In this lesson, children learn that God wants us to love other people, follow the rules of the people who look after us, and live as people who belong to the light. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach. You can use it with a small group at church or with your own kids at the kitchen table.
Big Idea
God wants us to love our neighbors and to be kind and honest, because love is how we show that we belong to Him.
Memory Verse
Romans 13:10
Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
(WEB)
Teach the children to cross their arms over their chest like a hug, then open their arms wide and say “Love!” Repeat it three times together, and let the children hug themselves each time they say it.
The Story: Romans 13 for Kids
A long time ago, a man named Paul wrote a letter to the friends in the city of Rome. These friends loved Jesus, and they wanted to know how to live well every day. Paul wanted them to know that God is the One who puts leaders in charge of the world. Leaders are meant to help people do good things.
Paul told the friends to pay what they owed. If they owed taxes, they should pay them. If they owed respect, they should give respect. Paul was teaching that being fair and honest is a way of loving others. It is like keeping your promise to share your toys with your little brother.
Then Paul said something very important. He said that people should not owe anyone anything except love. Love is the best rule of all. When you love your neighbor, you do not hurt them, you do not lie to them, and you do not take what is theirs. Paul said that love fills up all the rules God gave His people.
Paul also told the friends that the day was getting closer. He said, “The night is far gone, and the day is near.” He wanted them to wake up and live like people who belong to the light. He told them to say no to things that are dark and hurtful, like fighting, jealousy, and being mean. Instead, they should put on the Lord Jesus, which means they should become more like Him every day.
Read It Together
Romans 13:1
Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
(WEB)
Point out that Paul says God is the One who gives authority. Explain to the children that parents, teachers, and other leaders are people God uses to help take care of us. Ask them to name a few people who help take care of them each day.
Romans 13:8-9
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
(WEB)
Show the children that love is the thing that keeps us from hurting each other. Have them name a few commandments, like not stealing or not lying, and point out how each one is a way of loving a neighbor. Help them see that loving someone means treating them the way we want to be treated.
Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
(WEB)
Explain that putting on Jesus is like wearing His love and choosing to act like Him. Ask the children what they think it looks like to put on Jesus at school or at home. Let them share a simple idea or two before you move on.
Talk About It
- What is one way you can show love to someone in your family this week?
- Who are some people God has put in charge to help take care of us, and how can we thank them?
- When is it hard to be honest, and what can help us keep doing the right thing?
- What did Paul mean when he said love is the best rule we can follow?
- What is something dark or mean that we can choose not to do, and what can we do instead?
Activity Ideas
Paper Heart Chain
Give each child a few sheets of colored paper, scissors, and crayons. Have them draw a heart on each sheet and write the name of someone they want to love this week. Tape the hearts together in a chain and hang it up in the room as a reminder that love connects us to our neighbors.
Follow the Leader Walk
Play a simple game where one child leads the group in a walking motion, like tiptoeing or hopping, and everyone follows carefully and kindly. Stop after a minute and talk about how following good leaders helps us stay safe and do what is right. Switch leaders a few times so each child gets a turn.
Love Your Neighbor Card
Give each child an index card, a pencil, and a marker. Ask them to write one loving action they can do for a family member, such as making a bed or saying thank you, and then decorate the card. Let them take it home and place it somewhere they will see it each morning as a simple reminder to live in the light.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Romans 13 teaches that God has given governing authority for good, that Christians should pay what they owe and honor those due honor, and that love fulfills the whole law. Paul frames ordinary faithfulness as living in the light while the day of Christ draws near. Adults can see that love is the motivating center of Christian ethics, shaping how we relate to neighbors, institutions, and daily duties.
Avoid overstating to children that every authority figure is always right or that obeying leaders is never complicated. Children may have real experiences of unfair or unsafe authority, so help them understand that they can always tell a trusted adult when something is wrong.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for loving us and for giving us people to help take care of us. Help us to love our neighbors, to be honest, and to do what is good. Help us to put on Jesus every day and walk in the light. Amen.
