Show Your Love Day

One way to show love to God is to do kind things for others. (Read Matthew 25:35-46.) In fact, Jesus said the way to know if people are His disciples is if they have love for each other (John 13:35).

Ask:
What are some ways you can show love to others? (do a chore for them, play a game with them, set the table, read a book with them, give them a small gift, give them a hug or kiss, etc.)

Declare one day of the week as “Show Your Love Day.” Cut out a bunch of red hearts or buy some heart stickers or cut out small squares of paper and write “love” on them. Put these in a basket on the table and tell the kids to look for ways to show love to others. When anyone sees this happening, they are to run to the basket and give a heart to that person.

Celebrate the many ways they showed love together that evening by making heart shaped cookies (of course, the cut and slice kind from Pillsbury).

Real Love?

Since this week is April Fool’s Day, add some fake food to your meal. Cut and shape green and orange Starbursts or taffy into peas and carrots. Make mashed potatoes from vanilla pudding and add a yellow Starburst for the butter on top. Or just use some fake food from your kids’ kitchen sets.

Ask:

• How would feel if someone pretended to like you, but talked about you behind your back or acted mean toward you? (mad, disappointed, hurt, etc.)
• What are some characteristics of real love? (Look in 1 Corinthians 13. Read it [or ask an older child to read] and have them listen to what real love is like.)

Creative Review

Memorize Psalm 100:5

"For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations."

Write each of the three phrases of this verse on a piece of paper (8 ½ X 11 are fine). If your kids know how to write, let THEM write the phrases on pieces of paper. Give one to each person and let that person say that phrase to recite and review the verse. Switch pieces of paper and people so others can learn the different phrases. Then say the verse in different ways: cowboy voice, cheerleader style, opera style, referee style, baby style, etc.

Every thing you teach your kids about God (He is loving, holy, good, merciful, etc.) should make it easier for them to trust Him. As they get to know Him, hopefully they will want to love and serve Him.