For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Someone tries to trick Jesus with a hard question, and Jesus gives an answer that sums up everything.
Today's Story
The proud leaders kept trying to trap Jesus with tricky questions. One of them, an expert in God's laws, asked, “Teacher, which is the most important commandment of all?”
There were SO many commandments — but Jesus answered simply and beautifully. “The most important one is this: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”
“And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Everything God asks of us hangs on these two: Love God, and love people.”
Isn't that wonderful? All of God's rules can be summed up in one word: LOVE. When we love God with our whole hearts and love the people around us, we're doing what matters most to God.
(Jesus also told a story about a king who invited everyone to a great feast — showing that God invites all kinds of people to come and celebrate with Him.)
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with ALL your heart. What are some ways we can show love to God?
- The second is to love others as ourselves. Who is someone you can show love to today?
- Jesus summed up everything in one word: love. Why do you think love is the most important thing to God?