Jesus Commands Us to Love (Continued) – Basic 1 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

A command is an order or instruction that we must follow and obey. It is not optional, and it is different from a suggestion. Jesus gave His followers a new command: love one another as He has loved us. Children show love for God by obeying His commands, loving others, serving, forgiving and staying close to Jesus.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• say what a command is and how it differs from a suggestion;
• recite John 13:34;
• explain what Jesus means by “As I have loved you, so you must love one another”;
• name some things Jesus asked His disciples to do to show love for God;
• give examples of how children can show love to God at home, at school and at church.

What is a command?

A command is:

• an order
• an instruction we must follow
• something we should obey
• not optional: we must do it!

Examples of commands

• “Clean your room” (a parent’s command)
• “Sit down” (a teacher’s command)
• “Love one another” (Jesus’ command)

How is a command different from a suggestion?

• A suggestion: “You might want to…”
• A command: “You must…”

What did Jesus command us about love?

Jesus gave us a new command.

John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Breaking down the verse

“A new command”

• This is not a suggestion.
• This is a command we must obey.

“Love one another”

• Love each other.
• Love fellow Christians.
• Love all people.

“As I have loved you”

• This is the way Jesus loved us.
• He loved us sacrificially.
• He loved us unconditionally.
• He loved us completely.

“So you must love one another”

• This is how we should love.
• We should love completely, not just a little.
• We should love like Jesus loved us.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples”

• Our love is our identity.
• People should see Jesus in us.
• Love is our testimony.

What do other Bible verses say about loving?

Matthew 22:37-39

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

These are the two great commandments:

1. Love God completely.
2. Love others as you love yourself.

1 John 4:7

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”

1 John 4:11

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Romans 12:9-10

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

1 Peter 4:8

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

How do we recite John 13:34?

Say it with me: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

• John 13:34

Practise until you can say it by heart!

What did Jesus ask His disciples to do to show love for God?

Jesus told His disciples (and us!) to do several things to show our love for God.

1. Obey His commands

John 14:15: “If you love me, keep my commands.”

How to show this:

• Follow the Ten Commandments.
• Do what the Bible says.
• Listen to Jesus’ teachings.
• Obey God’s Word.

2. Love one another

John 13:34-35: As we have learned, we must love others.

How to show this:

• Be kind to everyone.
• Help others.
• Forgive people.
• Share with others.

3. Make disciples

Matthew 28:19-20: “Go and make disciples of all nations”

How to show this:

• Tell others about Jesus.
• Invite friends to church.
• Share the good news.
• Teach people about God.

4. Feed His sheep

John 21:15-17: Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter said, “Yes, Lord.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

What this means:

• Take care of God’s people.
• Help fellow Christians.
• Support the church.
• Care for those in need.

5. Remember Him

Luke 22:19: “Do this in remembrance of me” (The Last Supper)

How to show this:

• Take communion (Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper).
• Remember Jesus’ sacrifice.
• Think about what He did for us.
• Be grateful.

6. Serve others

John 13:14-15: Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and said: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

How to show this:

• Help people even with small tasks.
• Do not think you are too important to serve.
• Be humble.
• Do acts of service.

7. Love your enemies

Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”

How to show this:

• Be kind even to mean people.
• Pray for those who hurt you.
• Do not seek revenge.
• Forgive those who wrong you.

8. Give to the needy

Matthew 25:35-40: Jesus said that when you feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, care for the sick and visit prisoners, you do it to Him.

How to show this:

• Give food to hungry people.
• Help the poor.
• Be generous.
• Care for those in need.

9. Forgive others

Matthew 6:14-15: “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

How to show this:

• Forgive when someone hurts you.
• Do not hold grudges.
• Let go of anger.
• Show mercy.

10. Deny yourself and follow Him

Luke 9:23: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

What this means:

• Put God first, not yourself.
• Make sacrifices for Jesus.
• Choose God’s way, not your way.
• Follow Jesus every day.

11. Stay connected to Him

John 15:4-5: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you…apart from me you can do nothing.”

How to show this:

• Pray every day.
• Read the Bible.
• Go to church.
• Keep close to Jesus.

12. Be His witness

Acts 1:8: “You will be my witnesses”

How to show this:

• Tell people what Jesus has done for you.
• Share your testimony.
• Live a life that shows Jesus.
• Be a light in the world.

How can children show love to God?

At home

• Obey your parents.
• Help with chores.
• Pray before meals.
• Be kind to siblings.

At school

• Be a good student.
• Help classmates.
• Share your things.
• Do not bully anyone.

At church

• Pay attention during service.
• Sing worship songs.
• Learn Bible verses.
• Respect church leaders.

Every day

• Pray morning and night.
• Read your Bible.
• Tell someone about Jesus.
• Do something kind.

Remember: actions speak louder than words. Do not just say you love God. Show it!

Song

Jesus loves me, this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are weak, but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. A command is something we _____ obey.
   • a) might
   • b) must
   • c) never
2. Jesus said “_____ one another.”
   • a) Hate
   • b) Ignore
   • c) Love
3. To show love for God, we should _____ His commands.
   • a) break
   • b) obey
   • c) forget
4. Jesus said if we love Him, we will _____.
   • a) keep His commands
   • b) disobey
   • c) complain
5. We should even love our _____.
   • a) enemies
   • b) toys only
   • c) pets only

Assignment

1. Memorise John 13:34 completely.
2. Obey your parents without complaining this week.
3. Do one act of service (help someone).
4. Tell one person about Jesus.