Free Bible Lesson for Kids on Love (The Good Samaritan)
LESSON OVERVIEW
Theme: Love Like Jesus
Big Truth: Jesus loves me no matter what—and helps me love others too.
Key Verse: “Love each other as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
Bible Story: The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25–37
Pillar Focus: Presence (Learning to love like Jesus by being close to His heart)
1) Introduction:
Teaching on the love of God is sometimes a complex topic, but it is actually simple. In this lesson, your kids will learn that Jesus loves them and that love can be shared with everyone around them. This kind of love is not just a feeling, or a Valentine’s Day - it is a person. Love is a Person, and His name is Jesus. Through this lesson, your kids will meet the lover of their Soul, Jesus, and learn how to share that with someone else.
2) Game: Memory Verse Puzzle
Instructions: Divide your kids into different groups, with your classroom leaders joining in on each group, and let them come up with a name for their team and a warcry!
Next, have the Key Verse printed out on big pieces of cardstock paper cut into puzzles (make it more than 10 pieces of paper), and put it in various sections of the room.
On the count of 3, let the kids run one by one to gather 1 piece of the puzzle until they have all the pieces (They have to place the puzzle piece upside down!). They can only start putting the puzzle together once all the papers are there!!
The team that completes the Memory Verse puzzle first wins a prize!
3) Praise & Worship:
Instructions: Praise & Worship is, if not, probably the most important aspect of your kids’ time with Jesus and each other. The Holy Spirit comes when we glorify Jesus (John 16:14). So, prep yourself and your classroom leaders to be sensitive to what the Lord wants to and is doing during this time! God is the best leader - so let Him lead.
Praise Songs: “Turn it up” by Planetshakers, “Deep cries out” by Bethel Kids
Worship Song: “How He loves us” by Kim Walker Smith
*During the worship song, encourage kids to find a space where they feel Jesus wants them to sit or be. Encourage your leaders to walk around praying for kids who you can see is being touched by God or need a touch from Him.
4) Bible Story - ACT OUT
Instructions: In this Bible Story, Kids will learn about the greatest commandment by Jesus!
Characters Needed:
Narrator
Jesus
Pharisee
Disciples (to stand around and listen)
Introduction: Kids! Have you ever heard about the Great Commandment? Can anyone tell me (Pause) It is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER! Today, we will learn about what Jesus said exactly to someone who thought he knew more than Jesus…
*Have Jesus, the disciples, and the Pharisee come in and act out as you are narrating:
Narrator: One day, a Pharisee (who was an expert in the law - basically, he knew the Old Testament much better than anyone else) went up against Jesus, thinking he could test Him.
Pharisee: “Oh, Teacher, tell me - what must I do to have eternal life?”
Narrator: Jesus immediately questioned him back…
Jesus: “You tell me first - what is written in the law? How do you understand the law about eternal life?”
*The disciples are leaning in even closer, knowing that they are about to learn something they’ve never heard before. Let them look back and forth between Jesus - excited to see what’s going to go down.
Pharisee: “Well, it is to love your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbour as yourself.”
Jesus: “Well done, you have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.”
*Jesus, the Pharisee, and the Disciples can exit the room.
Narrator: The Pharisee answered correctly, and Jesus said that this was how you can have eternal life. Jesus, on the other hand, continued on with a Parable. Let’s read it together in the Bible: Jesus said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have
Next, Jesus asked the Pharisee, Which one of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the Robbers? Kids - which one do you think (Pause for answers and take the answers)
Yes! The clever Pharisee, just like you, said the one who had mercy on him.” Jesus then commanded us to do the same.
Closing: You see, Kids, Jesus gives us two commandments here. 1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and the second one is… Yes! Love your neighbour as yourself. Look at your friend next to you and repeat after me: “You are created to love God and love me!”
Sometimes it is difficult to love our neighbour (or those closest to us), especially if they say things that might hurt us or treat us differently. The Good News is that Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected back to life because HE LOVES US! Because He loved us first, when we love others, we don’t do it out of our own love - it’s Jesus’ love that changes us and those around us!
5) Holy Spirit Activation
Instructions: The Holy Spirit is the one who shows us Jesus (John 16:13-14), and fills us with His Love. Take time during this activation for the Holy Spirit to come and encounter and fill your kids with God’s love. Invite your kids to ask Jesus where He would like them to sit or be, and let them follow His leading. Next, let them ask the Holy Spirit to come and fill them with the love of God.
*The Holy Spirit might show them a picture, or use their feelings; encourage the kids to lean into that moment and ask the Holy Spirit why He is doing what He is doing.
6) Small Group Questions
Instructions: Gather your kids into small groups with a leader, and discuss these questions together.
What is the Bible Verse for today?
How can you love yourself better?
What can you do this week that might be a bit risky, but where you can share Jesus with someone?
Who are two people that you can pray for today?
7) Prayer
Instructions: Encourage your kids that this prayer is one they get to pray every single day, and it is necessary as such as well. Let your kids repeat this after you.
Jesus, thank you for loving me. Thank you that you died for my sins and that you filled me with your love. Holy Spirit, take my hand and lead me to the right people who need your love today and this week. Jesus, will you come and fill me with your love every day!