LESSON LIFESAVER Activity

MY CIRCLE OF LOVE spin-and-serve game

OBJECTIVE: To strengthen each child’s desire to show love to others.

TO MAKE.

(1) Print and cut out the My Circle of Love Spin-and-Serve game for each child.

(2) Attach part A to part B (larger circle) with a paper metal fastener or button brad*.
*To make a button brad, sew two buttons together on opposite sides (threading thread through the same hole in the paper) to attach wheel parts A and B.

ACTIVITY:

Tell the story of Abraham and how he included and his brother Lot in his CIRCLE OF LOVE (see below*)

Circle of Love Demonstration.

Using a long string make a small circle on the floor or ground. Then have one youth step inside the circle. Then have that youth invite the other youth into their circle one by one (moving the string each time to make the circle larger). Explain that their circle of love can continue to grow as they show love to others.

Play this game to learn ways we can include others in our circle of love.

Spin Game: Have youth spin the center circle, then tell how they can love and serve that person (on the wheel) to include him or her in their circle of love.

Brainstorm Game: Divide into two teams. Take 5-10 minutes to brainstorm and write down ways you can serve, naming the types of people you will serve (some may be on the wheel). When the time is up, share your ideas. The team with the most ideas wins!

THOUGHT TREAT Circle of Love Cookies.

Decorate round cookies with a frosted heart. As youth eat, ask them to think of someone they will include in their circle of love.

DISCUSSION: How to Help Those in Your “CIRCLE OF LOVE” #1-8:

Images are found on the Circle of Love spin game shown above.

#1 How to show love to a SHY CHILD

• Smile, wave, say hello • Ask them to join in a game or play • Sit together at lunch

John 14:27 “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

#2 How to show love to a TROUBLE MAKER

• Follow Jesus • show patience • show charity

1 Corinthians 13:4–7: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity … is not puffed up … seeketh not her own …. thinketh no evil … endureth all things.”

#3 How to show love to a LONELY MEMBER:

• Bring them a meal • Text them a scripture • Invite them to sit with you in church meetings • Ask them to join you in a family dinner • Invite them to a neighbor or church activity or community event • Invite them out to eat • Share a treat so they are not forgotten • help with yard work

1 John 4:19 “We love him, because he first loved us.”

#4 How to show love to a NEW CHILD:

• Ask them questions • Share your wisdom • Invite them to sit or play • Tell them to come again

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you…”

#5 How to show love to an OLDER NEIGHBOR:

• Assist with yard work • Walk their dog • Pick up groceries • Have parents pick up prescription • Call to check in • Invite to family dinners • Invite to family activities or game night • Drop off fresh baked goods or treats • Share a home-cooked meal • Invite to community events • Listen as they talk about their family • Listen to their stories

Mark 12:30–31: The first and second commandments to love God and love thy neighbor as thyself.

#6 How to show love to a VISITOR:

• Introduce yourself • Say, “welcome.” • Ask them sit with you during meetings • Tell them you are glad they are there • Help them find a seat • Point out restrooms • Show them where the meeting rooms are • Share hymn books • Introduce them to others

Matthew 25:35 “I was a stranger, and yet took me in.”

#7 How to show love to SOMEONE WHO HAS OFFENDED YOU:

• Pray for them to help soften your heart • See them as a child of God • Look for ways to show kindness • Show respect • Try to listen to them more • Forgive them •

Matthew 5:44 “But I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, BLESS them that curse you, DO GOOD to them that hate you, and PRAY for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you …”

#8 How to show love to a LONELY RELATIVE:

• Invite family to help. • Invite them to eat. • Invite them to visit. • Write a letter or send a card. • Call them. • Send family pictures. • Share family stories.

Romans 15:1 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”

*STORY OF ABRAHAM AND LOT & SODOM AND GOMORRAH

Tell youth how Abraham included his brother Lot and his family in his circle of love. He also included the herdsmen and people in Sodom and Gomorrah. Read:
– Genesis 13:1-18 (Abraham offered his brother Lot the choice of land. Lot chose the good green land and they separated; but Lot’s people faced their tents toward the city of Sodom and Gomorrah where wicked people lived);
– Genesis 14:8-16 (Abraham heard his brother Lot was taken captive and armed his 318 trained servants and rescued them);
– Genesis 18:16-33 (The Lord told Abraham He would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah city of wicked people);
– Genesis 19:1, 12-17, 24-29 (Lot saw two angels who said to leave Sodom as it would be destroyed. He was to take his wife and two daughters who were willing to leave the wicked city. The Lord set the city on fire as were they running out of the city. They were warned to not look back, but Lot’s wife looked back and “she became a pillar of salt.” This warns us to NOT to look back to be tempted by evil things but to look to God).

Caring and Sharing:

Express your love for the children, mentioning something good you have noticed about each child.

Share with them that each of us is included in Heavenly Father’s CIRCLE OF LOVE.

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You'll love using the Bright Ideas Lesson Planner page included in the pdf download (with the above activity).