GOD’S MERCY

 

memory verse for this unit

“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving” (Daniel 9:9a, NIV*).

objectives of this unit

This unit will help the children:• Understand that Cain ignored what God said and let bad thoughts lead him to do bad deeds• Know that Noah decided to obey God, even when no one else did• Understand that those who love and obey God experience his love and care in a special way• Have the certainty that when God makes a promise, we can be sure that he will fulfill it.

the reason we teach this unit

The book of Genesis is fundamental in its entirety. But, it has key passages that can help elementary children understand that mercy is one of God’s most salient features. The tragic story of Cain and Abel and the salvation of Noah show his love and justice with great clarity. Today children learn easily the culture of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”; but God wants them to cross onto the path in front of them and become forgivers. Make it clear to the students that these stories are not make-believe but they are real. God is still that way today. In addition, through these lessons you can teach them that God is merciful, and that he cautions us: “I want mercy and not sacrifice.” This means that before rituals, promises and pilgrimages of faith, God wants us to love our neighbors.

* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™