This lesson teaches children that love matters more than anything else we can do, and that God gives us love so we can show it to others every day. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God wants us to love other people the way He loves us, because love is more important than being clever, strong, or generous with things. Love is the best thing we can share.
Memory Verse
1 Corinthians 13:13
But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.
(WEB)
Have children cross their arms over their hearts and lift them up to the sky as they say the last words together. Then have them give a small hug to the person beside them. Repeat it three times so the words stick.
The Story: 1 Corinthians 13 for Kids
A long time ago, a man named Paul wrote a letter to the church in the city of Corinth. The people there were proud of their gifts. Some could speak in many languages, some could share special messages from God, and some gave away lots of money. But Paul saw that they were forgetting something very important.
Paul wanted them to know that all of these gifts meant nothing without love. He said that if someone could talk like an angel but did not love people, their words would sound like a loud clanging cymbal. Nobody wants to hear that kind of noise. Love is what makes our words and actions good.
So Paul described what love looks like. Love is patient when someone is slow to understand. Love is kind when someone is hard to be around. Love does not brag or show off. Love does not get jealous when good things happen to someone else. Love helps others, even when it is hard.
Paul also told them that love lasts forever. Gifts like speaking languages will someday end, but love will always remain. He said that right now we see God only a little, like looking into a dim mirror, but one day we will see Him clearly, face to face. Paul ended by reminding them that faith, hope, and love remain, and the greatest of these is love.
Read It Together
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
4 Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, 5 doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil…
(WEB)
Point out the words patient, kind, and not rude. Ask children to act out one of these words with a partner, such as sharing a toy or waiting their turn in line. Show how love looks like everyday actions.
1 Corinthians 13:7
Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(WEB)
Read this verse slowly and point out how love keeps going through hard times. Explain that love trusts, hopes, and keeps caring, even when it is difficult. Ask children to name a time when they kept being kind even when they felt grumpy.
1 Corinthians 13:11
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.
(WEB)
Point out that Paul compared growing up to learning to love well. Explain that just as we grow from babies into big kids, we keep growing in how we love others. Encourage children to see every day as a chance to grow.
Talk About It
- What is one way you can show patience to someone in your family this week?
- Why do you think being kind is sometimes hard, and what helps you be kind anyway?
- How can you tell when someone is showing love to you?
- What is a gift you have that you can use to love someone else?
- Why do you think love is more important than being really good at something?
Activity Ideas
Love Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a large heart and write one loving action inside, such as helping with dishes or saying thank you. Let them color it in, then tape it to the fridge or a bedroom door as a reminder.
Patient Passing Game
You will need a soft ball and a group of children sitting in a circle. Pass the ball slowly and kindly, and have each child say one kind word before passing it on. If someone drops the ball, the group cheers them on with patience instead of teasing.
Love Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper slips, and a pen. Each day, have your child write one loving thing they did for someone and drop it into the jar. At the end of the week, read the notes together and talk about how love grew in your home.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a reminder that spiritual gifts, knowledge, and even great sacrifice are empty without love. Paul is correcting a church that was using its gifts to look impressive rather than to serve one another. Love is shown in daily patience, kindness, and humility toward people who may be difficult to love.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that love means never feeling angry or sad. Children may think they are failing if they have hard feelings. Instead, explain that love is a choice to care and act kindly even when emotions are mixed.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us so much. Help us to be patient and kind to our family and friends. Teach us that love is the most important thing we can share, and help us grow in love every day. Amen.
