Morningside Kids 8/29/21

The apostle John had been one of Jesus’ closest friends. Along with Peter and James, John was part of the innermost core of Jesus’ disciples. John even referred to himself in his Gospel as “the one whom Jesus loved.” John left Jerusalem and went to Ephesus around A.D. 70. He stayed there as a church leader until nearly A.D. 100.

It is not surprising that 50 years after Jesus returned to heaven, John wrote a letter to help believers understand who Jesus is: the Son of God. At the center of John’s message was one key theme: love. Obeying God’s command to love one another is a mark of believers, whom John describes as brothers and sisters—children of God.

John wrote that God is love, and if believers truly love God—if they truly are His children—they will love one another. Our love, which we draw from the power of the Spirit, should be so deep that we are willing to lay down our lives for one another just as Jesus did for us. It is this deep, genuine love that will cause the world to understand the reality of the gospel.

Love is misunderstood and distorted in our culture today, and your kids have been or will be impacted by this in some way. Your kids may see love as just a feeling, as something temporary, or as something that has to be earned. This Bible story provides you with the perfect opportunity to expose the world’s myths about love and remind your kids of the truth about God’s love.

Also help your kids begin to grasp the idea that followers of Jesus are children of God. This is an identity shared by all believers. As Christians, we can know that Jesus loves us by what He did for us: dying to save us from our sins. We, in turn, can show our love for Jesus by what we do to serve others.

John wrote a letter to teach believers in the church—the children of God—about the importance of showing love. Love is more than feelings or words; it is an action. Jesus showed God’s love for us when He died on the cross to rescue people from sin.

Volume 12: All Things New

Unit 35, Session 4: Children of God

Bible Passage: I John 2-3

Story Point: Children of God love one another with their actions. 
Key Passage: Philippians 1:6

Big Picture Question: What will happen for all Christians in the future? One day all Christians will see Jesus in His glory and live with Him forever.