Jesus Takes Away Our Sins

This short lesson works well with the Lamb of God activity. It is best for children in kindergarten through third grade. You can use it in religious education, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Vacation Bible School, or youth ministry. It can also be used at home. It is simple, hands-on, and helps children reflect on God’s love and mercy.

Materials and Instructions

You will need:

• One printed Lamb of God activity sheet per child
• Cotton balls (about 10–15 per child)
• Glue sticks or white glue
• Crayons or markers
• Paper towels or wipes for cleanup

1. Begin with a short prayer:
“Jesus, thank you for loving us. Thank you for taking away our sins. Help us to follow you. Amen.”

2. Read John 1:29 aloud:
Say, “This is what John the Baptist said when he saw Jesus: ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.’” Ask, “What do you think that means?”

3. Simple explanation:
Say, “A lamb is gentle and kind. In the Bible, people gave lambs as gifts to God. Jesus gave Himself for us. He is the Lamb of God. He takes away our sins because He loves us.”

4. Connect to Mass:
Say, “At Mass, we sing or say, ‘Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.’ This reminds us that Jesus loves us and forgives us.”

5. Start the activity:
Say, “Now we will make a lamb. You will see the words ‘My Sins’ on the lamb. As you glue the cotton balls on, you will cover those words. This helps us remember that Jesus takes our sins away.”

Steps:

1. Give each child a Lamb of God sheet.
2. Talk briefly about how Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away our sins.
3. Show the children the words “My Sins” in the center of the lamb.
4. Let them color the lamb’s face, ears, legs, and background.
5. Have them glue cotton balls on the wooly parts of the lamb, covering the words “My Sins.”
6. Allow time for the glue to dry.
7. Display the finished lambs or send them home with a note explaining the meaning.

6. Close with a question or prayer:
Ask, “How do you feel knowing Jesus takes away your sins?”
Then pray: “Jesus, thank you for being the Lamb of God. Help us to stay close to you. Amen.”

Notes and Variations:

• For younger children, pre-tear cotton balls to make gluing easier.
• If time allows, sing or play “Lamb of God” from Mass before or after the craft.
• You may let older children write a small prayer on the back.
• Make sure glue stays on the paper and not on clothing or desks.

See https://young-catholics.com/83260/lamb-of-god-activity/ for more information.