There is a lot of noise in our world today. Whether it’s the TV, or traffic, there are moments when we wonder how to rise above the noise so we can be heard. This elementary level Valentine’s Day object lesson will help your children or students to understand what is, and is not, love, and that REAL love rises above all else in a beautiful, noiseless way. Love is always heard.
Scripture focus: 1 Corinthians 13: 1, 4-7 (ICB version)
Materials: Collect different bells, especially loud obnoxious ones (jingle, cow, dinner, door, bicycle, timer, gong, xylophone, even wind chimes!); white board, or piece of paper
Preparation: If you are teaching this lesson at church, or somewhere similar, collect 4-5 different sounding bells. If you are doing this lesson at home, take a “field trip” around your home and have your children ring all the bells they can find.
Valentine’s Day Bible Object Lesson
{Ring all the bells and discuss the sounds with the children. Were some quiet? loud? clangy? annoying? pretty?}
{Ask:}
- Where else might we find bells or sirens? [Allow answers: church steeples, instruments, fire stations, police cars, etc.]
- What is the purpose of bells? [To get our attention]
- How do you sometimes get the attention of your parents? or a friend? [Allow answers: yelling, wave arms back and forth, whistle, etc. You might get an answer such as, misbehave or tease a sibling]
- How do we get the attention of God? [Allow answers; prayer]
- How does God get our attention? [Allow answers; the children might not have an answer.]
We are able to communicate with God by praying to Him. And if we are quiet, He will speak back to us. But the main way God speaks to us is through the Bible.
God tells us many things. One of the things God tells us about is what REAL love is.
{Ask:}
- What are some things that you love? [Allow answers]
- Who are some people whom you love? [Allow answers]
- Do you love things the same way you love people? [Allow answers, should be No.]
- Does God love you? [Yes]
- How do you know? [Allow for answers, but lead them to see that God loves us because He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.]
In 1 Corinthians 13, God tells us what real love is and what it is not. He starts out by telling us that even if we can speak in many languages and do all kinds of good, special things in life, but we do not love, then all we are is a clanging symbol, or a loud obnoxious bell.
{Ring the loudest bell you have. Ask:}
- Is this the way you want to sound to people? [No]
- So how can we show real love to people? [Allow answers]
God gets our attention when we read scripture and we realize we aren’t following it. Let’s see if your answers match what God says how to show love.
{On the board write the words LOVE IS and LOVE IS NOT. As you read 1 Corinthians 13: 1, 4-7, write the correct description words under the matching category.}
LOVE IS = patient, kind, does not remember wrongs, takes no pleasure in evil, rejoices over the truth, trusts, hopes, and is strong
LOVE IS NOT = jealous, brags/boastful, proud, rude, selfish, easily angered
Life Application of Valentine’s Day Bible Lesson
{Ask:}
- Let me ask again, how can we show love to people? [Allow answers and discuss how they are different from the original ones.]
The Bible tells us that our actions are like filthy rags to God.
- Does God want us to do good things for others? [Yes]
God sees why you treat other people as you do. He knows your heart. It’s not the good actions God wants to see, although He likes watching you choose good things to do towards others. Instead, God wants you to have a good heart attitude and have good relationships with people no matter how they treat you.
God tells us that we can do all sorts of great things. But if we don’t have love for other people, then we are nothing. The things we do are nothing. You can feed the poor and sacrifice yourself for a great cause, but if you do not love people then you are nothing. If you do nice things for selfish reasons then that is sin. It does not please God.
Love sounds like it’s pretty important.
It is. Love is everything. The Bible tells us that God is love. If love is everything, then GOD should be everything to us.
God wants you to be kind to people because you love Him, and He loves you.
God wants you to forgive your sister or brother because you love Him, and He loves you.
God wants you to help people because you love Him, and He loves you.
God wants you to be patient with those around you because you love Him, and He loves you.
God wants you to stay away from bad words and thoughts because you love Him, and He loves you.
God wants you to rejoice when you do well on a test because you love Him, and He loves you.
God wants you to say nice words to someone who was mean to you because you love Him, and He loves you.
Do you love God? God loves you. And because He loves you, He sent Jesus to this earth to die on a cross and take your sins away. Love always hopes. That’s because Jesus gives eternal life. Our hope is not in this world, but in heaven with God eternally.
This type of love is not noisy. But God, and other people, will hear this type of strong love loud and clear!
**If you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out Anne Marie’s new book, Walk This Way: Ethics and Sanctification Lessons for Kids. Her book includes 20 interactive object lessons for children K-6th grade that create a fun learning atmosphere while teaching Biblical truth that enhances spiritual growth.**
Anne Marie Gosnell is the author of Walk This Way: Ethics and Sanctification Lessons for Kids. She has a graduate degree in education with a focus on developing curriculum and instruction. Her life journey includes over 25 years (so far!) in Children’s Ministry: Sunday School, Puppetry, Vacation Bible School, Children’s Church, and various outreach ministries. She is the founder of www.futureflyingsaucers.com where she shares creative, engaging resources so parents and teachers can share Jesus without fear.
