Seeing God's World · Lesson 7
Made for Relationships
Matthew 22:34-40; Genesis 2:18-24; 1 John 4:19-21 New Testament PrincipleLove
When someone asked Jesus for the greatest commandment, He gave two that belong together – love God with everything, and love your neighbor as yourself. From the beginning God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone." We were made for relationship with God and with each other.
God loved us first. We were made to love Him with all we are and to love the people around us.
- CreationGod made it (this lesson)
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 22:37, 39 BSB
Christ Connection · The gospel
Sin broke our relationship with God and with each other. Jesus is the only one who ever loved God with all His heart and loved His neighbors perfectly, and He died to bring us back to God (2 Corinthians 5:18). Now He makes us part of God's family (Ephesians 2:19). "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
1 John 4:9-11, 19; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 2:19
The Big Story · Creation
In creation, God made people for relationship with Him and each other. Sin broke both, and Jesus came to restore them.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 47-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Up and out
- Bible Kitchen (taste the story): Not good alone
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Up or out?
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
I can love God and others.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Build together, Color the friends
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with everything, and the second is to love your neighbor. God made us for relationships, with Him and with each other.
Memory verse
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart… Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Adapted from Matthew 22:37, 39
Start here
Try to clap with one hand. Ask, "Does it work?" Then clap with two hands. Say, "Some things need two! Today Jesus gives two answers that go together."
Bible story 6 min
Jesus was teaching at the temple. Many people came to ask Him hard questions.
One man knew a lot about God's rules. He asked, "Teacher, which rule is the best one?"
Jesus pointed up. "Love God with all your heart. Love Him with all your soul and all your mind. That is the first and best rule."
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Up or out? 8 min
- Call out actions. "Praying at bedtime." "Sharing your crayons." "Singing in church." "Helping Grandma." "Reading your Bible." "Saying sorry."
- Kids point up for loving God or put arms out for loving people. Talk about ones that are both!
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
Asked for the greatest commandment, Jesus gave two that belong together – love God with all your heart, soul and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. God made us for relationships, and loving others usually starts close to home.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Love up, love out, Love in action
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with brothers and sisters, at school, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
God is relational, and He made us in His image for relationship. Asked for the greatest commandment, Jesus joined two – love God with everything you are, and love your neighbor as yourself. Our culture says independence is strength, but the Bible says we're made to love and be loved, because God loved us first.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Made for relationship, Up and out inventory
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with friends, online and on screens, at home
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Love
The same principle in other Bible stories.
Jesus the KingJesus Dies for UsLuke 23:13-49; Isaiah 53:4-6Jesus was innocent, but He let Himself be put on a cross. He forgave the people who hurt Him and died in our place, because He loves us.New TestamentLove
Jesus the KingThe Lost SonLuke 15:1-32Jesus told a story about a son who ran away and wasted everything, and a father who ran to welcome him home, showing how much God loves lost people.New TestamentLove