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 Day 1: God Is Love!Because GOD IS LOVE, I know He loves me no matter what, and He helps me to love others as I love myself.
People often like to talk about God's love. It's probably one of His most "loved" attributes! But God's love is also one of the most misunderstood of God's attributes, so we're going to go on an adventure to discover what God's love really is! Read or quote the memory verse. Listen to a story about a boy named Tommy and His Grandfather's love... Tommy and His Grandfather's Love!
Tommy was still mad after school when he and his grandfather were working in the barn. Grandfather had tried to talk to him about it, but Tommy wanted nothing to do with him. As they worked in cold silence, Tommy was thinking to himself, "I hope he feels bad. I'll never be nice to him again. That'll show him!" Suddenly his grandfather's voice ripped through his thoughts, "Tommy!! Watch out!" Grandfather's body slammed against his so hard that it knocked him to the ground five feet away. As he hit the ground, Tommy heard a crash and his grandfather moan in pain. He turned to see grandfather half buried in several bails of hay and blood beginning to stain the ground around his left arm. "Are you all right?" Tommy yelled as he ran to his side. "Yes, son. I don't think anything is broken, but I need something to wrap my arm. I've got quite a nasty gash." As Tommy raced to get a cloth, he kicked the sword he had left in the hay loft the night before. Sick understanding dawned on him. Grandfather had told him the sword was to stay in its display case. It was old but still very sharp and not a toy. Tommy had taken the sword out anyway and played with it in the barn. When Grandfather found out, he demanded his grandson return it to its case. He said that Tommy would be required to work in the barn everyday after school for a month, and that meant missing the big fishing tournament. Tommy hadn't returned the sword. He hid it on top of the hay bails. Now that same sword sliced his Grandfather's arm! "I'm so sorry, Grandpa. It's all my fault." Tommy said as he wrapped the cloth around the arm. "I didn't put the sword away. I was so mad at you that I left it on top of the hay. Then, I treated you like I hated you. You should have let the hay fall on me." Holding his throbbing arm, Grandpa fought back the pain and smiled. "Tommy, I love you. I saw the sword falling, and I couldn't stand there and let it fall on you. No matter how you treat me and no matter what you do, I love you." Every day after that, Tommy would see his grandfather's scarred arm and remember how much he is loved. John 15:13 says: How did Tommy's Grandfather show real love? (He sacrificed his own safety in order to keep Tommy safe.) What do you think real love is? What do you think of the way Tommy treated his Grandfather at the beginning of the story? Do you think he deserved real love after the way he acted? Why/why not? Real love means putting others first. This is sooooo hard to do! We all have moments when we do it well, but there are many times we don't! God's love is always real, and it's always perfect. However, God's love does not mean we can do whatever we want. Our sin still has consequences. He loves us too much to let us hurt ourselves by disobeying what He knows is best. His love is the only love you can count on all the time. Let's look at what the Bible says about God's love. Read Psalm 100:5. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. Discover God Bible, (NLT).
What have you learned about God's love from this verse? God's love will never fail us. We can count on it. His love is forever. He loved the people who lived in Bible times. He loves us and He loves all who will come after us. How long will He love you? (His love for you will never fail. It lasts forever! You can count on it!) Romans 8:38, 39 tells us something else about God's love. I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below -- indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.Discover God Bible, (NLT).
According to this verse, what can separate us or stop God from loving us? (Nothing! God's love never changes and there is nothing that can stop it!) Remember, our sin may keep us from experiencing His love, but it doesn't stop God from loving us. God Loves Everyone!John 3:16 tells us who God loves. God loved the world so much that He gave His one
and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. Discover God Bible, (NLT).
Who does God love? (The world.) His love isn't limited like ours. He loves everyone and wants a relationship with everyone. His love doesn't look at a person's color of skin, where they live, how popular they are, or how rich they are. He loves everyone, whether they love Him or not. God's love is huge! NOTE: The following is optional, but if you have time, it is a great way to put this attribute into context with the others. Connecting the Dots . . .
Think about the other attributes we have looked at so far: God is Personal, God is All-Powerful (the Biggest and Strongest), and God is Holy (Clean and Pure). How do these attributes give you confidence in God's love for you? God's Love Is Personal Because God knows you personally, He knows everything about you and He still loves you deeply. You can't do anything that will stop Him from loving you. God's Love Is Powerful Because of His unending power, He made a way for you to receive His love. He raised Jesus from the dead! God's Love Is Holy (Perfect and Clean). Because God is holy (perfect and clean), we can be certain His love is also perfect and clean. You never have to worry about God's love being ruined with selfishness, anger, or any other sin.
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| A | Activity … Family Fun Activities! |
| B | Bible Times … Exploring God's Word together |
| I | Influencing Others … how can you make a difference? |
| D | Drawing/Drama … exploring your creative side! |
| E | Experience … finding the teachable moments |
Why does it matter?
Talk with God and Stay Connected