We had the behavioral change program with the Juveniles on Saturday the 30 July 2016. I was doing the program with Malefetsane and Sechaba. We started with the energizers as our icebreaker.
We talked about forgiveness. We had a very limited time so we didn’t show them a film from heartlines as we were prepared to show them. We gave the boys few minutes to think of any people they need to forgive. When the time collapsed we divided them into three small discussion groups. In each group the following questions were asked. What can you do to show them that they have been forgiven by you? Some replys to this question were: I can help them where necessary and show them the love of Christ in many ways. The other reply was, I can be the same as before we had conflicts and be friendly.
I can give them a gift, this was also one of the reply. What makes it hard to take the first step to reconcile with someone who has wronged us?
Their reply was as follows:
It’s not easy to approach such people as they think such people may reject them. Is there any debt that cannot be forgiven?
This question was debatable from every group.
Towards the end of our program the boys were encouraged to pray and ask God to help them to continue to forgive. As said, the boys need to know that sometimes forgiving others often takes time and is a process. We also read Ephesians 4:32 ” Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” The boys were encouraged to memorise this Bible verse. We also read Matthew 18:15-35 for the boys to realize the steps to take while we need to forgive and to answer some questions they might have asked.