Love. This is a small word that carries with it a lot of weight. We attach it to so many different things in our lives. We love sunny days or art, cars, your job, or even your favorite cookie. In different ways, we also love our spouses, kids, and best friends. So, what does “love” really mean? The most comprehensive definition of love can be found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. God, who is holy, just, LOVING, and faithful, wants you to know that He LOVES you this way! You could even think of the bible as a giant love letter written to you from God to tell you just how much He loves you!
LOVE IS
MEMORY VERSE:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
This Week’s Finish Line:
God's faithful love endures forever.
We can learn a lot about God’s love from Psalm 136! Psalm 136:1-9 tells us to give thanks to God because He is good, He is God, and He is our Creator. We can see how God’s faithful love endures forever when we look at His creation. Psalm 136:10-22 reminds us of how God showed His love to the Israelites by bringing them out of Egypt, leading them through the wilderness, giving them victory in battle, and giving them the land He promised them. We can see how God’s faithful love endures forever when we remember how He kept His promises to His people. Finally, Psalm 136: 23-26 talks about how God remembers us, knows that we need Him, and provides for us. We can see how God’s faithful love endures forever in the way He takes care of us. How can you see God’s faithful love in your life today?
Family Questions:
READ PSALM 136:1-9
- What do you think the writer of this psalm wanted us to remember? (God’s faithful love endures forever!)
- Let’s look at that phrase. What does the word “faithful” mean? (Constant, trustworthy) What does it mean to “endure”? (To keep going and stay the same even when it’s hard) How long is “forever”? (There is no end, always)
- How is God described? What do you learn about Him in these verses? (Example: He is good, mighty, creator, loving, deserves our thanks, etc.)
- What did God create in these verses? How big do you think the universe is? Other than the planets, moons and stars, what else did God make? (everything that exists!) What do you learn about God’s love by looking at everything He created?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
Read Psalm 136. As a family, write your own version of Psalm 136 to remind you of how God has shown His love for you in your lives. How has He loved you by protecting and providing for your family? How do you feel knowing He knows all about you and still loves you anyway? Which of His promises remind you of His great love for you?
Friend: Drive Time
Psalm 136:5-9 talks about God as Creator. As you drive around, take turns pointing out things God made. Each time someone notices something, respond together like they did in Psalm 136, “His faithful love endures forever!”
Counselor: Bedtime
Thank God for His love that never ends. Thank Him for creating the entire universe and also for knowing you intimately and loving you personally. Thank Him for all the ways He has loved you throughout your whole life.
Coach: Anytime
From January 7 – February 11, we will be working on memorizing six verses from Romans. These verses make up what we call the Romans Road, and they are a great tool for sharing the gospel with others! This week, work on memorizing Romans 8:1. Click HERE for flash cards to print out and use to help you learn! Don’t forget to check out Join the Journey as we go through the book of Romans this year!
Prayer
Pray and thank God for loving us! Thank Him that his faithful love endures forever! Ask Him to help you love other people in a patient and kind way.
Looking Ahead
Next week, we will be continue in the month of February with our character trait, LOVE.