God Chose Us and Appointed Us and to Love One Another
To express love and appreciation for friends, family, and even pets. Kids learn to show kindness through acts like sharing, helping others, and saying “thank you.
Kids often exchange cards with classmates, friends, and family members. These cards usually feature hearts, flowers, and messages of love and affection, like “I Love God” or “Love your Friends! ” or “You’re my best friend! Teachers might incorporate lessons about kindness, friendship, and showing love to others. It teaches them about the importance of friendship and how to build strong relationships with God.
Children’s Sermon Lesson: Love in Action (1 John 3:16-24)
Bible Verse: 1 John 4:8 (“God is Love.”)
- Activity:
- Heart-shaped cards: Have kids make heart-shaped cards for each other and write a simple message of love.
- “Love Grams” to family members: Encourage them to write short notes expressing love and appreciation to their parents, siblings, or grandparents.
- Discuss how God loves us unconditionally: Explain that God loves us no matter what – our mistakes, our strengths, or our weaknesses.
Bible Verse: Jesus’ Love for Us (John 3:16)
- Focus: John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”)
- Activity:
- “Jesus Loves Me” craft: Have kids decorate paper hearts with things they love about Jesus (e.g., he loves to play with me, he forgives me).
- Tell the story of Jesus’ love: Use simple language to explain how Jesus showed his love for us by sacrificing himself on the cross.
- Sing songs about Jesus’ love: “Jesus Loves Me,” “He Touched Me,” etc.
Bible Verse: Love Your Neighbor (Matthew 22:39)
- Focus: Matthew 22:39 (“Love your neighbor as yourself.”)
- Activity:
- Acts of kindness: Discuss ways to show love to others (helping a friend, sharing toys, being kind to others).
- “Kindness Cards”: Have kids write or draw kind messages for classmates or family members.
- Volunteer activity: If possible, organize a small act of service for someone in need (e.g., making cards for a local nursing home).
Bible Verse: Forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15)
- Focus: Matthew 6:14-15 (“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”)
- Activity:
- “Forgiveness Rocks”: Decorate rocks with kind messages and encouraging words.
- Discuss the importance of forgiveness: Explain that everyone makes mistakes and that it’s important to forgive others.
- Role-playing: Act out scenarios where forgiveness is needed and how it can make a difference.
General Tips:
- Keep it age-appropriate: Adjust the activities and explanations to the age and developmental level of the children.
- Make it fun and interactive: Use games, crafts, and stories to keep the children engaged.
- Focus on the message of love: The main goal is to help children understand the importance of love, kindness, and forgiveness.
Remember to keep the lessons simple and age-appropriate. Most importantly, make it a fun and enjoyable experience for the children.
Coloring Page of God’s Unconditional Love Day
