Series Description
On the night before he gave up his life, Jesus told his friends, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Sounds simple, right? But instead of acknowledging that God is love, culture has decided that love is god. Our world applies “love” to everything from romance to a favorite ice cream flavor to encouraging people to do whatever feels best in the moment. That’s why kids need a radical redefinition of what true love looks like: choosing to treat others the way Jesus treats us.
This month, we’ll explore four stories from the life of Jesus, starting with Nicodemus. Kids will discover that God loves not just them, but the entire world—everyone who has ever lived or will live—and that this love led Jesus to take on human form to rescue us. We’ll cover the most important commandment, to love God and love others, and we’ll see how the love of Jesus changed Zacchaeus in a pretty dramatic way. Finally, we’ll look at the time that Jesus healed both the daughter of an important leader and a suffering, outcast woman, as a reminder that we can show love to people in need.
What’s the first thing you want to do when you discover a funny video or listen to a powerful podcast? Share it, of course! That’s why we chose “Like and Subscribe: Share the love of Jesus” as this month’s theme. We want kids to know that there’s nothing more awesome they can share with others than the love and adventure of a life with Jesus.
Memory Verse
“I give you a new command. Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have loved you.”
John 13:34, NIrV
Application
Love: Choosing to treat others the way Jesus treats us
Week 1 (February 1)
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus | John 3:1–21
Bottom Line: God loves the whole world.
Conversation Starter: Where have you seen God’s love?
We start off as Nicodemus visits Jesus at night. While Nicodemus struggles to understand how a grown-up could be born again, Jesus challenges him to see with new eyes. John, recording this scene, interprets for us: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.”
Week 2 (February 8)
The Most Important Commandment
The Most Important Commandment | Matthew 22:34–40 (Exodus 20:1–21)
Bottom Line: Love God. Love others.
Conversation Starter: How have others shown love to you?
During Week 2, we explore the Most Important Commandment. Several religious leaders try to trap Jesus with a trick question: basically, choose your top commandment so everyone can take you down for picking the wrong one. Just how many rules are we talking here? We revisit the original Ten Commandments in Exodus, as well as the additional 603 laws and the extras added around them by the religious leaders. Instead of debating, Jesus rolls them all into two simple commands.
Week 3 (February 15)
Daniel and the Lions’ Den
Zacchaeus | Luke 19:1–10
Bottom Line: The love of Jesus can change things for the better.
Conversation Starter: How can love change things?
In Week 3, Jesus singles out Zacchaeus, a tax collector who has scrambled up a tree for a better view. Instead of scolding Zacchaeus for stealing from his neighbors, Jesus invites himself over to the tax collector’s house for a party. Profoundly changed by Jesus’ love and acceptance, Zacchaeus offers to pay back anyone he has cheated—four times as much!
Week 4 (February 22)
Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter and a Suffering Woman
Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter and a Suffering Woman | Mark 5:21–43
Bottom Line: Show the love of Jesus to people in need.
Conversation Starter: How can you show love to others?
We wrap up the month with Jairus, a synagogue leader, who begs Jesus to come heal his gravely ill daughter. While Jesus is on the way, a desperate woman with a chronic illness pushes through the crowd to touch his robe… and is instantly made well. Jesus doesn’t discriminate between the wealthy and the outcast; instead, he responds to anyone in need.