Ilumi Kids

Lesson kit: The Letters of John

Everything you need to teach this story in Sunday school, kids' church or at home: lesson plan, questions and a printable sheet.

Passage
1 John 4
Ages
9 to 12
Length
37 minutes
📖 Open the story

Lesson aim

God is love, and those who love show the world what God is like.

Key verse

“The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Lesson plan

  1. 1

    Welcome · 5 minutes

    Greet the children, sing a song they know and say a short prayer.

  2. 2

    The story · 10 minutes

    Tell the story with the illustrations on the big screen or by reading it aloud, page by page.

    Open on the big screen →
  3. 3

    Talk · 10 minutes

    Ask the questions below and let the children answer in their own words.

  4. 4

    Activity · 10 minutes

    Hand out the printed sheet: each child draws their favourite scene and practises the verse.

  5. 5

    Closing prayer · 2 minutes

    Close by thanking God for what you learned today. God is love, and those who love show the world what God is like.

Discussion questions

  1. What secret did John reveal about God?
  2. Who loved first: us or God?
  3. How can you show God’s love to someone this week?

Summary for the teacher

The apostle John wrote to his friends to teach them to recognize the truth and to remind them that the one who is in them is greater than the one who is in the world. He shared a beautiful secret: "God is love". God loved us first and sent Jesus; that is why we should love one another and show that love to the world.

Child's sheet

Name: ______________________________

The Letters of John

1 John 4

✏️ Draw the part of the story you liked best
  1. What secret did John reveal about God?
  2. Who loved first: us or God?
  3. How can you show God’s love to someone this week?

✂️ Cut out and take home

“The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4