Feb 7/8- Older
To Know Him… Love
Bible Passages: Matthew 22:36-40, I John 4:7-12
Key Bible Verse: And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3 ESV)
Older Small Group (2nd-5th)
Welcome//15 min
1. Welcome
●Visitors & Birthdays- As kids join your group today, make special note of any visitors and any kids who have a birthday this week. If you have any then let them pick a toy out of the prize bucket! And sing happy birthday as a small group!
2. Pre-Lesson Activity:
Use the opening worksheet and have kids draw an image for each of the words listed. They can be as creative, abstract or literal as they want. Kids can also do the word search on back if they would like.
3. Pre-Lesson Activity:
The kids will be learning a new memory verse today. Give them a heads start by having them play hangman to guess the verse. You could also do hangman at the end of the lesson if you need more activities to fill time. You could divide the verse into smaller phrases, or do the whole thing.
TRANSITION TO LARGE GROUP LESSON
Older Small Group Activities// 30 min.
1. Bible Story Review
Divide your small group into two teams. Each team nominates a captain to answer for the team. Whichever captain raises their hand first gets to answer. Correct answers earn team 10 points. Winning team gets candy.
Have kids find the following verses in their Bibles. Read out loud before asking the following questions. I John 4:7-10
●Where does love come from? (God- v.7)
●How has God shown us His love? (By sending His one and only Son- v.9)
●Does God love us because we love Him? (No, He has always loved us first- v.10)
●What does it mean if you do not love? (You do not know God- v.8)
Have kids find the following verses in their Bibles. Read out loud before asking the following questions. I John 4:19-21
●What does love drive out? (fear- v. 19)
●How is it that we’re able to love? (Because God loved us first- v. 19)
●What do these verses say a liar is? (say you love God and hate your brother- v. 20)
●If you truly love God you must also do what? (love others- v. 20)
Have kids find the following verses in their Bibles. Read out loud before asking the following questions. I Corinthians 13:4-7
●True or False- Love dishonors others. (False- does not dishonor others)
●True or False- Love rejoices in truth and rejoices in evil. (False, love does not delight in evil)
●True or False- Love hopes. (True)
●True or False- Love is striving to be kind. (True)
●True or False- Love is slow to patience. (Fals, slow to anger)
OPTIONAL Gospel Share
If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions. If a child in your group responds, make sure to pray with them and celebrate with them! Let them know that this is one BIG step in a lifelong journey of learning to follow Jesus. Let their parents and/or your campus coordinator know about this decision, and follow up with this child in weeks and months to come as they begin their journey as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16-17)
We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Rom. 3:23; 6:23)
God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve.
(John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9)
Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God’s family. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18)
We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Rom. 10:9-10,13)
3. Bible Story Activity
Give each child a blank Bingo sheet with the letters L-O-V-E at the top. Have them fill in the following verses randomly on their sheet: I John 4:16, Luke 6:27, Romans 12:9, I Cor 13:1, I Cor 13:13, I Peter 4:8, I John 4:7, John 15:12, Proverbs 10:12, I John 3:16, John 3:16, Psalm 18:1, Matthew 22:37, Romans 8:35, John 14:15, Proverbs 17:17
As the kids are filling in their bingo sheet, cut up the bingo verses into strips, fold them in half and place them in a basket or pile. As the group leader choose one of the letters at the top (L-O-V-E) and then have a child choose a verse and read it aloud. If a kid has that verse in the correct column, they can mark that square with a conversation heart. First child to get four-in-a-row wins.
●So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.- I John 4:16
●Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you- Luke 6:27
●Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. - Romans 12:9
●If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.- I Corinthians 13:1
●So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.- I Corinthians 13:13
●Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.- I Peter 4:8
●let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.- I John 4:7
●“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.- John 15:12
●Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.- Proverbs 10:12
●By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.- I 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.- John 3:16
●I love you, O Lord, my strength.- Psalm 18:1
●And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.- Matthew 22:37
●Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?- Romans 8:35
●“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.- John 14:15
●A friend loves at all times- Proverbs 17:17
4. Journal & Prayer Requests
Give each child a journal page. Have them write out a challenge for themselves of how they can show I Corinthians love in a situation they wouldn’t normally do so. Share prayer requests and break into partners to pray for one another.
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