This lesson teaches children that God helps us forgive people, and that we can share the sweet smell of Jesus’ love wherever we go. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God helps us forgive people who hurt us, and when we do, we help others feel Jesus’ love. Forgiving is a way of sharing God’s goodness with the people around us.
Memory Verse
2 Corinthians 2:14
Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cup their hands in front of their noses and breathe in deeply, as if smelling fresh bread. Then have them open their arms wide, as if spreading a good smell to everyone in the room. Practice the motion together three times.
The Story: 2 Corinthians 2 for Kids
Paul was a missionary who loved the church in Corinth very much. Once, he wrote them a letter that made some of them feel sad, because he had to correct them about a serious problem. Paul did not want to visit them again while they were still upset with each other. He wanted them to be happy together.
Paul told the church that he had cried many tears while writing that letter. He did not want to hurt them. He wanted them to know how much he loved them. Someone in the church had caused sorrow, and the church had already given that person a punishment. Paul said it was enough.
Then Paul asked the church to forgive that person and comfort him. Paul said that if they did not, the man might become too sad and feel crushed by his mistake. Forgiveness could help him feel loved again. Paul asked them to show their love to him, just as God shows love to us.
Paul also talked about a friend named Titus. He went to the city of Troas to share the Good News about Jesus, and a door opened for him there. But Paul felt worried because he did not find Titus. So Paul said goodbye to the people and traveled on to Macedonia to look for him.
Paul thanked God because God always leads His people in victory through Jesus. Paul said that people who follow Jesus are like a sweet smell that spreads everywhere. Some people receive that smell as life, and others do not. Paul said that his job was to speak honestly and truthfully about God.
Read It Together
2 Corinthians 2:4
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you.
(WEB)
Point out that Paul wrote with tears because he loved these people. Ask the children how someone can be sad and still show love. Help them see that correcting someone can be a kind thing to do.
2 Corinthians 2:7
So that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.
(WEB)
Show the children that Paul asked the church to forgive and comfort the person who had caused sorrow. Explain that forgiveness can help a person who feels bad about a mistake. Point out the word “comfort” and ask what comfort looks like.
2 Corinthians 2:10
Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ…
(WEB)
Explain that Paul forgave because he wanted to follow Jesus’ example. Remind the children that forgiving others is something God does for us too. Encourage them to think about who they might need to forgive this week.
Talk About It
- What is one thing that made you feel sad this week, and how did you feel afterward?
- Why do you think Paul cried while he wrote his letter to the church?
- What helps you feel better when someone has hurt your feelings?
- How can forgiving someone help both you and that person?
- What does it look like to share Jesus’ love with the people in your home or school?
Activity Ideas
Smelling Flowers Craft
Gather paper, crayons, markers, and cotton balls or scented stickers if you have them. Have each child draw a large flower and color it brightly. Then glue a cotton ball in the center and add a dab of vanilla or a scented sticker to it. Explain that just as the flower gives off a sweet smell, Christians can spread Jesus’ love wherever they go.
Sweet Smell Relay
Set up two cups of cotton balls on opposite sides of the room. Dab a few drops of vanilla on some of the cotton balls, and leave the rest plain. Have children race to carry the scented cotton balls across the room, one at a time, placing them in a bowl. As they play, remind them that sharing kindness is like spreading a sweet smell.
Forgiveness Reminder Card
Give each child an index card or a small piece of paper. Ask them to write or draw one person they can forgive this week, along with a simple promise to show that person kindness. Encourage them to keep the card in a pocket, backpack, or on the refrigerator at home. Review the cards together at the next lesson.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that godly correction and forgiveness go together. Paul corrected the church out of genuine love, and he asked them to restore a repentant believer rather than keep him in sorrow. The passage also shows that Christians carry the fragrance of Christ into the world, whether it is received as life or rejected.
Avoid suggesting to children that the sweet smell of Christ is something they must produce on their own through effort. Paul says God leads us in triumph and reveals His knowledge through us. Keep the focus on God’s work in them, not on pressure to perform.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us and helping us forgive people who hurt us. Help us share Your sweet love with everyone we meet this week. Lead us in Your goodness, and help us be kind and gentle with one another. Amen.
