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
Find and gather a basket of objects in your house that you can find more than one of. Place one those items in the bucket to pull out one at a time and your child will find the similar object. I have a lots of things in my basket that I want to show you. As I show you these items, I want you to listen to the directions I give you to complete. I want you to either find something that is the same as the item I will show you, or find something that is the opposite, or different. Hold up one item at a time, then give the instruction to either find something that is the same or different from what you have shown them. When they return, briefly describe how their object is either the same or different from yours. Allow them to return the item, and then show the next item in your basket with the instructions of what they are to find and return.
It was easy to see how some of your items were the same as mine and how some of them were different. God made people different as well. We may not all look the same, talk the same or dress the same, but God loves us all the same. God does not love us based on how we look or talk but He loves all of us because we are His. Jesus wanted his disciples to understand this as well, that we should love everyone just as Jesus does.
Materials: objects found around the house
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
Sort and classify a large amount of stuffed animals. Work with your child to find ways the stuffed animals are the same and then sort them into groups. Once the groups are sorted, classify each group with a title. Then mix them all together again and sort them in a different way. (Examples of ways to sort: by color, shape, height, width, animals/people, hair/fur) Just as all of these stuffed animals are different, God has made each one of us different and unique. You love all of your stuffed animals, but imagine how much more God loves each one of us, that He sent Jesus to save us from our sins. The Holy Spirit helps us love everyone too, just like Jesus does.
Materials: stuffed animals (or other toys that are numerous and come in a variety)
Alternate
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
Independent activity:
Complete the following activity sheet
Materials: printed activity sheet
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 (including black and white), glue, scissors, crayons
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
How can you show love to the people in your family?
How can you show love to others at school?
When do you feel most loved?
Does everyone feel loved in the same way?
How is it easier to show love to someone you know well?
How can you get to know someone who might be different from 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.