Loving One Another

When we hear the command of Jesus to love one another I wonder who immediately comes to our mind. In our cells we may have many struggles and many joys as we, by the power of the Holy Spirit live out our lives in small communities loving one another.

As I talk to many adults I find that they take this command and apply it to their peers (and so we should!) but there is a dynamic that can get overlooked. When Jesus told us to love one another this was an inclusive command it was a command that included every generation. He could have said, "Love the elderly, love the teenagers, love the children, love those of your own age group. Love one another!"

Matthew 18 takes this command further for Jesus said "in as much as you have done it to one of these little ones you have done it unto Me" As we love a little one. So we have loved Jesus! As we have not loved one of those little ones so we have not loved Jesus.

So how can we love each generation who is in the kingdom with us? I know only one answer! By allowing Him to love through us. In other words by getting out of the way! I have seen many times the awesome change that can takes place when I have cried out for love for a child, or an adult, and asked for the love of the Father. There always comes a time later when I become aware of a growing bond between the child and myself, my immediate reaction is to marvel at how they have changed… until I remember my prayer! The Father is loving them and using me to express His love!

Loving one another in families

Take time this week to find some creative ways to show each other how much you love each other. This could be done in pairs: a father and son together planning how to show the mother their love, parents for their children or children to their parents. So often, especially at this time of year, we think we are showing love by the amount of money we spend on each other. There are many other creative ways: a special meal prepared, love tokens left on the pillow, special notes hidden in lunch boxes … these are a few. Have fun this week … Jesus enjoyed loving people: He enjoys seeing families totally in love with each other and showing that love in meaningful ways.

Children's Cell Material

Theme: Love one another

Materials: Large sheet of Paper, a personal letter of encouragement for each child in their own personalised envelope, a large red heart

Welcome - Have drink and biscuits while you share with the children about their week, and they share the highlights of their week with each other.

Icebreaker: Name one thing you like about the person sitting on your right and say why you like it.

Worship: Stand in a circle. Holding hands and welcome Jesus- Sing a lively praise song about the love of God and encourage the children to dance/jump/ express their praise.- Now sing a quieter song also about the love of Jesus this time encouraged the children to express their worship in their own way.- Keep music playing and tell the children that if any one of them feels that they need some special love today to stand in the middle of the cell- Let the other children lay hands on them and ask the Father to touch them with His love- After the prayer affirm the love of the cell for those children who were prayed for- Sing a song expressing love for reach other as Jesus commanded this could be sung with the cell holding hands in their circle- While music is playing hold hands in pairs and pray for each other.

Word-:Find John 13: 34 and ask two or three of the children to read it aloud- Ask the children to share what they think this Scripture means- Put a large sheet of paper on the floor in the middle, give each child a pencil and ask them all to write or draw as many ways as they can think of that shows that Jesus loves them- After they have finished spend some time talking what they put on the paper.- Now ask the children if any of then can share a time when they showed loved to some one in a way that Jesus would. It might be good for you to start off by sharing and experience of your own.- Ask the children to share ways that they can love each other in the cell as Jesus would- Pray for each other, especially if a child has expressed a struggle in any area.- Now give each child an envelope in which you have written a personal word of encouragement and affirmation. - Ask them to open it and read it! Then pray for them.

Witness: Now read John 13: 34 and 35 and ask the children what they think Jesus was saying in verse 35. Ask them to share how they can support each other at school and show that they love each other in that setting- Now pray for friends by name, who they could draw into their own circle of love.

Finish by putting a large heart shape in the middle: ask everyone to stand on it: and pray that you will all stay loving one another by having a loving heart like Jesus.