This lesson teaches children that nothing can separate them from God’s love, and it suits ages 5 to 11. Plan for 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the reading and one activity.
Big Idea
God loves us so much that nothing in the whole world can ever pull us away from Him. We belong to Him, and He stays close even when things are hard.
Memory Verse
Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from God’s love, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(WEB)
Have the children hold both hands out in front of their chests, then slowly push them apart as they say the words. Pull them back together with a hug at the end to show that God’s love holds us close.
The Story: Romans 8 for Kids
A man named Paul wrote a long letter to friends in the city of Rome. These friends had put their trust in Jesus, and they were working hard to follow Him. Paul wanted them to know a wonderful truth about how God treats His children.
Paul told them that living God’s way means following His Spirit, the Holy Spirit who lives inside every believer. When we listen to God’s Spirit, we belong to God’s family. Paul said, “We are God’s children.” Those were some of the most important words he could share with them.
Paul also talked about sadness and trouble. Sometimes people suffer, and that is hard. But Paul said that the good things God has planned for us are bigger than any pain we feel now. He even said that when we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit helps us and prays for us.
Next, Paul looked up at the sky and the world around him. He said that all of creation is waiting and hoping for the day when God makes everything new. Even the trees, the fields and the animals are part of that great hope.
Then Paul asked a big question out loud: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” He reminded his friends that God gave His own Son Jesus for them. Paul was sure that nothing could ever separate them from God’s love.
Read It Together
Romans 8:15-16
15 For you didn’t receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God…
(WEB)
Point out that God’s children are not afraid like slaves who are scared of a harsh master. Explain that we get to call God “Father,” and that the Holy Spirit reminds us that we are His children.
Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
(WEB)
Show the children that God can bring good out of hard things. Ask them to name a time when something hard turned out to help them learn something good.
Romans 8:31-32
31 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?
(WEB)
Remind the children that God gave up His own Son because He loves us. Point out that this shows God is always for us, on our side and ready to help.
Talk About It
- What is a word that describes how you feel when you know someone loves you very much?
- Who is someone who helps you when you feel scared or sad?
- What do you think it means to be part of God’s family?
- When you don’t know what to say to God, what can you do?
- What is one thing that you think could never separate you from God’s love?
Activity Ideas
Paper Chain of Love
You will need strips of colored paper, tape or glue, and crayons or markers. Have each child write a name of someone they love on a strip, then loop the strips together into a chain. Explain that the chain shows how God’s love links us all together, and that nothing can break it apart.
Hand Hug Freeze Game
Play a simple game of freeze tag in an open space. When the leader calls out “Romans 8:39,” the children freeze, cross their arms over their chests in a hug and say the memory verse. Then the leader calls out “Go!” and the children run again. Keep it short so younger children stay focused.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need index cards or paper cut into squares, a pen, and a small pocket or envelope. Write the memory verse on each card and let the children decorate it with drawings. Encourage them to put it in a pocket or on their bedside table, and to read it aloud at bedtime each night.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is one of the strongest statements of assurance in the New Testament. Paul moves from our new life in the Spirit, to our adoption as God’s children, to the hope of final glory, and then to the certainty that God’s love in Christ cannot be lost. Children can grasp the heart of this even though the full argument is deep.
Avoid suggesting to children that God’s love depends on how well they behave or on how strongly they feel. Paul’s point is that God’s love is secure because of what Christ has done, not because of anything we achieve. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness rather than on promises of a trouble-free life.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us so much. We know that nothing can separate us from Your love. Help us to remember that we are Your children and that You are always with us. Amen.
