“Heart to Heart” Sharing God’s Love With Children

Hearts, hearts, and more hearts…everywhere you go, all you see is hearts. In the grocery store, the card store, gift store, florist, or department store, you most likely have seen them.  Hearts of all sizes, shapes, and even colors (though red is the most prominent) are found on cards, stamped on gifts, made of candy, and put on flowers.  You can’t miss them during this time of year…hearts are everywhere.  Valentine’s Day is approaching and many people, young and old, will participate and celebrate this holiday by giving gifts of hearts to those they cherish, love, and value.  

Hearts, hearts, and more hearts…everywhere you go, all you see is hearts. In the grocery store, the card store, gift store, florist, or department store, you most likely have seen them.  Hearts of all sizes, shapes, and even colors (though red is the most prominent) are found on cards, stamped on gifts, made of candy, and put on flowers.  You can’t miss them during this time of year…hearts are everywhere.  Valentine’s Day is approaching and many people, young and old, will participate and celebrate this holiday by giving gifts of hearts to those they cherish, love, and value.  

Do you know why we celebrate Valentine’s Day?  History tells us that St. Valentine was two men who were thrown into prison and martyred for their faith in God around A.D. 270.  An annual feast was later established on February 14 as a memorial and remembrance of their lives.  Today we give little or no acknowledgement to these two men, but instead many within our culture view this holiday as a secular holiday commemorating love and romance.  

During the month of February I want to encourage us to celebrate God’s love…not sensual love.  Provide children with engaging activities that will encourage and strengthen their love for the Lord…and let them know how much He loves them.  Below is one idea that can be used in the classroom to teach children to worship and adore the Lord.  

Heart Theme: Adore God

Words from the Heart of God: Psalm 95:1-6

Read or have a child read Psalms 95:1-6.  After reading the Bible verses ask the following questions.  How do you worship God and show your love to Him?  Instruct them by saying:  When we show adoration to the Lord we are sharing the greatest love and highest respect towards Him.   God deserves our adoration (love), because He is holy and perfect in every way…and because He loves us.   He is our Creator and created all things.  God desires for us to love Him, tell Him how wonderful He is, and how important He is in our lives.  We can tell God how much we love Him by writing Him a note such as:  Dear God… You are so wonderful.  I love you because…you are all powerful…you are my Creator…you are holy…you are my provider….you are my strength…you are perfect in every way…and I know that you love me…

Heart to Heart Activity: In the Classroom…Write A Heart Note To God 

Provide each child with a ten inch heart or have them cut one out of red construction paper.  Provide a pencil, pen, or crayon to each child to be used to write their note.  Allow 10 minutes for the children to write their love notes to God on their paper heart.  Provide some glitter and glue and let the children decorate their heart…encouraging them not to cover over their words.   

When the children are finished, put their hearts up on a bulletin board or the wall.  Label the bulletin board “Heart to Heart” and use these hearts as an example as you talk about the love and adoration we are to have for God…while acknowledging our love for Him is because He first loved us.  Instruct them by asking:  Have you ever felt really close to God?  Where were you?   What are some ways you can show God you love Him?  Do you think God is close to you?  Do you tell God you love Him every day?  Instruct them by saying:  God deserves our love and adoration and He wants to have a relationship with you…and for you to believe in Jesus.  The Holy Spirit will help you experience God’s love.  God’s heart is seeking you and wants to touch your heart.  He desires to love you from His heart to your heart.   Happy Valentine’s Day!