This lesson teaches children that God gives us helpers like leaders and parents, and that the way we show love to everyone is by doing what is good. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God wants us to do good and love the people around us, and that is how we live as children of the light.
Memory Verse
Romans 13:10
Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
(WEB)
Hold your hands together over your heart, then open them wide like a hug. As you say the verse, make the hug motion each time you say the word “love.” Ask the children to do it with you two or three times.
The Story: Romans 13 for Kids
Long ago, the apostle Paul wrote a letter to the friends in the city of Rome. Those friends were followers of Jesus, and they lived in a big city with many leaders and rulers. Paul wanted them to know that God is the one who gives leaders their jobs. Good leaders help people, and God wants us to respect them.
Paul also told them about taxes. Some people had to pay money to the government, and Paul said they should pay what they owe. He said we should give everyone what we owe them, whether it is money or respect. Paying what we owe is one way we show we are honest and kind.
Then Paul gave them the most important command of all. He said that we should owe no one anything, except to love one another. Think of it like this: if you love your neighbor, you will not hurt them, steal from them, or lie to them. Love keeps all the rules of God in one simple idea.
Paul finished his letter with a picture of light and darkness. He told his friends that the night was almost over and the day was coming. He said they should take off the things that belong to the dark, like anger and selfishness, and put on the light. He wanted them to live like it is daytime, showing God’s goodness to everyone they met.
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 God is the one who gives authority to leaders. Explain that this verse is about respecting the people who help take care of us, like teachers, police officers, and parents, and that they are part of how God takes care of people.
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 Paul is talking about paying back what we owe and loving our neighbors. Ask them to name a neighbor, classmate, or family member they can show love to this week, and point out how loving others keeps us from hurting them.
Romans 13:12-13
12 The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.
(WEB)
Use a flashlight in a dim room to show what it means to walk in the light. Explain that living in the light means choosing kind words, honest actions, and gentle hearts instead of things that hurt others or make us act foolishly.
Talk About It
- What is one way you can show love to someone in your family this week?
- Why do you think God wants us to respect the people who help lead and take care of us?
- What does it mean to you to owe someone something, and how can you pay it back?
- What are some things that happen when we act like it is still night instead of day?
- How does loving our neighbors help us keep God’s rules without having to remember every single one?
Activity Ideas
Light and Dark Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a flashlight. Have each child draw a picture of a person doing something kind, then cover half the paper with black crayon to show darkness. Shine the flashlight on the picture and talk about how their kind action shines brightly in the light.
Love Your Neighbor Tag
Play a game of tag where the child who is “it” must tag someone and then give them a kind compliment before they can run away. Keep the game moving for about five minutes. After the game, talk about how loving our neighbors can be fun and easy to do.
Take-Home Hug Card
Give each child a sheet of paper folded in half, a pencil, and some stickers. Ask them to write “I owe you love” on the front and draw a picture of something they will do for a family member on the inside. Encourage them to give the card to that person before the end of the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage shows that God works through governments and leaders to keep order and do good. It also teaches that love is the fulfillment of God’s law, so our relationships with others reflect our relationship with God. Paul’s call to live in the light is a reminder that our daily choices matter for the people around us.
Be careful not to suggest to children that obeying authorities means never questioning wrong. Keep the focus on respect and love, and avoid implying that God approves of every leader or action. Stay with what the text says about doing good and loving neighbors.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for giving us helpers and leaders who take care of us. Help us do what is good and pay back what we owe with honesty and kindness. Teach us to love our neighbors every day and to walk in your light. Help us put away anything that hurts others, and fill us with your love. Amen.
