Turn the Other Cheek
One-Cut Cross Activity
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This hands-on Bible lesson for kids helps children understand what Jesus meant when He taught us to
turn the other cheek. Use this as a stand-alone lesson or to introduce the One-Cut Cross activity in Lesson 4: “Confession & Forgiveness” from the Prayer of Jesus Bible
lessons.
Preparation
(Begin with an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper held vertically (portrait). Follow the steps below as you teach.)
“In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He said that we should turn the other cheek when someone is mean to us or treats us wrongly.”
#1 – Action
(As you say “turn the other cheek,” fold the top left corner over to the right side so it lines up evenly.
Use big, clear motions so children connect the action with the idea of turning.)
“What do you think Jesus meant when He said, ‘turn the other cheek’?”
#2 – Action
(As you repeat “turn the other cheek,” fold the top right corner over to the left side so it lines up evenly.)
--Pause and receive answers--
“Let’s listen to what Jesus said.”
(Read Matthew 5:38–45 from a child-friendly Bible.)
“To turn the other cheek means you don’t try to get even. You don’t pay someone back when they hurt you.”
#3 – Action
As you say “turn your cheek,” fold the paper in half vertically from left to right.
“But let’s be honest—turning the other cheek when someone is mean or hurtful is really hard. In fact, it’s impossible without Jesus helping us forgive.”
#4 – Action
As you say “turn the other cheek,” fold the paper again from right to left.
“And sometimes, we might feel like we just want to cut that person out of our
lives!”
#5 – Action
Cut the folded paper in half vertically from top to bottom.
“But Jesus teaches us something different. He calls us to show love and kindness—even to those who hurt us—because He forgave us first.”
“When we pray, ‘Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,’ we are asking God to help us forgive others the same way He forgives us.”
“So how can we forgive like that? What did Jesus do for us?”
(Unfold the tall side of the paper to reveal the cross.)
“Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins and He rose again so we can have eternal life.”
“Because of what Jesus has done for us, we can forgive others—even when it’s hard.”
Craft Activity: One-Cut Crosses
What You Need
8.5" x 11" paper (one per child),
Markers,
Scissors,
Christian-themed stickers
Using markers, have children write:
“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”
Encourage them to write the phrase several times in large letters across the paper.
Fold the Paper (Turning the Cheek)
Guide the children through the folds, reminding them of Jesus’ teaching to “turn the other cheek”:
Fold left to right
Fold right to left
Fold left to right
Fold right to left
Cut folded paper in half from top to bottom.
Unfold the paper to reveal a cross shape.
Children decorate their cross using markers and Christian-themed stickers.
As children work, remind them that because Jesus forgave us, we can forgive others—even when it’s hard.
Prayer: "Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross to take the punishment for my sins.
Please help me to turn the other cheek and not try to get even when others are mean to me.
Help me to forgive them just like You forgave me. In Jesus' name I pray,
amen."
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