For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Romans is a letter Paul wrote to help God's family love God and love each other.
Today's Story
Paul has spent his whole letter telling God's family how much God loves them. Now he says, “Because God loves you this much, here is how you can live!”
Love each other, Paul writes. Be kind. Share what you have. When someone is happy, be happy with them. When someone is sad, sit with them and be sad too. Don't be proud or think you're better than anyone. Make friends with people that others forget about.
Then Paul says something really hard but really brave. “Don't pay back evil with evil,” he writes. When someone is mean to you, you might want to be mean right back. But Paul says there's a better way. If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he's thirsty, get him a drink.
Why? Because being mean back just makes more meanness. It's like throwing mud — everyone ends up dirty. But doing something kind can change everything. Paul finishes with the big idea: “Do not let evil win. Win over evil by doing good.” Goodness is stronger than meanness every time.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Has someone ever been mean to you? What did you feel like doing back?
- Paul says doing something kind can win over meanness. What is one kind thing you could do for someone who was unkind to you?
- When a friend is sad, how can you be sad with them and help them feel less alone?