Let It Go!

…[love] keeps no record of wrongs.  1 Corinthians 13:5

Props: 3 backpacks, 6-8 “bricks” labeled with various offenses

Judge: Okay, here’s how it works.  You each have a backpack.  Whenever you do something wrong, a brick will be added to your backpack and you have to carry it around all day.  Understand? 

Kid 1 and 2: Yep!

Kid 1 (to Kid 2): This is great!  Now you’ll finally get what’s coming to you.  (to judge)  Last year, he tripped me when I was walking down the hall at school.  I dropped my books and they went flying everywhere!  I was so embarrassed…and hurt. I was hurt!

Judge pulls out a brick and sets it down.

Kid 2: (Solemnly) I said I was sorry.

Kid 1: (to judge) And 6 months ago he knocked over my drink in the cafeteria.  I got chocolate milk all over my new pants.

Judge adds a brick to the first.

Kid 2: But I offered to help clean up, and I apologized.

Kid 1: (to judge) Last month he borrowed my video game, and I haven’t seen it since.

Judge adds a brick to the pile.

Kid 2: I’ll bring it back…

Kid 1: (to judge) He even called me a name last week.

Judge adds a brick to the pile.

Kid 2:  I’m sorry.

Kid 1: And yesterday he chose four other kids to be on his team before me.

Judge adds a brick to the pile.

 Judge: Well, it looks like we’ve got quite a pile of bricks built up here.  (Places all of the bricks in the backpack of Kid 1).

Kid 1: (shocked) Judge, you’ve made a mistake.  These bricks are supposed to go in his backpack.  He’s the one who’s done everything wrong.          

 Judge:  He’s already done his part to make things right by asking forgiveness.  You’re the one that can’t let go of these things by refusing to forgive and forget!   So you’re the one that’s going to have to carry them around.  They’ll be with you until you can learn to forgive.

 (All walk toward exit).

Kid 1: But I can’t live like this!  How am I supposed to do anything?

Judge:  It’s very hard to live when you’re carrying everyone else’s mistakes around.

(Exit).

Teacher: (Use extra backpack and bricks as you teach).  Keeping a record of wrongs means keeping track of what others have done wrong, remembering it, and reminding them of it.  What you’re really doing is carrying their mistake around yourself.  Who is the one who suffers for that?  (Allow for response).  If you do not forgive others, you are the one who suffers for it, because you are the one carrying the bad feelings around.  (Begin taking the bricks out of the backpack).  When you forgive, you choose to let go of what someone has done to you and it frees you up.  It will make you feel better on the inside.  God doesn’t want us to walk around so sad and weighed down all the time.  That’s why He told us to forgive.  True love is quick to forgive.