Leader Guide

Teaching

Have a child select the first Signpost card and read it aloud. Tape the card to the wall or prop it up so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the two remaining Signpost cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Signpost 1 Who Should We Love?

Jesus taught us about love—who, how and why we should love. The expert in the law asked Jesus who his neighbor was. He expected Jesus to say that his neighbors were the people who lived near him or were like him. Instead, Jesus answered by telling a parable about a Samaritan, an enemy of the Jewish people. Jesus said that we must love even our enemies, not just our friends and those who are kind to us.

God showed us this kind of love by loving us even when we were disobedient. God sent Jesus to die for us so that we could have peace with God.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 5:44 (nkjv):

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Romans 5:10a (cev):

Even when we were God’s enemies, He made peace with us, because His Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by His Son’s life.

Signpost 2 How Should We Love?

Jesus didn’t stop after showing us who we must love; He told us how we should love them. Love is greater than just a feeling or emotion. Jesus said that we are to love God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind. In other words, with everything we have! Plus, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. That is not always easy. It is a sacrificial love where we give ourselves to each other. He said there was no greater love than to lay down your life for a friend! Jesus demonstrated that kind of love when He sacrificed His own life on the cross and died for our sins. By sending Jesus, God shows us how much He loves us and gave us a way to live with Him in heaven forever. All we need to do is believe in Jesus!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Matthew 22:37:

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”

John 15:13:

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 3:16 (nkjv):

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Romans 5:8:

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Signpost 3 Why Should We Love?

So, we know who and how we should love. Our third Signpost is why. Why do we need to love others as God does? Because when we do, we reflect God’s love, and others will take notice. We point them to God! Jesus said that people will know we are His disciples by our love for one another. God gave us an example of this kind of active, strong love. Love comes from God, and God is love! We love because He loved us first. When we love as God loves, it shows that we have been born again and have new life in Him! We are called to reflect God’s powerful and sacrificial love to our neighbors. Who is our neighbor? Everyone!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

John 13:35 (cev):

“If you love each other, everyone will know that you are My disciples.”

1 John 4:7 (cev):

My dear friends, we must love each other. Love comes from God, and when we love each other, it shows that we have been given new life. We are now God’s children, and we know Him.

1 John 4:16:

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

1 John 4:19:

We love each other because He loved us first.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give the Golden Rule Pattern to children who missed the previous lessons so they may assemble their crafts at home. They can use the pattern to engage in the discussion today.

Did you remember to discuss the Lesson 2 situations on your Golden Rule Card at home?

If time allows, lead a discussion about the two scenarios using the questions below:

2A) Your teammate always gets to start the game instead of you. When getting on the bus for a game, you notice that he has forgotten his game shoes by the locker.

Why would it be tempting not to tell your him that he forgot his shoes?

How would you want to be treated if you were in his place?

2B) A wealthy girl at school is always arrogant and rude to everyone. She falls on the playground, hurts her leg, and is crying. Everyone laughs and walks away.

What would be a tempting response?

How would you like to be treated?

What are some other answers you came up with in your home discussion?

Continue with the Lesson 3 Golden Rule Card questions, and continue looking for opportunities to be kind and generous to others.