2L	Loving God
	Aim To make children realize that how they express their earthly loves is in many ways similar to how Christians express their love for God. Preparation Before the lesson cut up relationship sheet into fifteen separate relationship cards. Photocopy appropriate number of expressions sheets and grids. Lesson Remind children that Jesus did not just tell His disciples that He loved them, He showed them by washing their feet. In this way, love is more than a feeling. Whereas you can hate someone without doing anything about it, love without action is not love. A useful example of this may be a parent who claims to love a child but does not bother to feed it or change its nappy. Is this love? Invite children to consider how other forms of love are expressed - e.g. a soldier for his country, a fan for his idol, a pet for its owner, a friend for a friend, a child for a parent. Activity Following brief discussion, divide the children into pairs and give each pair one relationship card, one expression sheet and one grid. Ask the children to write down on the grid provided the many ways in which the type of love described on their card is expressed. The expression sheet serves as a prompt, although more able pupils may not require it. Once they have exhausted the type of love described on their card, they are to swap it for another. Allow fifteen minutes for this activity. After which, discuss suggestions for each of the six different types of love. Following discussion, tell children that Jesus said His followers must love God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind. But what did He mean? How are Christians supposed to show their love for God? Suggest to the children that the answer to this question lies in how people express other forms of love. Ask children to look over their lists and the Expression sheets and to tick those expressions of love which would be appropriate for God, e.g. obeying (from child parent list). On the board, list ten ways to love God. Children can copy these into their books or use as a basis for a display. Conclusion Conclude lesson by telling children that Jesus said the way to show love for Him was to keep His commandments, one of which states, love other people. So Christians show their love for God by serving other people. Teachers' Notes It may be more appropriate for certain pairs of pupils to consider only one form of love rather than all five.
	A Primary Vision resource provided by Stockport Christians in Schools Trust

2L

Loving God

Aim

To make children realize that how they express their earthly loves is in many ways similar to how Christians express their love for God.

Preparation

Before the lesson cut up relationship sheet into fifteen separate relationship cards. Photocopy appropriate number of expressions sheets and grids.

Lesson

Remind children that Jesus did not just tell His disciples that He loved them, He showed them by washing their feet. In this way, love is more than a feeling. Whereas you can hate someone without doing anything about it, love without action is not love. A useful example of this may be a parent who claims to love a child but does not bother to feed it or change its nappy. Is this love?

Invite children to consider how other forms of love are expressed - e.g. a soldier for his country, a fan for his idol, a pet for its owner, a friend for a friend, a child for a parent.

Activity

Following brief discussion, divide the children into pairs and give each pair one relationship card, one expression sheet and one grid. Ask the children to write down on the grid provided the many ways in which the type of love described on their card is expressed. The expression sheet serves as a prompt, although more able pupils may not require it. Once they have exhausted the type of love described on their card, they are to swap it for another.

Allow fifteen minutes for this activity. After which, discuss suggestions for each of the six different types of love. Following discussion, tell children that Jesus said His followers must love God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind. But what did He mean? How are Christians supposed to show their love for God?

Suggest to the children that the answer to this question lies in how people express other forms of love. Ask children to look over their lists and the Expression sheets and to tick those expressions of love which would be appropriate for God, e.g. obeying (from child parent list).

On the board, list ten ways to love God. Children can copy these into their books or use as a basis for a display.

Conclusion

Conclude lesson by telling children that Jesus said the way to show love for Him was to keep His commandments, one of which states, love other people. So Christians show their love for God by serving other people.

Teachers' Notes

It may be more appropriate for certain pairs of pupils to consider only one form of love rather than all five.

2L