Fruits of The Spirit - Love

Opening Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

• The fruits of the spirit should be your character. When you are keeping all of the fruits of the spirits you are not in sin. 

Theme: Love is keeping the commandments.

Lesson: Love is not just words or feelings. It's an action. When you have love, you keep the commandments no matter what your emotional state of mind is.

📖John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

📖1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

📖2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

Ask child: According to these verses what is love?

Love means nothing if there is no application  behind it. We show God we love him by doing what he says. The words in the Bible are not a suggestion but a commandment.

Discussion: When must we keep the commandments?

Happy? Keep the commandments

Sad? Keep the commandments

Tired? Keep the commandments

Angry? Keep the commandments

Scared? Keep the commandments

No one watching? Keep the commandments

📖Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

• Along with fearing God, it is our job to keep the commandments despite our feelings.

📖Biblical Examples

• Noah ( Genesis 6) - He obeyed even when it didn’t make sense. Love is obeying because God said so. It had never rained like this before. People laughed at him and it took him years to build the ark. Would you have kept building the boat if people were making fun of you and laughing?

• Joseph (Genesis 39) - No one would have known Joseph sinned but he held tight to his integrity. Love is choosing to do the right thing even when it easier/ you are tempted to sin. Would you do right even when no one is watching?

• Daniel (Daniel 6) - Daniel obeyed when pressured. It became illegal to pray. He knew he could be punished but still chose to pray knowing it is a commandment. Love is obeying even when there will be bad consequences. Would you still obey God even if you could get in trouble by mans eyes?

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3) - They were told to bow down to an idol or else they would die. They refused to disobey God. Love is obeying even when faced with death. Would you stand for God if everyone else bowed?

• King Saul (1 Samuel 15) - Saul partially obeyed God. Partial obedience is still disobedience. Choosing which laws you want to keep is not love. Saul knew what God said but was afraid of the people so he disobeyed. Do you choose not to keep the commandments because of what others may think?

• Jonah (Jonah 1) - God told Jonah to go preach the word in Ninevah. He didn’t feel like it so he ran the opposite way. Do you ignore instructions when you don’t feel like doing them?

  
  

  Talking Point: Who showed obedience and who was driven by their feelings? Feelings change, but God’s commandments do not change. If you follow your feelings, you can fall into sin. When you keep the commandments, that is how you show God that you love him.

📌Activity 1: Emotion or Obedience

Give your child the following scenarios. If they are being led by emotions have them fake cry. If they are being led by obedience have them yell out obey. Feel free to make up your own scenarios as well.

• I obey even when I don’t feel like it.

• I feel like lying but I tell the truth.

• I sometimes ignore what I’m told.

• I try to fix my mistakes.

• My friends are doing wrong so I join them.

• I say no even I lose friends.

• I blame someone for something I did.

📌Activity 2: Emotion or Obedience Cut and Paste (Click Here)

Help them see: Feelings often say: “Do what’s easy " but God says: “Do what’s right”. Have them say "I don't follow my feelings, I follow God."

📌Activity 3: Coloring Sheets

• Prophet Love Coloring Sheet

• Princess Love Coloring Sheet

• Prophet Emotions vs Obedience Coloring Sheet

• Princess Emotions vs Obedience Coloring Sheet

Reflection Section

Have them write:

1. What commandment do I struggle with most?

2. What is one area I am disobedient in?

3. What will I do this week to show God love through obedience?

4. Can someone love God and live in sin?

Memory Verse Challenge:

📖John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments

Closing Message: Love is NOT what you say. Love is NOT what you feel. Love is what you DO. You are not always going to feel like doing what is right. Love is choosing to obey God even when your feelings say don’t. If you love God…you will obey him and keep his commandments.

📌Love Printable Definition Sign