The most important commandment
Children's Activity
Object:
Teachers or Parents: Love is the fulfilling of the law says
the Lord Jesus Christ. Keeping the commandments means nothing
apart from the love of God. Some of the most hateful people can
do an excellent job of keeping the Ten Commandments. Does that
rule out the usefulness of the Commandments? Of course not!
*Teach the children the Ten Commandments. Memorize them. While teaching them the commands, relate each command to love. For example, we do not worship other gods because we love God first and foremost. We honor our parents and others in authority because of our love for others. We do not kill or speak ill of others because of our love for them.
*It is not wise to teach the law apart from the grace of God. Explain that no matter how hard we try to love and keep the Ten Commandments, we fail. An example might be the command not to kill. Ask: "Have any of you ever killed another?" (Let them answer.) "I'm sure you have not murdered someone. But have you ever said something very unkind? That is a form of murder. So even if we think we have not broken this commandment, we know we have!"
For our breaking of this and other commandments (sin), we confess to God and God forgives us. God gives us a chance to love again.
*Relate today's Gospel lesson to the epistle lesson and how Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy loved the Thessalonians and gave themselves to that congregation. Love is giving oneself away.
*Explore within your congregation people who give themselves away because of their love for God and their love for others. Role models are especially appropriate for children. Every congregation has them and they are usually silent saints who quietly give themselves away in service to the Lord and others. You'll find them on the altar guild, on the church board, in the choir, teaching Sunday school, and ushering. Ask the children for examples.
*Teach the children the Ten Commandments. Memorize them. While teaching them the commands, relate each command to love. For example, we do not worship other gods because we love God first and foremost. We honor our parents and others in authority because of our love for others. We do not kill or speak ill of others because of our love for them.
*It is not wise to teach the law apart from the grace of God. Explain that no matter how hard we try to love and keep the Ten Commandments, we fail. An example might be the command not to kill. Ask: "Have any of you ever killed another?" (Let them answer.) "I'm sure you have not murdered someone. But have you ever said something very unkind? That is a form of murder. So even if we think we have not broken this commandment, we know we have!"
For our breaking of this and other commandments (sin), we confess to God and God forgives us. God gives us a chance to love again.
*Relate today's Gospel lesson to the epistle lesson and how Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy loved the Thessalonians and gave themselves to that congregation. Love is giving oneself away.
*Explore within your congregation people who give themselves away because of their love for God and their love for others. Role models are especially appropriate for children. Every congregation has them and they are usually silent saints who quietly give themselves away in service to the Lord and others. You'll find them on the altar guild, on the church board, in the choir, teaching Sunday school, and ushering. Ask the children for examples.
