Activity Bible Time Influence Others Drawing/Dramatization Experience

Part 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!

Listen to a story about a boy named Tommy and his Grandfather's love...

Tommy and his Grandfather's Love!


Tommy was mad - red hot mad! Maybe he deserved a little punishment for taking the old battle sword from its case and playing with it, but having to miss the biggest baseball game of the year was cruel and unusual punishment. "You make my life miserable. I wish I had a different grandfather!" Tommy yelled over his shoulder as he ran to the bus stop. He didn't care if his words hurt: he hoped they did.

He was still mad after school while they did chores in the barn. Tommy wouldn't even look at his grandfather. As they worked in 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 a nasty gash."

As Tommy raced to get a cloth he nearly tripped over the old battle sword he had left in the hayloft the night before. Sick understanding dawned on him. He'd blown it big time. Instead of putting the sword back in the display case as his grandfather had commanded, Tommy hid it in the hayloft. The sword fell from the loft and 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."

The Bible says:

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.
~John 15:13, Discover God Bible (NLT)

How did Tommy's Grandfather show real love?

What do you think real love is? Do you think it's...

  1. A warm feeling inside
  2. Caring about those who love you back
  3. Being nice to your brother or sister
  4. Putting someone else before yourself
  5. ______________________ (your own idea)
  6. All of the above

What do you think of the way Tommy treated his grandfather at the beginning of the story?

Do you think Tommy deserved real love after the way he acted? Why/why not?

Real love means putting others first. This is so 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, but it doesn't take away His love. His love is the only love you can count on all the time.

For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation. ~Psalm 100:5, Discover God Bible (NLT)

According to the verse above, how long will God love you?

The Bible tells us tells us more 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.~Romans 8:38-39, Discover God Bible (NLT)

After reading the verse above, what can separate us from God's love?

Remember, our sin may keep us from experiencing His love, but it doesn't stop God from loving us.


Why does it matter?

God's unfailing, unchanging, all-powerful, and everlasting love is the only love we can absolutely count on! You can know for sure that you are loved no matter what.

Knowing we are loved so completely helps us to love others.


Talk with God!

Thank Him for His great love for you. Thank Him specifically for one thing you see in your life that shows you how much He loves you.

"ABIDE" for God is Love
Memory Verse Table Talk
AActivity … Family Fun Activities!
BBible Times … Exploring God's Word together
IInfluencing Others … how can you make a difference?
DDrawing/Drama … exploring your creative side!
EExperience … finding the teachable moments
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