Jesus Taught How to Love

Matthew 5:43-48

Our story comes from the Bible. It is found in the book, or part, of the Bible called Matthew. Matthew was a special helper of Jesus.

The Bible tells us that Jesus and His helpers were walking. Maybe they had to climb over rocks, jump across little streams of water, and walk on curvy roads.


Wherever Jesus went, crowds followed Him.


One day, when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the side of a mountain and sat down with His helpers. As they were sitting on the mountain, Jesus taught His helpers and the people gathered around them. He told them about God.


Jesus taught His helpers many things about how people who loved God should act. One of the things Jesus said was that, as children of God, people should love others. The people wondered what all that meant. Jesus talked about treating others as they would want to be treated. His helpers and the people understood that part. They knew how to help someone who was hurt, or to do things with someone who was lonely. The people knew that if they wanted others to be nice to them, they would need to be nice.


Then Jesus said, "Love your enemies." Those are people who don't like you and may want to hurt you. That sounded hard. It's hard to love someone who doesn't like you.


But Jesus told His helpers and the people, "One way to love your enemies, the people who don't like you, is to pray for them." Jesus didn't want them to fight with each other, but instead to be kind.


The people who heard Jesus were amazed at what He taught. Jesus showed them how God wanted them to act.


Jesus taught how to love others because He wants us to love our parents, friends, and our enemies just like God, His Father in heaven, does. Do you know why? Because God is our Father in heaven too! Jesus teaches us to love others.


Bible Paraphrase: [Jesus] went around doing good. (...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38 NIV)

Text Truth: Jesus teaches us to love others.


Family Devotional

You have received a huge inheritance far greater than anything a family member can share with you. Through your faith in Christ, you became an heir to an unexpected wealth God's love.

(I pray that you) may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:18-19

God's love is so great that it cannot be completely measured or understood. God wants you to share this love with others. There are many people He places in your path. Ask God to help you know how to show His love to them.


Activities You Can Do at Home


Jesus Told His Friends to Pray

Teach your child these words to the tune "Mary Had a Little Lamb."

Jesus told His friends to pray,
To be kind and help each day.
I can learn from Jesus, too,
I can find good things to do.


Bible Rhyme

Teach your child this Bible rhyme and motions to help them remember the Bible phrase.

Jesus went around doing good.
(March in place.)
He taught His friends how to pray.
(Fold hands.)
Jesus made people feel well again.
(Reach overhead and stretch.)
He forgave them and helped them obey.
(Hold hands out in front of you, palms up.)


Play Sunday School 

Use a Bible storybook or Bible story pictures to play Sunday school. Siblings or dolls can be classmates. Teach about ways Jesus showed kindness to others and helped people when they were sad. Your child can show kindness and get along well with classmates. Remind your child Jesus taught Bible-time people how to love others, and we can read the Bible to learn how to love others today.


Jesus Taught the People

Sing this song to the tune of "Did You Ever See a Lassie?" At the end of the song, talk about how your family can show love to others.

Jesus taught the people,
People, people.
Jesus taught the people
How to love.
I can love others,
Others, others.
I can love others.
What can I do?


Lace Hearts

Cut out large hearts. Punch holes around the edge. Using yarn or a shoelace, let your child lace the heart as you spend time in the car this week. For extra durability, laminate the hearts.


Stories About Loving Others 

Read other Bible stories this week about Jesus teaching how to show love to others. Luke 10:25-37 is a good story to read. Praise God for His love for each one in your family while having a great big family hug.

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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.

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