The Greatest Commandment • Love

What is happening in this story?

If you ask a Christian, “How many commandments are there?” we might answer, “Ten.” But many first-century Jews would answer, “613 or more!” There was always a desire to organize and prioritize the commandments. The Pharisees again try to challenge Jesus’ honor and hope to make him slip up, but Jesus displays wisdom by summarizing the law of God in just two commandments: Love God. Love others. The second part of the story focuses on our relationship with God. Jesus is the Messiah because he is the Son of God, not simply the “son of David.” We are holy based upon our relationship with God , not upon the laws seen in the commandments.
 

Why does this story matter for kids?

Kids are familiar with rules at school and home and may know the Ten Commandments and recognize their division into the categories of “love God” and “love others.” They can relate to Jesus taking a test and knowing the answers and appreciate Jesus as a respected teacher. Commandments aren’t a simple to-do list or a bunch of unrelated laws. They are a way of responding to God’s love. God’s law leads to love.

What is the lectionary connection?

This lesson gives us an opportunity to summarize key ideas, something that happens at this time of the close of the Season after Pentecost. As we head into the familiar holiday season, kids can also understand seasons of the church year.

 

WATCH

THE VIDEO

  • KIDS AGED 10 AND YOUNGER

You’ll be hearing a familiar word a lot today. Maybe you already said the word to someone this morning! It’s . . . love! Today, let’s look for times when our video friends are being loving or think they are being loving.

Watch the video below:

 

Ask kids these questions about the video:

  • What was Otto trying to do? Was he successful?

  • Did Otto’s way work? Why or why not?

  • How do you love God? How do you love other people?

  • What’s it like to try to love people all the time? What makes it easy? What makes it hard?

 
 

  • KIDS AGED 11 AND OLDER

What chores are you assigned at home? Do you do them without being reminded? Watch Mimi’s effort to change Ruby’s perspective as they work together.

Watch the video below:

 

Ask kids these questions about the video:

  • Why did Ruby think rules weren’t for her?

  • What was the first rule you had to follow?

  • What rule or expectation do you have now that you didn’t have when you were six?

  • How do you respond when someone gives you a new rule?

 

read

the bible story

Matthew 22:34-46

Another attempted trap! The Pharisees were trying to get Jesus to say that one of their many laws was more important than the others.

Ask these questions after you read the story:

  • What does Jesus mean when he says, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets”?

  • How can one law include many?

  • What are some ways you “love yourself”?

  • What changes when we follow Jesus’ command to love others like we love ourselves?

wrap up with

review + prayer

Jesus wasn’t trying to show off. He just found a simpler way. When we focus on others rather than ourselves, it’s easier to let love be the only rule we need to follow. Is it easier or harder to follow this one big rule?

Pray together:

God, thank you for really, really making things simple when it comes to living with our neighbors. Thank you for love! Amen!

try one or two

Follow-up activities

This week’s theme is LOVE. God commands us to love God with all our heart and love our neighbors as ourselves. Here are some ideas to help your family show this kind of love.

  • you are loved

    Make note cards that say “You are loved.” Put these in your neighbors’ mailboxes or inside their doors. Sign your family’s name with a smile. Talk about how these loving messages are sharing God’s love.

  • how many times?

    What does the Bible says about neighbors? Go to an online Bible search engine. Enter the word neighbor. How many times does
    it appear in the Bible? What do some of the verses say about how to love neighbors? Look up Luke 10:28-30. What does this say about loving neighbors?

  • braided reminder

    Braid a three-strand necklace or bracelet. One strand shows God’s love for you. The second strand shows your love for God. The third shows love for your neighbor. Tie it around your neck or wrist all week to remind you that these three loves are part of the most important commandment. (For rubber band bracelets with a loom, make one with three colors. Pick one color to represent God, another to represent yourself, and a third to represent neighbors.)

This week, our family is praying for:

Season of PentecostSalt 'n Light Kids