Love protects

01 · GATHER ROUND

Start with a question.

“What’s something you’d be really sad to find out someone took without asking?”

Let everyone share. Notice how quickly we feel it when something of ours isn’t respected.

03 · OPEN THE BIBLE

It starts on the inside.

A brother grabs your stuff. A friend cuts in line. Someone says something mean. Did something hot bubble up inside you? Maybe you wanted to shove, yell, or get them back. That feeling can grow fast—like a spark that turns into a campfire.

The sixth commandment says do not murder. That might sound like it has nothing to do with kids. But Jesus taught that this commandment reaches all the way into our hearts. Anger that turns into hate, words meant to wound, and wanting to hurt someone all go against it. God wants us to protect other people, not harm them.

The seventh commandment says do not commit adultery. Adultery means breaking the special promise between a husband and wife. God made marriage for keeping promises and loving faithfully. For kids, living purely means choosing respectful words and thoughts, looking away from shows or pictures that treat bodies like a joke, and treating our own bodies and other people’s bodies with respect. If you ever see something that makes you feel yucky or confused, tell a grown-up you trust.

The eighth commandment says do not steal. Stealing isn’t only sneaking a candy bar from a store. It’s also keeping a friend’s toy after they’ve asked for it back, copying someone’s answers, or taking the last cookie that was saved for someone else. Asking first is a simple way to say, “You matter to me.”

Paul shows what ties these commandments together. He lists them and then says they are all summed up in one: love your neighbor as yourself. Love doesn’t hurt people, break promises, or take what isn’t ours. Love protects.

When we’ve broken one of these commands, we don’t have to hide. We can tell God, say sorry to the person we hurt, and make it right—give it back, fix it, or ask forgiveness. Jesus loved his neighbors perfectly, and he forgives everyone who trusts him. His love makes us into people who protect.

04 · WONDER TOGETHER

Let’s talk about it.

1. Why do you think Jesus said anger in our hearts matters, not just what we do with our hands?
2. What does it mean to keep a promise even when it’s hard?
3. Is there anything you’ve borrowed or taken that you need to give back or make right?

Try answering one yourself first. “I don’t know yet” is a fine place to start a conversation.

06 · TALK TO GOD

Let’s pray.

Lord, thank you for giving us commands that protect people. Help us not to hurt or hate others, even when we’re angry. Help us keep our promises and treat every person with respect. Help us ask before we take and make things right when we’re wrong. Thank you for forgiving us through Jesus and teaching us to love. Amen.

Then invite everyone to add one thing they want to tell God.

07 · MAKE IT STICK

A little truth to learn by heart.

Draw it! Fold a sheet of paper into three parts. In the first, draw a picture for the sixth commandment; in the second, the seventh; in the third, the eighth. (Ideas: a shield for the sixth, two wedding rings for the seventh, a hand asking “May I?” for the eighth.) Use your drawings as clues while you say the answer, then flip the paper over and try it without them.