Talk Together
Family conversations with God’s Word.
What do you think the most important rule in our house is? We give you rules because we love you and want what is best for you. In the Bible, God tells us how to love Him and serve others. Do you know what the greatest commandment in the Bible is?
In the New Testament book of Mark, a man approached Jesus and asked Him what commandment was most important. Let’s read Mark 12:28-31 to find out Jesus’s answer!
ESV
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that He answered them well, asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
This wasn’t the first time the Jews had heard this command. Many years before Jesus came to Earth, God gave this same command to Moses to share with the people in the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. He told them to think about loving God when they woke up and before they went to sleep, and to discuss loving God with their families so they would remember to put the commandment into action.
But what does loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength mean? It means we should love God completely, with every part of us and in everything we do. We can show our love for God in everything we do, not just by going to church or saying our prayers. Here are some examples of everyday situations where we can choose to love God with our actions:
The next time you enjoy swinging on a swing set, thank God for the gift of play.
The next time your parent tells you it’s time to wake up, respond with a good attitude.
The next time a friend says hurtful words to you, answer with love and offer forgiveness.
There are many more ways we can love God through the things we do! Because of sin, however, it is not easy to love God all the time. But we can ask God to help us!
God’s love is so amazing it will never end. His love for us was so great, He sent Jesus to save us from our sins. And His love is something we can share with those around us. He shows His incredible love for us every day, and we have daily opportunities to love Him back!
No matter what highs or lows life brings your way, remember this — God loves you.