3 Ways Into Sunday’s Stories for Children: The Difference Between Like and Love

The Seventh Sunday After the Epiphany

Is there a difference between like and love? Jesus said that you don’t always have to like a person or their actions to love them as God loves all of us. It’s just a lot easier to love people who we like and know, or who know and like us. Jesus wanted people to imagine and know that there can be peace and love between people who don’t like or know each other at all! It can be hard because of all the feelings. But we humans can be aware of our feelings, and God is with us in all of them. Jesus taught us that we can also grow or transform them if we try. Trying to do this is something that most faiths and cultures have in common. Some call it The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.

Read and color the Mini Storybook based on Luke 6:27–38.

The Mini Storybook is included in the take-home packets available at the 9:15am and 11:15am Sunday services. You can also print it at home.

1. Sing and Dance

Sing, dance, and shake off the feelings that get in your way of love. We all need to sometimes. Or dance with Ms. Tina:

2. Play and Pray

Play a reverse version of a competitive game.

• Reverse Musical Chairs: Add a chair for each round until everyone has a seat.
• Reverse Chess or Checkers: Play pieces so that your opponent is in a position to take them, which they must if they can. Try to give all of your pieces to the other player.

Pray: Loving God, you call us to show your love to everyone, not just those we like. Help us to love others even when it’s hard. Amen.

3. Create

Create a cartoon story with two ways to approach a situation, Goofus and Gallant-style.

Or when you’re feeling angry or hurt by someone, try this micro-practice.