This lesson teaches children that God comforts us when we feel sad, worried, or sorry, and that he can help us make things right with people we have hurt. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is the one who comforts us. When we are sad or have done something wrong, God helps us feel better and helps us make things right.
Memory Verse
2 Corinthians 7:6
Nevertheless, he who comforts the lowly, God, comforted us by the coming of Titus…
(WEB)
Ask the children to put both hands on their hearts and then open their arms wide, like a hug. Say the words together, and do the hug motion every time you say “comforts.” Repeat it three times so the children remember God’s comfort with their whole bodies.
The Story: 2 Corinthians 7 for Kids
Paul was a helper who traveled to tell people about Jesus. He wrote letters to the friends he had met in a city called Corinth. In one letter, he had to say some hard things, and it made the Corinthian friends feel very sad.
Paul felt sad too, because he did not want to hurt anyone. Then his helper Titus came to find him in a place called Macedonia. Paul was very worried and tired, with trouble all around him. But God comforted Paul by sending Titus to him.
Titus brought good news. The Corinthian friends were sorry for what they had done, and they wanted to make things right. Titus said they were kind to him and welcomed him with respect. Paul was so happy, because he knew his friends truly loved God.
Paul told his friends that being sorry in a godly way is good. It helps us turn back to God and try to do what is right. When we are sorry for our wrongs, we can say, “I am sorry, please forgive me,” and God helps us start again.
Read It Together
2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
(WEB)
Point out the words “let us cleanse ourselves.” Explain that God wants us to keep our hearts clean and to love him with our whole selves. Ask the children what it means to keep a heart clean.
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
(WEB)
Show the children that feeling sorry for a wrong can lead us to God, so we can turn around and make things right. Point out that being sorry is a good thing when it helps us change, not a thing to be scared of.
2 Corinthians 7:15
His affection is more abundantly toward you, while he remembers all of your obedience, how with fear and trembling you received him.
(WEB)
Point out how Titus was welcomed with fear and trembling, meaning with great respect. Explain that treating people kindly and respectfully helps them feel loved and helps friendships grow.
Talk About It
- What is one thing that makes you feel comforted when you are sad?
- How did God comfort Paul when he was worried and tired?
- Why do you think saying sorry can help us feel better inside?
- What is one way you can make things right with someone you hurt?
- How can you show someone that God comforts us through the people around us?
Activity Ideas
Comfort Heart Card
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace a heart shape on the paper, cut it out, and decorate it. On the back, have them write or draw one way they can comfort someone this week. Let them give the card to a family member or friend.
Sorry and Set Free Relay
You will need two bowls, a handful of cotton balls, and a spoon. Set the bowls at one end of the room and the cotton balls at the other. Children carry cotton balls one at a time on the spoon to the other bowl, racing gently and carefully. Explain that carrying something carefully takes patience, just as making things right with others does.
Comfort Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Ask each family member to write one kind thing they did or one way God helped them on a slip and place it in the jar. Read the slips together at dinner once a week. This reminds the family that God’s comfort shows up in everyday moments.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that godly sorrow leads to repentance and new life, while worldly sorrow leads only to despair. Paul’s joy came not from his friends’ pain but from their turning back to God. It also shows that God often comforts us through other believers, like Titus.
Be careful not to make children feel that every sad feeling is a sin or that they must feel guilty all the time. Focus on the hope of forgiveness and on God’s kindness, so that children learn that sorrow for wrongs leads to growth and freedom.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for being the one who comforts us when we feel sad or worried. Help us say sorry when we do wrong, and help us make things right with the people we love. Thank you that you welcome us back every time we come to you. Amen.
