Early Church

Acts 2:42-47; John 15:12; Hebrews 10:24

Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called Acts, which is short for “the Acts of the Apostles.” An apostle is someone who is sent to teach others about Jesus. Our true story also comes from a part of the Bible called the Gospel of John. John was one of the friends and helpers of Jesus. And the word “Gospel” means “good news!” And our true story also comes from a part of the Bible called the Letter to the Hebrews. A letter is one of the ways people use to share important news.

We begin with Jesus and some of the people who followed Him. One day, Jesus told the people to love others the way He loves them. So, do you know what they did? They loved like Jesus!


When we think of love, we sometimes think of a heart. Can you make a heart with your hands like this?


Do you know how the people loved like Jesus? Well, if someone needed a coat . . . someone gave them a coat! The people who shared the coat did what Jesus said and loved like Jesus. And when we do what Jesus says, we shine our light!


If someone needed a place to sleep . . . someone shared their home! The people who shared their homes did what Jesus said and loved like Jesus. And when we do what Jesus says, we shine our light!


If someone didn’t have any food to eat . . . someone gave them food to eat! The people who shared their food did what Jesus said and loved like Jesus. And when we do what Jesus says, we shine our light!


And do you know what else Jesus’ friends did? Jesus’ friends also ate and talked and prayed together.


They sang and praised God. They loved each other because Jesus loved them. This showed everyone that they were friends with Jesus. They were loving like Jesus and shining their light!


Do you know what that means!?!? When we do what Jesus says, and love like Jesus, we shine our light for everyone to see that Jesus loves them too! Wow! That’s amazing! We can do what Jesus says, right? So, when someone asks you, “Who can do what Jesus says?”, you can say, “I can do what Jesus says!”






Bible Paraphrase: “Let your light shine.” —Matthew 5:16, NIV

Text Truth: Jesus says to love like Him.



Family Devotional

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
—Acts 2:42-47

In our Bible Story, people did what Jesus said and loved like Jesus by eating together, helping each other, sharing with each other, and praying together, because they wanted to do what Jesus says and love like Jesus. We can do what Jesus says and love like Jesus too!

“Let your light shine.” —Matthew 5:16, NIV

With your family, take a piece of paper and make a list of ways you can love like Jesus. Have each member of your family write down a way they can love like Jesus. And make sure to write their name next to the way they write down. Remember that when we love like Jesus, we SHINE!

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, say, “Dear God, thank You for loving us so much You gave us Your Son, Jesus, to show us how to love and to be our friend forever. Please help us to do what Jesus says and love others the way Jesus loves us. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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