Be My Valentine Kids Message
Be My Valentine
Kid's Message
Props: Wrapped package, cupid, necklace, candy hearts, box of chocolates, bear
Bible Verse:
I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me. Proverbs 8: 17
Introduction:
What does it mean to be a Valentine? To be Cupid? (hold up a cupid) He is cute and would make a nice valentine. Wear a love necklace? Everyone could see our valentine if we wore it around our neck. (hold up necklace) A Candy heart? (hold up cnady heart) Mmmmmm! Every time we eat one, it will remind us of a valentine. Or a large box of chocolates? (hold up a box of chocolates) My favorite! I will let you all select one from the box. Maybe a cuddly Valentine bear? (hold up a bear) Ahhhhhhhh! So cute (hug bear to youself). I know he would be the best Valentine.
According to some people, there was actually a Mr. Valentine who while in prison fell in love with a young girl who may have been the jailor's daughter. Before his death, he sent her a letter that was signed, "From, Your Valentine". (hold up a valentine and read what the one you are holding says)
Actually, we do not know how true this story is, but it shows us that Mr. Valentine loved someone who returned his love. Even in death, he reached out to show that love though a special letter.
God is seeking for those who will love Him. He gave His Son, Jesus as a special gift for each one of us, that we may know how much we are loved. God was not in prison like Mr. Valentine, but it was much worse than that. He died on a cross for our sins. He loved us so much that He sent Jesus here for us rather than a love letter (hold up valentine).
When Jesus returned to heaven after he had risen from the grave, God inspired men to write a love letter to us - the Bible. It is from the Bible that we learn more about how to be like Jesus. The Bible was a special gift to all of us. Isn't this package pretty?
Would anyone like to open this package for me? (Provide a pretty wrapped gift. Inside have a Bible. Place a red ribbon in the place where the memory verse would be.) Look what is inside. Be careful. It might be a Valentine. Tell us what it is. A Bible! Look, there is a lovely red ribbon. I wonder why? (Open Bible to where the ribbon is and read the verse out loud. Next, allow a child to read the verse to the group).
"I love those who love me, and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me." Proverbs 8: 17
(Write the verse on the dry erase board)
Love is a beautiful word that has so many different meanings. What does love mean to you? (Allow them to share). When we love someone, we care for them. We admire and respect them. We will spend time with them. God wants us to spend time with Him. He wants to be our Valentine. If we seek Him early before things get complicated in our lives, or we become frustrated, we will have His help so things will be much easier.
Let us send love letters to God through our prayers each day. Let us read His love letter - the Bible and grow in our love toward others. He wants to be our Valentine.
Discussion Questions:
- 1. Why does God want to be our Valentine?
- 2. What ways can we show God that He is our Valentine?
- 3. How can we show others that we love God?
- 4. What can we do to show others that we love them?
Game:
Place the words of the verse on individual hearts. You can cut out pink or purple stick notes and place on dry erase board. Mix them all up. Have the kids come up and put the verse in order. Say all together. Do this a few times to give the others an opportunity to have some fun.
Sing: Love the Lord (Shout Kids Praise - I Am Free DVD)
Small Group Activity:
Write a love letter to God. Provide material such as stickers, markers, and cut out hearts to decorate the envelope. Seal and place in Bible. Tell the kids to read their letters daily as a reminder of their love to God and others.
© Kidzministry.net February 2010 Jeanne McIntosh. All rights reserved.
