Filled With Love
Items Needed: Object of your choice (one per person)
Share a simple object lesson about being connected to Jesus, the One who can give us what we need to love others.
Ask one of your children to give an item (something he or she doesn’t have—a candy bar, an apple, some stickers, etc.) to a sibling. If he says he can’t, ask, “Why?” Then ask, “Would you be willing to give __ (the item) to your sibling if I gave you one to give?” Hand him the item to share with his sibling. (Bring out more for everyone to enjoy.)
You were able to give _ because I gave it to you.
Have you ever felt like you didn’t have any love to give someone?
There are times when it is hard to love others, and we feel like we can’t do it. But if we are living close to Jesus, He can give us His love for them. As we think about and are filled with His great love, we can share that love with others.
Actions Show Who You Are
Items Needed: Writing utensil, slips of paper, Bible
Write some actions on slips of paper and act them out (without talking).
Here are some ideas to get you started. Pretend you are:
Walking through a giant tub of ice cream
Riding a roller coaster
Giving a dog a bath
Eating a popsicle
Laughing at a movie
Sliding on a Slip-and-Slide
Playing basketball
Catching a snake
These actions helped us guess what you were doing.
What do our actions tell others about us? (What kind of person we are; what we are really like; etc.)
What can we tell about God from His actions in sending Jesus to die on the cross? (He is loving, merciful, kind, good, sacrificial, holy, etc.)
Read 1 John 4:16. What does this verse tell us about God? God not only loves us, but He is love! He proved His love for us when He sent His Son to die on the cross and showed us mercy too. His love in us can help us love others.
How Big Is God’s Love?
Items Needed: Ruler, yardstick, or tape measure, variety of objects, Bible
Take turns measuring items using a ruler, yardstick, or tape measure. Pick a volunteer and announce the item to be measured. Continue until everyone has had a turn.
Then ask:
How big is God’s love?
Can God’s love be measured?
Read John 3:16 and Romans 5:8 to find out more about God’s love.
God’s love is bigger than we can imagine!