The Children's Chapel Award-winning site, featuring Bible stories from a variety of authors, excellent Christian resources for children, and over 140 links to other Christian and family-friendly sites for kids. ~ A Ministry of The Missing Link, Inc. ~ [Picture of fruit] Fruit of the Spirit [Picture of fruit] [Picture of peach] Love [Picture of peach] Jesus Loves Children Text Version by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards 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? [Picture of cherries] 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. [Picture of pear] 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. [Picture of peach] 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 love? The little girl will get older and find new interests, and stop playing with the doll house. Is that love? [Picture of grapes] Even adults don't always know what love is. The car will someday breakdown 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. [Picture of fruit divider] 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. [Picture of cherries] 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! [Picture of apple] 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 roughly. "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. [Picture of grapes] 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! [Picture of Jesus and the 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. [Picture of fruit divider] 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. [Picture of apple] 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). [Picture of grapes] 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 [Picture of Dog and boy praying] **************************************************** 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 [Picture of peach] STORIES IN THIS SERIES: The Fruit of the Spirit Love Joy Peace Longsuffering Gentleness Goodness Faith Meekness Temperance [Picture of fruit divider] [Picture of crayons for coloring resources] Jesus and the Children Let the Little Children Come to Me Jesus Loves Me Happy Day Coloring Book [Picture of pear] [Picture of Fruit Basket] God Wants Us to Bear Good Fruit Fruit of the Spirit Tree Fruit Fruit of the Spirit My Story of Jesus Happy Day Coloring Book Bible Story Coloring Pages V2 (Reproducible ) New Testament Bible Story Cards Coloring Book My Bible Coloring Book (Shirley Dobson ) Children's Coloring Books Smart Coloring Books [Picture of child reading a book] Let the Children Come to Me Jesus Blesses the Children I Know Jesus Loves Me Jesus Loves the Little Children Board Book Come to Jesus: Jesus Blesses the Children [Picture of cherries] Bearing Fruit Fruit of the Spirit Stories Fruit of the Spirit (Arch Books ) The Fruit of the Spirit Life Is an Adventure with Ernie The Fruit of the Spirit Is Jesus in Me 365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories (Barbour Publishing ) Awesome Book of Bible Stories for Kids Pilgrim's Progress for Kids 365 Activities For Kids: A Bible Story And Activity For Each Day Of The Year 100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs w/2 CD Baby's First Bible Beginner's Bible Bible In Pictures For Toddlers Bible stories Early Reader's Bible Five Minute Devotions for Children (ages 4-8) Little Hands Story Bible The Children's Illustrated Bible The Preschoolers Bible Toddlers Bible Pilgrim's Progress for Kids Children's Books Spanish Children's Books The Picture Bible (my children's favorite!) [Picture of activities] Life of Christ - Jesus Blesses the Children - Lesson and Activities (pdf) (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader ) Jesus and the Children - Bible Lesson and Activities (pdf) (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader ) Jesus and the Children - PDF - Activities (pdf) (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader ) Fill-in-the-Blank Bible Fun: Jesus Blesses the Children [Picture of peach] Fruit of the Spirit Online Game Online Word Search Fruit of the Spirit Maze Fruit of the Spirit Online Jigsaw Puzzle Online Word Search Online Hangman Crossword Puzzle Word Search Unscramble Online Coded Bible Puzzle Coded Bible Puzzle Online Fruit Basket to Arrange Online Animated Jigsaw Puzzle Online Animated Slide Puzzle Amazing Bible Mazes Best Book of Bible Activities Encyclopedia Of Bible Games For Childrens Ministry The Humongous Book of Games for Children's Ministry Memory Verse Games for Kids (Take Me Through the Bible Series ) Big Book Of Bible Puzzles (Reproducible ) Bible Puzzles: Word Search Big Book Of Bible Story Activity Pages V1 (Gospel Light Big Books ) More Bible Time with Kids Christian and educational toys Children's Activity Books Children's Puzzles Crossword Books Sticker Books [Picture of musical notes] Jesus Loves Me Jesus Loves Even Me <../song3.html> Jesus Loves the Little Children Jesus Is My Friend Today [Picture of grapes] Fruit of the Spirit (sheet music/MIDI) I Want To Be Like Jesus (sheet music/MIDI) Fruit of the Spirit (mp3) The Fruit of The Spirit Song/MIDI/CHORDS Fruit of the Spirit Cadence Action Bible Songs (Cedarmont Kids ) Bible Songs on CD 100 Singalong Songs For Kids (Cedarmont ) 25 Favorite Sunday School Songs (Veggie Tales ) Children's Music CDs and DVDs Fruit of the Spirit Animation Auto B Good Fruits of the Spirit DVD Sunday School Songs (Cedarmont Kids) Shop Now Music Machine Shop Now Adventures from the Book of Virtues You Are Special DVD Bible Stories DVD God's Story from Creation to Eternity (listen & watch online) Read and See DVD Bible Children's DVDs crafts Jesus Loves Me Doorknob Hanger Activities, Crafts and Cards for Valentine's Day [Picture of apple] Fruit Printing Fruit Basket (pdf) (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader ) Fruit of the Spirit Crafts Draw 50 People from the Bible Bible Crafts & More (Ages 6-8) Bible Crafts On A Shoestring Budget (Ages 5-10) Big Book of Bible Crafts (Ages 3-12) Encyclopedia Of Bible Crafts For Preschoolers Praise God With...Craft Series Praise God with a Paper Plate (PreK-Grade 2) Really Big Book Of Cool Crafts For Kids w/CD-Ages 4-12 (Reproducible ) Children's Crafts & Hobbies RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS Love One Another Activity Love Tug Game Let the Children Come Interactive Group Activities Love The Fruit of the Spirit - Love Love Is Spinning Game [Picture of pear] Fruit of the Spirit Story Idea Experience the Fruits of the Spirit Fruit of the Spirit Characters Fruits of the Spirit and How We Can Show Them to Others Fruit of the Spirit Fruit Bowl Fruit of the Spirit The Fruit of the Spirit Lesson Plan Fruit of the Spirit Anagrams Fruit of the Spirit Name Tags Fruit of the Spirit Puppet/Skits Scripts Apple Snacks Chocolate Covered Strawberries Fruit Kabobs Fruit of the Spirit Pizza Fruit of the Spirit Game Please Pass The Fruit (Game) Fruit of the Spirit Necklace (Memory Tool) Fruit of the Spirit: a Childrens Bible Study of Galatians 5:22 Shop Now Kids Travel Guide Fruit Of The Spirit Shop Now Fruit Of The Spirit Bookmark Shop Now Fruit Of The Spirit Bulletin Shop Now Fruit Of The Spirit Laminated Chart Shop Now Fruit Of The Spirit Bracelet Shop Now Fruitz Of The Spirit Game (2-10 Players, Ages 7+) Shop Now Little Angels & Fruit Of The Spirit Game (2-4 Players. Ages 3+) Shop Now Fruit Of The Spirit Chubbies Pen Shop Now Poster Set-Fruit Of The Spirit & Armor Of God Shop Now Bible Memory Games (Creative Bible Activities for Children ) Bible Story Coloring Pages (Reproducible ) 30 New Testament QuickSkits for Kids 801 Questions Kids Ask About God (Focus on the Family ) Absentee Postcards African American Resources Almost Every Answer for Practically Any Teacher (Bruce Wilkinson ) Bible Crafts and Activities for Any Story Big Book of Bible Games (Gospel Light ) Bulletin Board helps Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul Children's Church Resources Children's Sermon Church Nanny Sos: Teaching Discipline Essentials for Preschool Ministry Volunteers Church Supplies Closing Prayer Edible Object Talks That Teach About Jesus (Edible Object Talks ) 52 Games That Teach The Bible Flannel Graph Story Sets to Purchase Free educational videos God's Servants Teach Me (Instant Bible Lessons ) God's Wisdom for Little Boys: Character-Building Fun from Proverbs Help! I'm a Sunday School Teacher (Focus on the Family ) Hermie Scripture Memory How To Lead a Child To Christ King James Version Award Bibles Leading Little Ones to God: A Child's Book of Bible Teachings Lord Teach Me To Pray For Kids (Kay Arthur ) Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours Memory Verse Ideas Memory Verse Resources Object Talks Opening Prayer Parenting Power Point Presentations of Various Bible Stories Pray & Play Bible for Young Children Puppet Scripts Resources for Teachers Seven Laws of the Learner (Bruce Wilkinson ) Spanish Resources Sunday School Attendance Boosters: 165 Fresh Ideas Sunday school resources Talking to God (Instant Bible Lessons ) Teachers' Reproducible Classroom Pages Teaching children Teaching Children Memory Verses Ages 4-5 Teaching Children To Pray Ages 4-5 Teaching to Change Lives (by Howard Hendrickss ) The Big Book of Bible Skits Things To Make Craft Activities 20 Bible Verses Every Child Should Know /CD (Heritage Builders ) Vacation Bible School What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know (by Elmer Towns ) [Picture of fruit divider] BIBLE STORY ARCHIVE http://childrenschapel.org/bibstory2.html Copyright (c) 2011-2022 by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards You may NOT re-post this Bible story. 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