Year C. 2nd Term. Lesson 10. Love Languages - Service

 (I repeat : The basic idea for this series come from Gary Chapman’s books on the 5 love Languages. There is a book for married couples and about children. I have taken his principles and turned them into lessons to teach the children how to express love in 5 main ways. I highly recommend these books. Another excellent book is by Ross Campbell “How to really love your child.” He actually helped Gary write the children’s book on love languages. Anyone working with children needs these tools.)

Scripture: for teacher background:  James 2:14-17 Faith and deeds

  John 13:1-17 Jesus demonstrates His love by a beautiful humble act of service.

Luke 10:27-37 The Good Samaritan – Jesus tells a story of how a stranger in need is served.

Making contact:

You could try the exercise of foot washing for this lesson.

Talk about how the children felt.

Discuss what it means to them when someone does something for them. –Giving you a lift somewhere where they didn’t have to take you, or make your bed just because the wanted to serve you or carry some things for you.

 Exploration:

Jesus was having His last meal with His disciples before He died. He knew He was going to get arrested and die.
As they gathered for supper they must have looked at each other and thought things like “I am the oldest and it’s not my place to be the servant around here!” “These smelly feet – do they think I am lower than they? No I will not wash feet!”

How did they feel when their teacher and master got up and washed all their feet?

Then He told them this is how much He loved them and they must carry on this attitude of serving love.

Application

At home we can show the people we live with how much we love them by serving them. I am not talking about being the doormat and letting your big brother or sister order you around all the time, but lovingly just going the extra mile sometimes.

 How about a cup of tea for a tired mom, or offering to do the dishes when it’s not your turn but your sister has a big exam the next day?

You could wash the car and tidy the house and the garden sometimes. If it were your last day to show love to someone, what would you do? We should all live each day as if Jesus was coming back tomorrow.

This love language is about attitude. It is not thinking we are so much better than everyone else and the world owes us a favour, but we appreciate people so much and we want to love them by serving them in a way it really helps them.

Challenge to Mission

How can you serve the community?
How about going on a walk through your area together and just cleaning up the little.

Usually we have to pay for every little thing to be done but maybe you could do a job in the community just for love.

Is there a job at the church you could do? Why don’t you offer? There may be a simple job like clearing leaflets away or packing up books or chairs.
It is so good to have these kinds of kind, helpful children around when working in a school/ church etc.

Consolidation

The worksheet has some examples of service and also has space for the children to fill in their ideas. They can colour all the feet in different colours.

Memory Verse

“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14