LESSON 8: READ AND RESPOND
THEME: THE LOVE OF THE FATHER – PART 1
VERSE: 1 John 4:16: “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God and God abides in him.”
VOCABULARY: focus, absent, sought out, present
STORY: There is a man. His name is Sam. He is 37 years old. He grew up in a family where his father was very absent. His dad was part of his family but did not really focus on his kids. Sam never felt that he could be good enough for his father. He knew that his father loved him in his own way, but it was always hard for Sam. This was a major struggle for Sam while he was growing up. When he was young, he knew he wanted to have a family someday. However, he feared that he would follow his father’s example. Sam did not want to be that kind of father. He wanted to be a good father who was present for his children. He wanted his own children to always know that they were important. When Sam was in his 20’s he met a friend who took him to church. This was a big step for Sam. He always believed in the Lord but he did not have a strong relationship with the Lord. Being in church was a great time of healing for him. One day when he went to church he received a message from the preacher about our Heavenly Father above. He learned that even if he did not have a wonderful earthly father, he has always had a Father above who calls him “son.” This was a big day for Sam. There was so much healing that day! He learned that he has always had a Father Who loved him and cared for him, even when he did not see it. 1 John 4:16 says, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God and God abides in him.” From that day on, Sam knew that as long as he sought out the Lord, he would always have a Father Who could guide him in everything he did. Sam also knew that he would be a good father someday. He would be a father who sought out the Father above.
STORY WITH QUESTIONS: There is a man. (Is there a man or woman?) His name is Sam. (What is his name?) He is 37 years old. (How old is he?) He grew up in a family where his father was very absent. (How was his father?) His dad was part of his family but did not really focus on his kids. (Did Sam spend time with his father?) Sam never felt that he could be good enough for his father. (How did Sam feel?) He knew that his father loved him in his own way, but it was always hard for Sam. (Did his father love him?) This was a major struggle for Sam while he was growing up. (What did Sam struggle with?) When he was young, he knew he wanted to have a family someday. However, he feared that he would follow his father’s example. Sam did not want to be that kind of father. (What did Sam fear?) He wanted to be a good father who was present for his children. He wanted his own children to always know that they were important. (What kind of father did he want to be?) When Sam was in his 20’s he met a friend who took him to church. (What happened when Sam was in his 20’s?) This was a big step for Sam. He always believed in the Lord but he did not have a strong relationship with the Lord. (Did Sam have a strong relationship with the Lord?) Being in church was a great time of healing for him. (How did this help Sam?) One day when he went to church he received a message from the preacher about our Heavenly Father above. (What did Sam receive?) He learned that even if he did not have a wonderful earthly father, he has always had a Father above who calls him “son.” This was a big day for Sam. (What did Sam learn?) There was so much healing that day! He learned that he has always had a Father Who loved him and cared for him, even when he did not see it. (What has Sam always had?) 1 John 4:16 says, “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God and God abides in him.” (What can we learn from this verse?) From that day on, Sam knew that as long as he sought out the Lord, he would always have a Father Who could guide him in everything he did. Sam also knew that he would be a good father someday. He would be a father who sought out the Father above. (What did Sam learn?)
ACTIVITIES:
- Review the vocabulary words. Listen to the Vocabulary File for pronunciation. Look up the meaning of any words you don’t know.
- Listen to Audio 1 as you read through the story.
- Listen to Audio 2 – Story with Questions as you read through the story and answer the questions.
- Discuss the following questions:
- Who loves us unconditionally?
- What does the story teach us about the Father’s love?
- Why is it important to have a relationship with the Lord?
- What can the Father’s love do for us?
- End the class with prayer.