Out of Darkness, Light
GOD is Love
Bible Times: Day 2 & 3
(scroll down for Day 3)
DAY 2: GOD'S GIFT OF LOVE -- JESUS!
Because GOD IS LOVE, I know He loves me no matter what, and He helps me to love others as I love myself.
Memory Verse:
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. - I John 4:16
Key Verse:
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. - John 3:16
NOTE: This takes a little preparation but the results are worth the effort! Choose a treat you think your kids will enjoy. It doesn't have to be expensive. The point is for your kids to receive something you know they like because you love them. Wrap the treat in a box with gift wrap and a bow. You can wrap a small gift for each child or one gift for all to open. Set the gift so all can see it before asking the first question.
What is the best gift you've ever received? What made it so great? What is the best gift you've ever given someone? Why was it such a great gift?
​Referring to the gift-wrapped box, say, "I have a gift for you. It's just a small expression of my love for you, but I tried to think of something I thought you would really enjoy."
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Do you have any idea what's inside the box I'm giving you? Do you think it's something you should be afraid of? Why or why not?
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What is the job of the gift giver?
(Find something you will like or need. Purchase or make the gift - select something that requires my time, my money, my effort and/or usually some kind of sacrifice.)
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What is your job as the gift receiver? (Take the gift - If you don't take it, it never really becomes yours. Open the gift so that you can enjoy what's inside.)
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Tell your kids: "I can hold this gift out forever, but until you take it and open it, it does you no good and it's not really yours. SOOO, are you going to receive the gift?"
(Let your kids take it and open it. If there are treats to eat inside, let them munch while you continue the discussion.)
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What is God's greatest gift of love?
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The Bible tells us about God's greatest gift of love:
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. ~ John 3:16
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In this verse, who is the Gift Giver?
Who is the Gift Receiver?
What is God's Gift?
Why did God give the gift of His one and only Son? (Because He loves us and wants us to be with Him forever.)
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Listen to what the Bible says about receiving God's gift:
I am the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. - John 14:6
Jesus' payment on the cross is the gift.
In the verse above, what does Jesus say happens to those who do not accept the gift? (They can't have a relationship with God.)
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Have you accepted Jesus' gift? Do you want to?
NOTE: The 4Keys 4Kids booklet is a simple resource to help kids understand how to accept God's Gift of Love -- Jesus! You can view the 4Keys 4Kids here.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
God has always loved us, but our sin stands in the way of our relationship with Him. Christ's gift of love was paying for our sin so that we can experience God's love, but He won't force the gift on us. Some people accept it, some don't. God's gift of love is offered to everyone. The only question is: Will he or she accept it or not?
TALK WITH GOD AND STAY CONNECTED TO THE VINE!
Thank Him again for His great love for you and the gift He gave you in Jesus. If you haven't received Jesus' gift, you can do it right now! Thank God that nothing can take away His gift.
Day 3: YOU CAN'T EARN GOD'S LOVE!
Because GOD IS LOVE, I know He loves me no matter what, and He helps me to love others as I love myself.
Read or Quote Memory Verse:
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. - I John 4:16
Key Verse:
God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. - Romans 5:8
(NOTE: Before you gather the kids, prepare a yummy snack and wrap it in a gift box with a bow. This sounds similar to Day 2: God's Gift of Love -- Jesus, but the gift in this Family Adventure is used to illustrate a different aspect of God's Love.)
Set the gift for today's lesson out for everyone to see.
(NOTE: The quotes below are suggestions for how to present the gift box. Feel free to use your own words!!!)
"We have another gift box today, but this time in order to open it, you must earn it. If you do everything I say immediately and without complaining, you may have the present at the end of our time."
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"The first thing you must do to earn the present is to make sure all the lights are turned off in the house, and then come back and sit down quickly and quietly."
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(NOTE: If you are not in a house, then choose some other quick task that the kids can do.)
When everyone is seated again: "You did a good job of turning out the lights. Now I want you to give me all your money in the house (or wherever you are,) and I want you to pay the electric bill for me."
(NOTE: Obviously, they won't be able to pay the entire electric bill. Let them express their frustration with the requirement and then continue.)
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"The first thing you were asked to do you might be able to do, but the second you cannot do. There's no way you could earn this gift if you had to pay the electric bill because you don't make that much money... even with an allowance!"
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"This box is wrapped like a gift but if I make you do things to earn it, is it really a gift? Why or why not?"
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"This is a real gift. You don't have to do anything to earn it. After we're done you can open it and see what's inside!"
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The Bible says:
God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. - Romans 5:8
Do we have to be perfect before God loves us? How do you know?
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Does He love you even when you sin?
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God doesn't love the sin, but He loves you no matter what. You don't have to earn His love, but there is something you have to do if you want to have a relationship with Him and feel His love. What is it?
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The Bible says:
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. ~John 3:16
Who does God love?
His love isn't limited like ours. He loves everyone and wants a relationship with everyone. His love doesn't look at the color of a person's skin, where they live, how popular they are, or how rich they are.
God loves everyone, whether they love Him or not. God's love is huge!
GOD LOVES YOU SO MUCH!
God loves you SO much,
That He sent His Son to save your soul.
Because He wanted SO much,
For you to be with Him,
Now and forever!!!
God loves you, He loves you!
He's crazy about you!
He loves you, He loves you.
He knows all about you.
And He loves you
SOOO much!!!
God loves you SO much,
That he hugs you with His sunlight.
Yes, He loves you SO much.
Can you feel His kisses in the rain?
He watches over you at night when you sleep,
And He can't wait until morning when you wake.
Because He loves to see your smile!
God loves you, He loves you.
He's crazy about you!
He loves you, He loves you.
He knows all about you,
And He loves you!
God loves you, He loves you.
There's nothing you can do to
Make Him STOP -
Loving you.
Yes, God loves you
That much!
God loves you, He loves you!
He's crazy about you!
He loves you, He loves you.
He knows all about you,
And He loves you.
SOOO much!!!
Lyrics By: Katherine Bright
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Trying to earn God's love cheats you out of the incredible relationship He wants with you.
You don't have to worry about losing God's love. What a great relief!!!
TALK WITH GOD AND STAY CONNECTED TO THE VINE!
Thank God that you don't have to earn His love. Admit that you blow it all the time and that you sin, even if it's just in your thoughts. Thank Him for sending Jesus to pay for your sins so that you can experience His love relationship with Him now and forever.
"Now open the gift and enjoy!!!"