Teaching children may be a herculean task if care is not taken. There are ways and methods that teachers of preschoolers and children can use for effective teaching and learning processes. To handle the children effectively in our churches and Christian fellowships, you will need this article, which has been prepared to guide the teachers in preparing the students (preschoolers and children) to learn about love and how to show love in any society they find themselves. You can check more related posts on our Bible teaching page of the site.
Story 1: Love Is the Best Way
Apostle Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ, wrote to encourage the Jewish believers of his time. The Jewish believers were being bullied (an act of showing wickedness to others, especially those who are weak and have less power) by other Jews who were not believers.
They were beaten, made fun of (mocked), and disgraced. The children of God were not happy, and they were about to say Jesus Christ was no longer their friend (Denying their faith in Christ Jesus). Apostle Peter told them to live in love with one another. Then, Peter told the children of God to be friendly (Kind-hearted), caring (compassionate), and humble towards one another.
The best way for them to show all these attributes to one another is by living in love. They must show love to one another. When we live in love, as God’s children, we will always do what is good. We will not say things that are evil to others. We will always seek to live in peace with others. When we show love to others, we also show love to God. God will be happy with us and bless us greatly.
Practical Ways of Teaching the Topic
Teaching Aids
Teaching aids are instructional materials used to improve the effectiveness of the lessons. Some of them are The Bible, cardboard, markers, pencils, sellotape, crayons and scissors, a big carton and many small cartons of various sizes, pictures showing various actions of love, video clips, a song that is related to the topic, and musical instruments, pictures of different groups, tribes, races and countries of the world, alphabet puzzle and toys.
Presentation Guides
These are steps to take to disseminate the instructional lessons. They will be done in sequential order.
Step 1
Teachers should guide the children to cut out different shapes from the cardboard. They are to write about different loving behaviours they have witnessed on the shaped cardboard. They are to use the cardboard as flashcards on loving behaviours.
Step 2
Teachers should write the topic for today on the big carton. The children will pick out the small cartons on which the teacher has written: LOVING OTHERS IS THE BEST WAY TO SHOW MY LOVE TO GOD, paint and arrange them appropriately.
Step 3
Teachers will make a picture from today’s text. Allow the children to interpret the pictures while guiding them on the lessons from the text.
Step 4
Teachers should show a video clip or animation in which younger children are being bullied by others, and another video clip where children show love to one another. Divide the children into groups and ask them to say what is going on in each video clip and the lessons learnt.
Step 5
Teachers should teach them the song, “Let There Be Love Shared Among Us.”
Step 6
Teachers know that God created us differently and wants us to love one another despite our differences.
Step 7
Teachers should guide the children to use the alphabet puzzle to arrange today’s topic and explain the lesson.
Evaluative Questions
This is to assess the students (children) through the questions to know whether the objectives of the lesson have been achieved.
- Mention three unloving behaviours.
- How do we show love to God?
- Mention two acts of love towards others.
- How can you help those who are being bullied?
- What are the rewards of loving others?
- Mention the countries of the world you know.
- Mention two ways you will show love to others this week.
Story 2: A Love Like No Other
Today, we are learning about the love of God for us. God’s love is true, genuine, and special. (Allow the children to mention the ways people show love to others). God’s love differs from every other kind of love because only His love grants us freedom from sin and eternal separation from God.
In the garden, man made a wrong choice to sin against God by disobeying His commandments. And for every wrong choice, there is punishment; their bad choice resulted in death and separation from God. But because of God’s love, He sent His only Son into the world to give us life through Him. God did not wait for us to become good before He showed His love.
God knows that we do not have the power to do what is good and pleasing to Him by our strength. So, He sent Jesus to come and die in our place and take away our sins, though we did not deserve what Jesus did for us.
True love is indeed God’s love for us, not our love for God. God’s love is shown to all, but you need to believe and trust in God’s love for you. God loves you, and He also wants the best for you. God is always with you and on your side.
Practical Ways of Teaching the Topic
Teaching Aids
Teaching aids are instructional materials used to improve the effectiveness of the lessons. The instructional materials include The Bible, cardboard, markers, pencils, sellotape, crayons and scissors, pictures showing various actions of love, video clips, a song that is related to the topic, and musical instruments, biscuits, sweets, clapping hands, tambourines, flowers, sand, fruits, clouds, and water.r
Presentation Guides
These are steps to take to disseminate the instructional lessons. They will be done in sequential order.
Step 1
Teachers are to guide the children to place their hands on a plain sheet and trace it. Knee and put your hands together to ask for forgiveness of sin. Use it to teach the children that when they pray to God, they will receive forgiveness of sins.
Step 2
Teachers should make two columns on the board labelled. ‘Good Choices’ and ” ‘Bad Choices.’ Ask the children for ideas of both concepts and write their answers on the board.
Step 3
Teachers should pass out paper and writing utensils. Instruct the children to write an apology letter to someone they have wronged.
Step 4
Teachers should make a list with the children of what they can do to show love to their family members, friends, etc.
Step 5
Teachers should lead the children to sing, ‘Jesus loves me, yes, I know…’
Step 6
Teachers should lead the children outside to observe things God created. Lead them to appreciate God for His creations by singing praises to Him.
Step 7
Write A-Z 2/x on cardboard, cut it into pieces, and disorganise it. Ask the children to arrange the pieces to form ‘GOD LOVES ME ALWAYS.’
Evaluative Questions
This is to assess the students (children) through the questions to know whether the objectives of the lesson have been achieved.
- Who forgives all sins?
- Mention the results of good and bad choices.
- How can you live peacefully with someone you offended?
- Mention ways to show love to your family members and friends.
- Where can you learn more about the love of God?
- God created all things for us to enjoy because of His — for us. How do you know God loves you always?
Story 3: Jesus Loves Us Always
A man, whose name was Simon, invited Jesus to come and eat with Him in his house. A woman who had lived a sinful life in that town heard about it, came there and started crying while kneeling at Jesus’ feet, and she used her hair to wipe Jesus’ feet. After she had used her hair to wipe His feet, she brought out a costly oil and anointed Jesus’ feet.
But Simon, who had invited Jesus, was thinking in his heart that if Jesus was a true prophet, He would have known that such a woman was a sinner. Jesus knew what Simon was thinking in his heart, so He turned to him and said, “Two men owed someone money, but the other owed little money.
The person they were owing said they should not back,” then Jesus asked Simon, “Who will be happier between the two of them?”
Simon replied that the man who owed money, then Jesus said he was correct. Then, He told the woman that her sins had been forgiven because her faith in Him had saved her. Hence, many people were surprised that Jesus had the power to forgive sins. Therefore, Jesus loves everyone equally.
Practical Ways of Teaching the Topic
Teaching Aids
Teaching aids are instructional materials used to improve the effectiveness of the lessons. Some of them are The Bible, cardboard, markers, pencils, pens, sellotape, crayons and scissors, a picture of Jesus at the table with some people and a woman kneeling beside Him.
A big carton and many small cartons of various sizes, pictures showing various actions of love, video clips, wrapping sheets, plain sheets and a picture book that can be taken out. It depicts the story of Jesus sitting with people while eating. And a woman using her hair to wipe Jesus’ feet, a song that is related to the topic, and musical instruments, pictures of different groups, take the children on a tour, toys and puzzles relating to the topic.
Presentation Guides
These are steps to take to disseminate the instructional lessons. They will be done in sequential order.
Step 1
Teachers should guide the children to cut the picture of Jesus Christ sitting with Simon and the disciples, and the sinful woman kneeling, and paste it on the wall, while the older children will cut it out themselves and do likewise. Then, use it to teach the lesson and also lead them to pray for their friends who are having challenges.
Step 2
Teachers should wrap the big carton and write the topic for today on it. The children will pick out the small cartons on which the teacher has written: JESUS LOVES US ALWAYS. Paint and arrange them appropriately.
Step 3
Teachers should show the younger children the picture book. Divide the older children into groups and ask each group to cut out the pictures of Jesus, the people sitting with Him, and the woma. The woman should help them make a picture album and ask them to retell the story and the lessons learned.
Step 4
Teachers should divide the children into two groups and give a person a role to play, then allow the children to act out the playlet. Then use it to teach that JESUS IS ALWAYS READY TO FORGIVE YOU BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU AND DOES NOT WANT YOU TO DIE IN SIN.
Step 5
Teachers should teach the children the song: “JESUS LOVES, THIS I KNOW, FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO…or any song that is in line with the topic.
Step 6
Teachers should show them the creation of God (animals, fruits, vegetables, water, etc) and give the children plain sheets of paper to draw their favourite out of the items and colours. Use it to teach the lesson about how God loves us and makes everything available without hating anyone, even the sinful woman was not hated.
Step 7
Teachers should write the Repeat and Recall Verse on a big cardboard sheet. Cut the cardboard into four or five pieces and then shuffle it. Then, let the children rearrange it again, as many times as possible. Teach them all of these, as Jesus taught them how to love everyone, especially the neglected ones.
Evaluative Questions
This is to assess the students (children) through the questions to know whether the objectives of the lesson have been achieved.
- Who invited Jesus to his house?
- Did Jesus show love to the sinful woman?
- What did the woman do for Jesus?
- How did Jesus reply to Simon?
- How did Jesus show love to the sinful woman, and how can you show love to your friends?
- Does Jesus love sinners?
- Who has the power to forgive sins?
