LJ & Family
Mean Words: A Bible Story for Kids About Saying Sorry and Forgiveness
Episode 12 of LJ & Family, a free animated Christian cartoon for kids ages 3–10. Watch the 3:26 video together, then use the free family guide, Sunday school lesson plan and coloring page below.
The story
On Saturday, LJ’s big sister Londyn is practicing her keyboard song for church, and LJ really wants a turn. When she says “not right now,” LJ gets so mad he shouts, “You’re mean! I wish you weren’t my sister!” Londyn quietly closes her keyboard and walks away, and LJ’s angry feeling turns into a heavy, sad one. Mom kneels down and reminds him that words are powerful: they can build someone up, or tear them down. Dad tells LJ about the day he shouted mean words at his best friend, and how saying sorry first made things right again. So LJ makes Londyn a card with a big red heart, says sorry, and Londyn forgives him and teaches him a song. Then Grandma tells him how Joseph’s brothers were mean to him, and Joseph forgave them anyway.
“And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.”Ephesians 4:32 (WEB)
Talk about it and pray together
Talk about it
- How did LJ’s words make Londyn feel? How did LJ feel afterwards?
- Why does saying sorry take courage? Who helped LJ find the courage?
- Joseph forgave his brothers. Is there someone you can forgive, or say sorry to, this week?
Pray together
God, thank You for forgiving me. Help my words build people up and not tear them down. When I hurt someone, give me courage to say sorry, and when someone hurts me, help me forgive like You do. Amen.
Free printables for this episode
Everything is free to print and share at home, in class or at church.
For parents
How do you teach a child to say sorry and mean it, especially after a fight with a brother or sister? This episode gives you a gentle way to start that conversation. Watch it together, then ask the three questions above at dinner or bedtime.
A ready-to-teach Sunday school lesson about forgiveness and Joseph
The free lesson plan turns this video into a 30–45 minute lesson for children’s church or Sunday school: welcome question, the video, the Bible story, an activity, the memory verse and a closing prayer.
- Ages
- 3–10 (preschool to grade 4)
- Memory verse
- Ephesians 4:32 (WEB)
- Bible story
- Joseph forgives his brothers (Genesis 37, 45 and 50)
- Theme
- Kind words, saying sorry and forgiving
- Video
- 3:26, captions in English, Español, Português and Français
Save this lesson for later
Pin it to your Sunday school or family devotions board so it’s there when you need it.
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