"DISCIPLE = Love Others" Object Lesson (John 13:34-35) Children's Sermon

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God wants us to love everyone and people should know that we love them. However, when in regards to loving other Christians, the Bible is very specific. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)

Jesus knew that people would be watching us to see how his disciples treated one another. When the world looks at your group in children’s church or Sunday School, what do they see? Do they see kids that act like Christ’s disciples or do they see something else? That’s a great question to pose to your students.

Show them what the above verse means with the Loving Others Object Lesson.

What You’ll Need

• Dry erase board
• Eraser
• Dry erase markers
• Easel

Bonus: We’ve included our Love worksheet, L is for Love, and Love Fruit of the Spirit coloring pages.

Prepare to Teach

Place the dry erase board on the easel if needed. You could also hang the board where the kids can see it in your teaching area. Write the word DISCIPLE at the top of the board in large letters.

Let’s Teach

Hey everyone! This week we are going to talk about this bible verse. Let’s read John 13: 34-35.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

As you can see, Jesus was very specific about how people would know that we were his disciples. They would recognize our great love for one another. On the board I wrote a word. What does that say? (Disciple!)

That’s right. I thought it would be fun to play a word game to explain what being a true disciple of Jesus might look like. Let’s go through these letter by letter. (Allow kids to guess what each letter stands for. Follow the chart below and write the word or phrase under the correct letter.

D- Devoted to Chris: A disciple doesn’t walk away from his brothers and sisters. He loves them no matter what.

I- Involved: A disciple of Christ cares about other disciples. He or she gets involved in the good things that are happening around him.

S-Spirit: The Holy Spirit lives in all disciples. He keeps us full of peace!

C-Christ-centered:  No matter what, Jesus is the center of everything a disciple does.

I-Invites others to meet Jesus. A true disciple of Jesus invites others to meet Jesus.

P-Prays for other disciples. That’s love, through and through!

L-Loves at all times. Even when it is hard to do so, a disciple loves other disciples at all times. Love covers sins!

E-Encourages other disciples. If you follow Jesus, you must be an encourager!