GIVE Love
WELCOME TO WEEK 2
Do you have a friend that looks just like you? Does your friend like all the same things you like? Do you only have friends who are exactly like you? Sometimes we are drawn to people who are similar to us in how they look, act or think. God showed Peter that He loves everyone, not just people that looked like Peter. This week we will see that God loves everyone with the same type of love. God does not show favoritism.
BIBLE STORY
Listen to the following descriptions and find someone in the room, or name someone you know, who has the same answer as you. Then complete the same phrases but this time find or say someone who has a different answer than yours.
Name or find someone who has the same/different…
Eye color
Hair color
Color shirt
Plays the same instrument
Favorite song
Favorite book
Best subject in school
Wants to be when they grow up
Talent
Teacher
Shoe color
Age
We can find people that are similar to us in some things but different from us in other ways. God did not make anyone exactly like you, but God does not prefer one person or group of people over another. God loves us exactly the same. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand t2he same thing. He did not come to save only one group of people but He came to save everyone. If Jesus loved everyone, we are also called to love those who may be different from us.
Read or listen to the Bible reading Acts 34-48 (read full chapter for full context)
What lesson did God have to Peter in his dream? (That God does not show favoritism between different people)
The good news of Jesus Christ is meant to be shared with who? (Everyone no matter where they are from)
Who was Peter speaking to in these verses? (Cornelius the Centurion)
What message did Peter share with Cornelius and all those gathered at his home? (That he was a witness to all Jesus did and he saw Jesus raised from the dead)
What happened as Cornelius and his household heard the message from Peter? (The Holy Spirit came upon them, even on the Gentiles)
Why was it surprising to them that the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit as well? (The Jews saw that salvation was not just meant for them but for the Gentiles as well.)
What did Peter say should be done since they received the Holy Spirit? (They should be baptized with water in the name of Jesus Christ)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
It can be difficult to love everyone, especially when we don’t understand the other person. When we get to know someone else, even though we may seem to be different, we can often find something that is similar between us. There are many different cultures around our world that may be different from your culture. Find someone at church, school, or a friend who has a different cultural background than you. Interview them and find out more about where they are from or some of the traditions their family or culture celebrates. Use the following activity sheet to record answers or draw pictures in each category. You can print and interview as many different people as you would like.
Materials: Cultural interview printed, pen/pencil, person to interview
Alternate
Love is more than just saying that you love someone. When we love someone we show them with our actions, our words, and our through self sacrifice. Listen to these scenarios and tell if the person is showing love to someone else.
Materials: Scenarios printed or viewed on a device
Independent activity:
Complete the following activity sheet.
Materials: printed activity sheet, pencil, crayons
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Color the picture of the world and the children from all over the world. Cut and glue the picture of the globe on a large sheet of construction paper then paste the pictures of the children on the construction paper around the globe.
Materials: Colored construction paper, glue, scissors, crayons
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
1 John 5:1 says “everyone who believes that Jesus Christ is born of God and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.” When we believe in Jesus and follow his ways, we also love what he loves. Jesus says he loves each one of use. Jesus is not concerned with how we look, talk, or where we live, His love is for each one of us. We may see the differences between us and someone we do not know, but the more we get to know them the more we see that we are not that different. Peter saw that God loved everyone and he didn’t think one group of people were better than another, we are loved equally.
How does knowing Jesus loves everyone make us look at the people around us differently?
How can we show love to the people around us at home, school and play?
What does it mean when people say “Actions speak louder than words”?
How does that saying apply to loving others?
What can you do today to show love to those around you?
Practical Application at Home
It is difficult to love everyone but we do not have to do it alone. The Holy Spirit helps us love everyone. When we listen to the Holy Spirit, we can hear the things we can do to show love to others. When we hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, we can obey it and help others. Love is more than just saying you love someone, we can show others love and therefore show them Jesus.
This week look for ways you can show love to the following people. Think of some examples now and then choose a few to do each day.
-your parents
-your siblings
-your teachers
-a classmate
-a friend
-a newcomer
-someone who’s being picked on
Someone who has been mean to you
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.