Understanding God's Love for the World
Reading:
"Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing us together as a family to learn about Your love. Open our hearts and minds to understand how You see the world and how we can be a light in it. Amen."
Scripture Reading
John 3:16-21 (NIV)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."
Discussion Questions
- What do you think it means that God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son?
- How can we show love to people around us in the way that God loves us?
- What are some ways we might choose darkness over light in our daily lives?
- Why do you think people sometimes are afraid to come into the light?
Reflection
- For Young Children: Explain in simple terms why it’s important to love others as God loves us. Use examples like being kind and helping friends in need.
- For Older Children: Talk about how God loves everyone, even when they make mistakes. Discuss what it means to be a light in their school or neighborhood. Ask them to think about a time they chose to do the right thing even when it was hard, and how that might have shown God's love to others.
- For Teens: Discuss the challenges they face in living according to the truth and stepping into the light, especially in a world that often is drawn to darkness.
Activity
- Gather a flashlight and some objects that can create shadows (e.g., small toys or hands).
- Turn off the lights in a room and have each family member take turns shining the flashlight and making shadows.
- Discuss how the light reveals things that are hidden in the dark and how this relates to God’s truth shining into our lives.
Activity
Ask each family member to mention a person in their life who they feel may be in need of God’s love and light. Pray together for each of these people.
"Lord, thank You for loving us even when we don’t deserve it. Help us to be a light to (name of person) and guide them with Your love. Amen."
"Lord, thank You for loving us even when we don’t deserve it. Help us to be a light to (name of person) and guide them with Your love. Amen."
Takeaway
Encourage each family member to think of one practical way to show love to someone this week. It could be a kind word, helping with chores, or sharing something about their faith.
Closing Prayer
"Lord, thank You for teaching us about Your incredible love. Help us to share this love with others and be a light in the darkness. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen."