Ask a series of questions with the children around love.

You might begin with: Today I am going to speak to you about love. Love is important to God and Jesus. In the story of the Good Samaritan we are told to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Who can tell me the story of the Good Samaritan?
If you have a picture book or picture of Luke 10:25–37 in a children’s Bible, you can use this to stimulate the conversation.

What is your favourite way of showing you love someone?
Wait for responses. If these are slow, you can prompt.

Who likes to receive hugs when you go to bed, or go off to school, or when you come home after a sleepover?

Who likes to hear words of encouragement or appreciation? Who feels special when your Mom or Dad say you have been such a great help or when they say they are so proud of you!

Who feels special when you spend quality time with family and friends? Who likes it when your parents give you their undivided attention? Do you like it when you share stories or play games together? How about when you talk about the day?

Another way to show love is through the giving and receiving of gifts. Now these gifts don’t have to be bought from a store. They might be gifts of the heart made at home. Who likes it when your Mom bakes cookies for you after school, or your grandmother knits you mittens, or your Dad puts a photograph of you into a picture frame? Does the giving and receiving of gifts make you feel special?

How many of you like to show your love through acts of service by caring for others? Who here likes to put food in the food bank or set the tables for a potluck at church? Who likes to help an elderly neighbour with their garden—raking leaves, cutting the grass or planting bulbs? Who likes to welcome guests in your home by offering them something to eat or helping them feel comfortable?

There are many ways to show our love.

How did the Good Samaritan show his love?

He came to the aid of the wounded man lying on the road. He bandaged him up, put him on his animal, took him to an inn, stayed with him for a couple of days and paid the inn keeper to continue looking after him. The Good Samaritan loved with all his heart.

Jesus invites us to love others. He encourages us to use our natural gifts to love others. Jesus knew love is the greatest. How might you share love this week?

Prayer:
Dear God, we thank you for Jesus who shares his love throughout the world. May we learn from him how to love our families, ourselves and others. Teach us to love you with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength and with all our mind; and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Amen.

Children’s Story—the idea of giving different examples of sharing or receiving love comes from The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. These authors expand the concept that children have a preferred ‘love language’ that informs them and helps them to express love to others. It may be physical touch, words of assurance, quality time, gifts or acts of service.