This week’s verse comes from the book of Mark. Mark is the second of four books known as the Gospels. The author of this book is a man named Mark, who worked with Jesus’ disciple Peter. The book is written from Peter’s perspective and presents the Good News about Jesus.
More To Explore
Print off this week's "More to Explore" sheet and use it all week!
Find it in the Bible: Mark
OT–NT Connection
Like we learned in this week’s lesson, the command to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength shows up in the Old Testament too!
Let’s read about it in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
What are some examples from verse 7 of how important it is to remember to love God?
What is one way you can love God today?
How do I always show my love for God?
Because we sin, we will not always show God our love for Him. At times, we will mess up and choose sin over loving God. Thankfully, God conquered sin and it does not control the lives of believers. (Romans 6) Instead, the Holy Spirit lives inside all believers and is there to lead us toward what is right. If we ask Him to help us love God, He will help us do that.
Can I earn my way to heaven by loving God?
No! John 14:6 tells us no one can be saved except through the gift of salvation that Jesus offers to all. After we accept Jesus as our Savior, the desire to love God will come naturally because the Holy Spirit is working in our lives. Our love for God is possible because He loved us first, not the other way around. (1 John 4:19)
Journal
God instructs His children to make loving Him the highest priority of their lives.
Gather art supplies such as paper, pencils, markers, paint, etc. and create artwork that reminds you of loving God.
This could be writing out the verse, creating a picture of something that reminds you of the verse or something else!
Read
Did you know Mark isn’t the only place in the New Testament Jesus talks about loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? Look up Matthew 22:37 and Luke 10:27 to read the other New Testament accounts of Jesus citing the greatest commandment.