthy of punishment because of something they did wrong. Allow them some time to reflect on the wrongs they have done. Can they forgive themselves for these things?

Christians believe that all people have done wrong, but God, they believe, has the power to forgive. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus places forgiveness from God alongside food. Christians believe it is as important as that. Why?

Explain to the children that Christians try not to carry around with them all the bad things they have done, because they believe God has forgiven them.

The Psalms may contain a number of prayers expressing anger towards others, but these are by far outnumbered by prayers of confession and asking God for His forgiveness.

Read Psalm 51:1-4

Christians believe that as God forgives them, they should forgive people like those written on the board. What do the children think?

Notes

You could extend this lesson into English with the children writing letters or prayers of forgiveness or apology.