The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love - Jesus Loves Children by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards

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Fruit of the Spirit

Love
Jesus Loves Children
by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards

Text Version | Afrikaans | Italian

Many people talk about the things they think they love. A little boy might say he loves his new video game. A little girl might say she loves her new doll house. A grown man might say he loves his car or a grown woman might say she loves her new hairdo. But is all of this really love? Can a person really love things?

Let's take a moment to think about love…. What is love? … How can we show love? … (Pause here to let some of the children share their ideas.)

Love means caring for another person as much as you care for yourself. Love means to treat another person the way you want to be treated. We show our love through our actions. If you would not want to be hurt, or pinched, or kicked, or teased, or bullied, then you should never do those things to someone else. On the other hand, if you would like to be treated kindly, then you should be kind to others.

The Bible, in 1 Corinthians 13, tells us how we show our love:

By being patient. This means waiting a long time without whining or complaining.

By being kind, even when someone is not kind to you.

By not being envious. That means being happy when good things happen to someone else and not being upset that it didn't happen to you.

By being well behaved.

By sharing and not being selfish.

By staying calm and not being quick to become angry.

By telling the truth.

The Bible also tells us that:

Love never ends. Love lasts forever.

Now let's take another look at the things people think they love. The little boy will eventually become bored with playing the same video game over and over. It will be left on the shelf and forgotten. Is that really love?

The little girl will get older and find new interests, and stop playing with the doll house. Is that really love?

Even adults don't always know what love is. The car will someday break down, and the man will have to dispose of it and get a new one. The woman's hair will grow; she will not like it and will get a new hairstyle. All of these things are only with us for a little while. We cannot and should not love things, because they come to an end and then love would have to end. But real love never ends. We should love people and we should love God so that our love will last forever.

One day, Jesus and his friends were walking along the beautiful coast of Judea. As they were walking and talking, and discussing the news of the day, other people saw Jesus and wanted to hear what He was saying. Soon there was a very large crowd of people following Jesus. Some of them were sick, and Jesus touched them and made them well. Others had questions they wanted to ask and listened carefully as Jesus answered them.

There was a group of people called “Pharisees,” who were leaders in the temple. They liked to have long discussions and especially enjoyed arguing and trying to trick one another. When the Pharisees heard that Jesus was nearby, they left their work and rushed to join the crowd. They were having a good time asking questions and trying to trick Jesus but, of course, Jesus knew what they were trying to do, and He gave them perfect answers every time. They could not trick Jesus!

While the Pharisees were having their discussion with Jesus, some mothers joined the crowd. They knew Jesus was a very important man, and they wanted their children to have a chance to see Him. Holding the hands of their children, they pushed through the crowd, trying to get closer.

When Jesus' friends saw the mothers and children trying to get to the front to see Jesus, they scowled and spoke to them roughly to them. “Go away! Don't you know that Jesus is an important man? Can't you see that He is busy talking with the leaders of the temple? Take your children and go home!” Sad and dejected, the mothers turned to guide their children back the way they had come and away from the crowd.

However, Jesus loved children very much and had a different idea about the situation. He turned to his friends and kindly said, “No, don't send them away. Let the children come to me.” Jesus' friends quickly worked to make a path through the crowd so the mothers and children could get up close to Jesus. The mothers were full of joy and excitement as Jesus reached out his arms toward their children!

One by one, He scooped up the younger children into his loving Arms, held them close, and prayed a special prayer of blessing. He gave each of the older children a tender hug and also prayed a blessing for them. He spoke gently to the mothers and gave them a smile of approval. After each one had seen Jesus and been blessed, Jesus spoke to his friends, the Pharisees, and the rest of the crowd, saying, “Whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God as a child does, will not be able to enter into it.” He was trying to help them all understand that loving God is easy enough for a child to do, and all their long discussions and arguing were unnecessary.

THINK!

1. Which fruit of the Spirit did you learn about in this story?
2. What is love?
3. Can we really love things?
4. According to 1 Corinthians 13, what are some of the ways you can show love to others?
5. Who were the Pharisees?
6. What did Jesus do when his friends wanted to send the children away?

REMEMBER:

Jesus loves you and love lasts forever.

A VERSE TO LEARN

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

ALTERNATE VERSE TO LEARN

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4a KJV).

“Love is patient. Love is Kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4a NIV).

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Do you really know that Jesus loves you? How do you know that? Do you believe it?

Of all people, who do you think loves you the most? How do you know that?

How about you? Is it easy or difficult for you to show love to your parents, your siblings, your grandparents and your friends? Why?

[After discussion:] From the Bible we know that Jesus loves you so much that He gave his life for you on the cross and made you a child of God if you accept Him. Have you accepted his love for you and invited Him into your life as your Lord and Savior? If not, would you like to do that right now?

The Word of God also says that if you don't show love to others, you really don't love God. In other words, if you love Jesus, you will show love to others as well. Ask God to show you ways you can love your parents, siblings, friends and others with your words and actions. If you love someone, don’t keep it to yourself. Let that person know you love them just like Jesus loved you first and showed his love to you through his words and actions.

LET'S PRAY

****************************************************
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me. Help me
remember to love people and show my love by
being kind. Help me bring others to You so they,
too, can know your love. In your Name I pray. Amen.
****************************************************

CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?

1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Matthew 19:1-15
Mark 10:1-15
Luke 18:15-17

STORIES IN THIS SERIES:

The Fruit of the Spirit
Love
Joy
Peace
Longsuffering
Gentleness
Goodness
Faith
Meekness
Temperance

Fruit of the Spirit is love (online)
Jesus and the Children (online)
Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, Coloring Book
Jesus Loves the Children (online)

Fruit of the Spirit Coloring Page (online)
Fruit of the Spirit by Name Coloring Page (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Fruit Basket (online)
God Wants Us to Bear Good Fruit (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Tree (online)
Fruit Bowl (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Reproducible Coloring Book

Action Bible Coloring Book
Coloring Through the Bible (online)
Beginner's Bible Super-Duper Mighty Jumbo Coloring Book
Bible Stories Kids Love Coloring Book (ages 2 to 4)
Big Book of Bible Story Coloring Pages for Elementary Kids

God Loves You Coloring Book:
A Read-aloud Coloring Book About God's Plan for Salvation

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, Coloring Book
My Bible Coloring Book
My Gospel Story by Colors--Activity Book
My Jumbo Bible Story Coloring Book
The Super-Sized Book of Bible Coloring & Art
The Super-Sized Book of Bible Verse Coloring Pages
Children's Bible Coloring Books

Jesus Blesses the Children
Jesus Blesses the Little Children
Jesus Loves Me Happy Day Book

Jesus Loves the Little Children, I Can Read!
Song Series Level 1 (Beginning Reading)

Mark: Jesus Loves the Children (online)
The Story of God's Love for You - eBook

Adventures of Heart Longing:
An Allegory of the Fruit of the Spirit

Cutie Fruities: Scratch'n'Sniff and Glitter!
Fruit of the Spirit
Fruit of the Spirit Bible Collection eBook
Fruit of the Spirit Arch Book
Fruit of the Spirit Stories For Children (online)
God Counts Series: 9 Fruits Alive
Life Is an Adventure with Ernie

Living As God's Girl: Your One-of-a-Kind
Guide to the Fruit of the Spirit

The Fruit of the Spirit (online)

Beginner's Bible
Beginner's Bible for Little Ones
Bible in Pictures For Toddlers
Bible stories
Children's Books
Early Reader's Bible
100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs w/2 CD
Pilgrim's Progress Comic
Spanish Children's Books

365 Activities For Kids:
A Bible Story And Activity For Each Day Of The Year

365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories
The Children's Illustrated Bible
The Picture Bible (also in Spanish)
The Preschooler's Bible
Toddler's Bible

Jigsaw Puzzle (online)
Fill-in-the-blanks (online)
Faith That Sticks: Jesus & Children Stickers
God's Love Object Lesson (online)
Good Fruit Bad Fruit Game (online)
Life of Christ - Jesus Loves the Children - Lesson and Activities (online)
Jesus Blesses the Children, Story & Activity Book
Jesus and the Children - Bible Lesson and Activities (online)
Jesus and the Children Activities (online)
The Life of Jesus - Puzzle Block Bible

Jigsaw Puzzle (online)
Story Cards To Keep and Share (online)
The Fruit of the Spirit activities (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Game (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Bingo Game (online)
Fruit Puzzle (online)
Fruits of the Spirit Dominoes
Online Word Search (online)
Word Search (online)
Memory Match (online)
Faith That Sticks: Fruit Of The Spirit Stickers
Teacher Created: Fruit Of The Spirit Stickers
The Fruit of the Spirit Spinning Top Game & Puzzle Sheet

Best Book of Bible Activities
Bible Puzzles: Word Search
Big Book Of Bible Puzzles
Big Book Of Bible Story Activity Pages V1
Bingo (online)
Children's Activity Books
Children's Puzzles
Christian and educational toys
Crossword Books
Encyclopedia Of Bible Games For Children's Ministry
Games
Jumbo Bible Activity Book 4
Memory Verse Games for Kids
Sticker Books
The Humongous Book of Games for Children's Ministry
The Super Sized Book of Bible Puzzles

Always Remember (online)
Behold What Manner of Love (online)
Beloved Let Us Love One Another (online)
Jesus Loves Me (online)
Jesus Loves Even Me (online)
Jesus Loves the Little Children (online)
Jesus Is My Friend Today (online)
Let The Children Come To Me (Tiny Tot Pwaise 1 Album Version) [Music Download]
Psalty: Beloved, Let Us Love One Another (online)
To Be His Child (online)

Character Builders: Love (online)
DouglasTalks: Love God, Love Others (watch online)
Jesus Teaches Me About Love (watch online)
Lettuce Love One Another! DVD
LifeKids: Love in Action (watch online)

VeggieTales: Fruits of the Spirit Stories
Vol. 1: Love, Joy, Peace DVD

You Are Special DVD
Zoe Kids: Fruit of the Spirit - Love (watch online)

Adventures in Odyssey: The Fruits of the Spirit -
12 Episodes to Grow On

Auto B Good Fruits of the Spirit DVD
By Their Fruit (watch online)
Camp New: Humble Pie, DVD
Character Builders, 2 Disc Set (Repackaged)
Donut Man: Barnyard Fun & On The Air, DVD
Hide 'Em In Your Heart 1 & 2 CD (Steve Green)
Music Machine: The Fruit Of The Spirit CD
Music Machine (watch online)

All the Shows, Volume 1: 1993-1999
Do You Wonder Why? (online)
God's Story from Creation to Eternity (online)
Read and Share DVD Bible
The Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum Kit
Bible story DVDs
Children's DVDs

Jesus Loves Me Doorknob Hanger (online)
Activities, Crafts and Cards for Valentine's Day (online)
Basket Craft (online)
Printable Fruit Basket (online)

Fruit Printing (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Crafts (online)
Basket Craft (online)

Bible Crafts
Bible Crafts & More (Ages 3-6)
Bible Craft Videos (online)
Crafting the Word of God (online)

Easy-to-Make Bible Crafts PDF for Kids
& Digital Album Download [PDF Download]

Encyclopedia Of Bible Crafts For Preschoolers
Hot Crafts for Cool Kids pdf download
Maker-ific WOWS! (ages 8-12): 54 Surprising Bible Crafts

More! Bible Crafts on a Shoe String Budget:
Paper Sacks & Cardboard Tubes
(Reproducible: Ages 5-10)

Puppet Crafts For Kids (online)

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS

Free Bible images for this story (online)
Love One Another Activity (online)
Love Tug Game (online)
Let the Children Come (online)
Interactive Group Activities (online)
Love (online)
The Fruit of the Spirit - Love (online)

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