Sunday Scripture Sharing - Family Devotional #3

To see Family Devotional #1 click here, or #2 click here, but this devotional stands alone, so feel free to jump in with your family any time.

Today's topic is:

God wants us to love one another

Introduction
What does it mean to love someone? (let kids answer) How could you show someone you love them? (let kids answer and guide with things like telling them you love them, doing something nice for them, sharing your toys, helping them, hugging them) Can you show love to someone you have never met? (listen to their answers but then tell them yes - we can send letters, treats, cards, money and we can pray for them) How do you think it makes someone feel when you show them love? (hopefully kids will answer something along the lines of "good")

Activity (you'll need basic craft supplies - construction paper, markers or crayons, stickers, maybe some doilies and glue)
Help kids make valentines to send to a child in need. They do not have to be fancy, let your kids create the art and then you can help with the writing of a simple note that you are praying for their future and wanted to send your love. We sponsor a child through Grace International Children's Foundation that founded and operates Lulwanda Children's Home for orphaned and abandoned children, in Uganda. I have also heard wonderful things about sponsoring a child through Compassion International. The awesome thing about both these organizations is that you can not only send money to support a child in need, but you can send letters with your love and support. I have been brought to tears reading bloggers like Big Mama talk about these kids saving letters for years that they got from their sponsors. It is so powerful in the life of a child just to know someone cares!

Scripture
Mark 12:30-31, ''Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

1Thess 5:11, ""Encourage one another and build up one another."

John 15:12, "This is My commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you."

Discussion
Did you guys have fun making these valentines? (hopefully answer will be yes) How do you think this little girl (if you have one, insert name of your sponsored child and show thier picture) will feel when she opens your valentines? ("happy", "good", "loved"). It can be fun to show love to others. Does God want us to love other people? ("yes") God wants us to love other people and make them feel good. John 3:16, tells us that, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son." This verse says, the world so remember God loves all people in the world, just like He loves us, and that is why he wants us to show love for others.

Prayer
Dear God, help us to love other people and to show them we love them. Thank you for loving us! Amen