For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
A teacher asks Jesus which rule is the most important of all — and Jesus' answer is the heart of everything.
Today's Story
People kept trying to trick Jesus with hard questions, but Jesus answered them all with wisdom. (When they asked about paying the emperor's taxes, Jesus said, “Give the emperor what's his, and give GOD what's God's” — and they were amazed.)
Then one teacher asked an honest question: “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
Jesus said, “The most important one is this: Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. There's no commandment greater than these.”
That's it — the whole thing! Love God with everything you've got, and love the people around you.
Then Jesus sat near the temple offering box and watched people give. Rich people put in big amounts. But then a poor widow dropped in two tiny coins, worth almost nothing. And Jesus said, “She gave more than ALL the rest! They gave a little out of their riches, but she gave everything she had.” God doesn't measure our gifts by size — He measures them by love.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Jesus said the most important thing is to love God and love people. How could you love God today? How could you love a person today?
- The widow gave two tiny coins, but Jesus said she gave the most. Why? What does God care about most in our giving?
- It all comes down to love. Who is a “neighbor” (someone near you) you could love better this week?