This week’s lesson continues the events in John 15. Jesus is explaining to his disciples how they are to carry his love and bear fruit through their ministry. In this passage, children will learn that Jesus commands love in action, which is what he demonstrated for us.
In this message, children will learn the comforting truth that Jesus calls them His friends! While earthly relationships can sometimes disappoint us, Jesus is a true friend that promises to always love and comfort us. We recognize that His love is real and satisfying, and we encourage kids to pass that love on to others!
For more teaching on God’s Love, we recommend the Love of God series from the Sunday School Store.
Children’s Sermon Lesson
This children’s message imparts the hope of our relationship with Jesus. Earthly friendships may fail and disappoint us, but the love of Christ will always be there. It might be hard to grasp since we do not see the Lord physically, but His presence guards and guides us. Jesus calls us friends and laid down His life for us. The message uses a “disappointing” object to remind children that God does not disappoint.
Craft Ideas & Demonstration
How do we show love? In what ways can we demonstrate and share the love of Jesus with those around us? It’s part of the Great Commandment, and yet sometimes we forget it quickly. These crafts offer simple ways to remember and consider that God loves us, and He wants us to love others. A “friendship bouquet” uses paper elements to craft flowers to give as a caring display. A “helping heart wreath” allows kids to brainstorm practical methods for showing love to others. Either of these crafts can also be adapted and used as gifts for friends or for Mother’s Day.
John 15:9-17 NIV
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
I have checked some of lessons you planned. They are very helpful, and useful.
Thank God and thank you for all your efforts.