Jesus Has Power to Forgive Sins – Basic 4 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

The Meaning of Sin

What is Sin?

Sin = Doing wrong things that make God sad and break His rules

Simple Definition

• Sin is disobeying God
• Sin is doing what God says not to do
• Sin is not doing what God wants us to do
• Sin separates us from God

Examples of Sin

Sins of Action (Things We Do Wrong):

• Telling lies
• Stealing things that don’t belong to us
• Being mean to others
• Fighting and hurting people
• Being disrespectful to parents and teachers

Sins of Words (Wrong Things We Say):

• Using bad language
• Saying hurtful things to others
• Gossiping about people
• Using God’s name in wrong ways
• Shouting at parents

Sins of Thoughts (Wrong Things We Think):

• Being jealous of what others have
• Hating someone in our heart
• Having bad thoughts about others
• Being proud and thinking we’re better than others
• Not caring about people who need help

Why Sin is Bad

• Sin hurts our relationship with God
• Sin hurts other people
• Sin hurts ourselves
• Sin brings sadness and problems
• Sin separates us from God’s love and blessings

The Result of Sin

• All people are sinners (Romans 3:23)
• Sin leads to death (Romans 6:23)
• We cannot save ourselves from sin
• We need someone to rescue us from sin
• That someone is Jesus!

Definition of Forgiveness

What is Forgiveness?

Forgiveness = Not punishing someone for the wrong things they have done

Simple Explanation

• Forgiveness means saying “I won’t punish you”
• It means treating someone as if they never did wrong
• It means giving someone another chance
• It means removing the guilt and shame of sin

What Forgiveness Does

• Removes guilt – We don’t feel bad about our sin anymore
• Restores relationship – We can be friends with God again
• Brings peace – Our hearts feel calm and happy
• Gives hope – We know God still loves us
• Makes us clean – God washes away our sins

What Forgiveness is NOT

• Forgiveness doesn’t mean sin is okay
• It doesn’t mean there are no consequences
• It doesn’t mean we can keep sinning
• It doesn’t mean we don’t need to change

God’s Forgiveness

• God is always ready to forgive
• His forgiveness is complete and total
• He forgets our sins when He forgives us
• God’s forgiveness is free – we can’t earn it
• We receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus

Examples Showing Jesus has Power to Forgive Sins

Example 1: The Paralyzed Man (Mark 2:1-12)

The Story:

• A paralyzed man couldn’t walk
• His four friends wanted to bring him to Jesus
• The house was too crowded to get in
• They climbed on the roof and made a hole
• They lowered their friend down to Jesus

What Jesus Did:

• Jesus saw their faith
• He said to the paralyzed man: “Son, your sins are forgiven”
• The religious leaders were angry and said “Only God can forgive sins!”
• Jesus said “Which is easier – to forgive sins or make him walk?”
• To prove He could forgive sins, Jesus said “Get up, take your mat and walk”
• The man immediately stood up and walked home

What This Shows:

• Jesus has power to forgive sins
• Jesus proved His power by healing the man
• Even the enemies had to admit Jesus had special power
• Jesus cares about our spiritual needs (forgiveness) and physical needs (healing)

Example 2: The Woman Who Sinned (Luke 7:36-50)

The Story:

• A woman who lived a sinful life came to Jesus
• She was crying and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears
• She dried His feet with her hair and put perfume on them
• A Pharisee named Simon thought this was wrong

What Jesus Did:

• Jesus told a story about two people who owed money
• One owed a lot, the other owed a little
• Both had their debts canceled (forgiven)
• Jesus asked “Who will love more?” Simon said “The one who was forgiven more”
• Jesus said to the woman: “Your sins are forgiven”
• The people wondered “Who is this that even forgives sins?”

What This Shows:

• Jesus forgives even people who have sinned a lot
• When we are forgiven much, we love Jesus more
• Jesus has authority to declare sins forgiven
• Forgiveness brings great joy and love

Example 3: The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:39-43)

The Story:

• Jesus was dying on the cross between two criminals
• One criminal made fun of Jesus
• The other criminal defended Jesus and asked for mercy
• He said “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom”

What Jesus Did:

• Jesus promised him “Today you will be with me in paradise”
• Jesus forgave the thief even though he was dying
• The thief didn’t have time to do good works
• Jesus saved him just because he believed and asked

What This Shows:

• Jesus can forgive anyone, anytime
• We don’t have to do good works to earn forgiveness
• Even the worst sinners can be saved
• Jesus forgives immediately when we truly ask

Example 4: Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Luke 19:1-10)

The Story:

• Zacchaeus was a short, rich tax collector
• Everyone hated him because he cheated people
• He climbed a tree to see Jesus
• Jesus called him down and went to his house

What Jesus Did:

• Jesus showed love to Zacchaeus when others rejected him
• Zacchaeus felt sorry for his sins and promised to pay back what he stole
• He gave half his money to the poor
• Jesus said “Today salvation has come to this house”

What This Shows:

• Jesus seeks out sinners to save them
• True forgiveness leads to changed behavior
• Jesus came to seek and save the lost
• No one is too bad for Jesus to save

Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. Sin is doing _______ things that make God sad.
2. Forgiveness means not _______ someone for wrong they did.
3. Jesus proved He could forgive sins by _______ the paralyzed man.
4. The thief on the cross asked Jesus to _______ him.

Exercise 2: True or False

1. Only small sins can be forgiven by Jesus. _____
2. We have to do good works to earn God’s forgiveness. _____
3. Jesus forgave the woman who washed His feet with tears. _____
4. All people are sinners and need forgiveness. _____