Loving Neighbors Near And Far: A 5-Day PlanSample

Over the past few days, we’ve been learning how much God loves us and how he wants us to show love to others. We’ve learned that love is sometimes hard work and might even mean we have to make sacrifices, give up things we want or that seem good for us. Today, we’re going to learn that the hard work of love is absolutely worth it!

Why? Today’s Bible verses show us a beautiful picture of the future God has planned for those who love him. As you read them, imagine the scene. Imagine what all the people in white robes look like. What kind of expression do they have on their faces? How do you think they feel? 

We know that God saved us from our sins because he loves us so much. When we love others as God first loved us, we are delivering his love to them, like a beautiful gift. Through you, they will get a glimpse of God, and they might decide they want to know him and love him like you do.

We all have days when loving other people seems just too hard. Maybe you tried to be nice to your brother, but he did something mean in return. Maybe you tried to make a new friend, but they didn’t want to play with you. Maybe you made a mistake and hurt someone instead of helping them.

When those days come, remember the scene described in these verses. Picture that huge crowd, filled with people you’ve known your whole life and people you just met. People who look like you and people who look different. People speaking your language—and every other language in the world. People you’ve loved and people who have loved you. All of God’s children together, praising the One who taught us how to love, the One who is love himself.

Talk together: How do you feel when you think about the great crowd from every nation praising God together? Who do you hope to see in that crowd? What can you do to show God’s love to that person? 

If you found this study helpful in teaching your family to love your neighbors near and far, please click here for another great family resource.