Hi guys, sorry for the late submission of this lesson plan, needed time to start planning again and I hope whatever I am able to produce will first be able to impact and convict ourselves before we try to teach and touch the lives of our kids. Thanks for yr understanding.

Key Takeaways:
God’s love is measureless
God’s love covers all things
God’s love empowers us to love
God’s love lasts forever

Hook:
Start by asking your kids what they want to be when they grow up:
I hope they are able to have some form of goals/ambitions
Willing to share so we can get to know them better (regardless how ambitious or funny their goals are)
We can also share with them what we want to be when we grow old
Next, ask them what is required in order to get there and be who we want to be.
For example, to be a teacher what do we need?
Tangible aspect: NIE certificate, University degree, etc. (Academics, Money?)
Intangible aspect: Patience (naughty kids), communication skills, etc.
Therefore in summary of the hook, there are certain things that we require to be whoever we desire to be. Similarly, to be a person of Love, there is also something we need. We can have all the patience in the world, or all the knowledge of how love works, but without Love himself in our lives how can we love?
Expounding from last wk’s verse Luke 7:47, the main principle of this wk’s lesson is to Receive first, Love second. Let’s keep this in mind and move on to Qn1.

1) Read 1 Cor 13:4-8 and fill in the blanks concerning love’s qualities.
This passage brings us to a deeper and much specific understanding of love and what it is. Many of us at some point of time may have had challenged ourselves to grace such qualities, but often than not have failed. We try to psycho ourselves to be “patient and kind”, nor to be “envious, boastful or prideful” but that does not work. We will never be able to meet all these qualities at all. Replace love with Christ’s name in this passage to see if it is true of Christ. Let us learn to see how Jesus’ love is measureless and so wide that he can meet all our needs.

2) With that we can lead the kids into answering how Christ’ love is real in their lives and which quality stands out most to them. (You can try to share what His love means to you before asking them to encourage participation)
- For example, whenever I make mistakes, be it in work or even whilst having fun and offend or hurt the people around me, knowing that there will be severe repercussions… It is convicting and uplifting to know that Christ keeps no records of my wrongs no matter what happens. That is love isn’t it?
Also, 1 Cor 13:7 talks of love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endure all things.”
Christ love is here to cover your guilt and weaknesses and it is so relevant cos we’re human and we make mistakes every day. Be it for our kids when they cheat, lie to their parents, skip classes etc and then feel guilty, help them to understand that His love covers it all.

3) These verses help to show the all-consuming effect His love has on our lives regarding sin.
1 Cor 6:11 - We are clean, right and holy, in the Name of Jesus. Sin has no stronghold on us physically and spiritually. (guilt should never precede God’s love and grace for us)
1 Thess 5:23 - God will make us pure to allow us to abide and belong to Him.
Hebrews 9: 13-14 - The blood of Christ makes us clean (spiritually) and our conscience pure
I think it is important to convey the meaning of these verses on how powerful the effect of God’s love is in our lives regarding sin, because this clearly shows that sin is defeated daily and it does become a stronghold in our lives.

4) How does Eph 4:32 help us to respond to those who hurt us?
By allowing us to be conscious of how kind and compassionate the Lord is to us. Also before attempting this question please go through the “Loving Our Enemies” paragraph with your kids.

The main point I would like to drive at is that it is not easy to respond to hate or hurt, and by being conscious of God’s love for us we are able to see 2 things clearer:
1) We are sinners and deserve His grace and love
2) We are sinners just like they all are (those who cause us pain is exactly like whom we are, and who Christ came to save)
Help them to understand that we are all in need of a Saviour who loves us for who we are.

5) Living in the Overflow
You can refer to Luke 7:36-48 to understand the context of it all. It shows the contrast between Simon the “righteous” and the sinful woman and yet what it meant for Jesus. (it is still applicable now) This passage shows what it is to receive God’s love by acknowledging our weaknesses and need for a savior. Only by receiving this love can
we learn to love others the way He did.

6) Keeping Tabs
Lastly, please guide them through the “Keeping Tabs” portion.
Matt:21-22 shows Jesus’ reply to Peter: “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Please do not miss the point on how many times we are called to forgive, but rather let us focus on Jesus’ answer that underscores how Jesus’ love for us can never be exhausted.
1 Cor 13:8 - Love never fails
Jesus’ love for us will never fail nor wither. Therefore this love that we place our hope and trust on will not fail us, nor will it die out like our temporal happiness, successes or even certain friendships. Wherever in our lives now, be it army, work or school… things, circumstances and people may fail us, but help us to realize that the love of God always lasts. May we help our kids understand that too.

Sorry for the long lesson, I just hope this lesson helped you understand how much God loves us and how I’d love to let my kid experience this love as well. You know your kids best so I’m sure you can convey this message better than how my blog format is. Thank you for your time spent reading.

Yours,
Edmund