Week #6 Character Development - Love, Day #36

Love

“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.” – John 3:16

Normally, I like to get my definition from an online reference dictionary, but I found their definition empty (a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection). So, I turned to the Biblical definition.

love[luhv] “The Greek language (the language of the New Testament) uses two different words to describe and define love. The most commonly used Greek word translated “love” in the New Testament is “agape.” This love is represented by God’s love for us. It is a non-partial, sacrificial love probably best exemplified by God’s provision for our rebellion.” That can be contrasted with a love more familiar with our society. “Our love is usually conditional and based upon how other people behave toward us. This kind of love is based upon familiarity and direct interaction. The Greek word “phileo” defines this kind of love, often translated “brotherly love.” Phileo is a soulish (connected through our emotions) kind of love.” Agape love is the kind of love we will be celebrating this Valentine’s Day.

Reason Chosen: It’s Valentine Week on my blog. Love is also central to everything we believe. This is what Mark 12: 25-31 says, “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” These two commands is what our faith is based upon, so that is what we teach our kids.

Word Ring

At the beginning of each week, the craft will be exactly the same because we will simply be adding a new word to our already established word ring.

Materials Needed
* Stock Card Paper (I had a whole stack like this – found at any craft store)
* Assorted Sticker Letters (I just bought a bunch on clearance at Michael’s)
* Binder Clips (Craft Store)
* Paper Cutter
* Hole Punch

The girls chose a paper style they thought would look good with the letters they chose. We then I helped them sound out “love.” They took turns finding the letters we needed and sticking them on the paper…they’re kids – the letters will not be stuck on perfect. I then cut the paper to the same size as the paper from last week. We punched a hole in the corner and stuck it on our binding clip. Each week, a new word will be added to the clip in similar fashion. I then wrote the Bible verse on the back. If your kids are older, have them do it themselves. We’ll spend this week learning the word, meaning and memorizing the scripture.