Week 1: Love

(Refer to Galatians 5:22 for scripture reference to the fruits of the Holy Spirit)


Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7


Reflections:
Day 1 - Love is patient and kind.
   When you're playing with a sibling or friend, take turns. Loving them means  waiting for their turn without whining or complaining.
   What does patient mean? Who is someone you play with? How can you be patient and kind to them?

Day 2 - Love is not jealous, does not boast, is not proud.
   Be happy with what you have. If someone has a toy that you would like to play with, instead of wishing you could have it, be happy that they are enjoying it. When you have toy that someone else wants, play with it quietly instead of showing them that you have it and they don't.
   What are some fun things you did today? Remember to be thankful for these instead of wanting more.

Day 3 - Love is not rude, not self-seeking
   God wants us to think of other people, not just ourselves. If there is one cookie left, instead of taking it for yourself, ask if someone wants to share it with you.
   Think of something special you can do for someone else.

Day 4 - Love is not easily angered, love keeps no records of wrongs.
   Forgive and forget. If someone hurts you, it's easy to stay mad at them. But God wants us to love. When someone hurts us, we should forgive them. When they say, "I'm sorry." We say, "It's ok, I forgive you." Then forget it ever happened. Then our hearts can be full of love, not anger.
   Who hurt you today that you need to forgive? Do you need to ask for someone's forgiveness?

Day 5 - Love does not rejoice over wrong doing, but rejoices in the truth
   Be glad when others do good things. When someone is miss-behaving we shouldn't laugh, because that encourages them to keep miss-behaving.
   Tell of a time when you were happy someone was miss-behaving. What should you have done instead?
              
Day 6 - Love bears all things, believes all things
   When you trust someone, you believe what they say and you know it's true. We trust the people we love and they trust us too. We must try to always tell the truth and be honest with the people we love to keep their trust.

Day 7 - Love hopes all things, endures all things
   Love is unconditional, that means, 'I love you, always, no matter what.' God loves us unconditionally. No matter what we do, God will still love us and wants us to love Him too.

Question for Fruit: Who do you love? (Write name on fruit and attach to tree.)

Prayer:
   Jesus, these are people we love. Bless them and protect them. Keep them close to your heart. Amen.
(Children can add their own prayers for their loved ones.)