(The image, Love In Motion, was created by ChatGPT)

 

Loved. Loving. Living.

By Dr. Al Hearne II

 

Imagine Jesus sitting with His disciples for the last time before His crucifixion. The room is quiet, weighted with unspoken questions. Jesus has just washed their feet, including Judas’s. He then says words they will always remember: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

In that moment, Jesus showed His disciples that love isn’t just a feeling: it’s a choice. Real love serves, forgives, and gives even when it’s hard. He wasn’t offering a suggestion; He was giving a command. What made it new wasn’t the idea of loving others, but the example He gave: “Just as I have loved you.” Jesus made love personal. He tied it to His own actions, to the way He lived and cared for people. This command wasn’t meant to add another rule; it was meant to shape who we are as His followers, people marked by His faithfulness and love.

In Quarter 1, we learned that we are Made by God to Grow. This growth comes with challenges, such as sibling rivalry, which many families face as children navigate the process of sharing and cooperation. Building on that, in Quarter 2, we will see that we are Made By God to Love because God's love begins His work in us, forming and flowing through us. As children learn to resolve these conflicts, Jesus commands us to be conduits of this divine love in our daily lives. Because we are made with dignity and worth, and as we help our children understand their feelings and actions, we are called to share that love with others.

John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

When we love as Jesus loved, we show God’s character to the world. His love is patient, forgiving, and steadfast, love that comes from Christ within us and changes how we relate to others. Love is not a response to how we are treated. It’s obedience to Jesus, who loved us first. Remember, this love is not solely reliant on our strength; our ability to love is empowered by the Holy Spirit, enabling us to love beyond our natural capacity.

Think of a lighthouse standing tall during a storm. Its purpose doesn’t change when the waves crash against it; it shines all the same. That’s what it means to love like Jesus: steady, reliable, self-giving love that keeps shining even when life gets difficult. Practicing this love in concrete ways can make it real for our families.

God made you to grow in His love and to show that love in everything you do.

Application

This week, take some time as a family to talk about what Jesus’ kind of love looks like in real life. You might start by asking, “How can we love one another the way Jesus loves us?” Keep it simple and honest. With little ones, you can talk about what it means to share, help, or be kind. With older kids or teens, ask about moments when it’s hard to love, such as when someone is unkind or when they feel left out, and discuss how Jesus would respond. Give everyone a chance to share a story or example. These conversations help love take root in everyday moments.

At dinner or bedtime, each person shares one example from the day when they showed love in action—such as offering forgiveness, showing patience, or helping without being asked.

As a family, discuss one way each of you can show love this week. It doesn't need to be big; kind words, a helping hand, or choosing patience during tense moments all count. Write your ideas on a small note and place it somewhere visible, such as the fridge or dinner table. These reminders help keep love at the center of your home. As you put these ideas into practice, you’ll see opportunities to grow together.

You could also start a simple “Family Love Journal.” Each night before bed, take a minute to share one way someone in the family showed love that day. Write it down. Over time, you’ll have a beautiful story of how God’s love has been growing in your home, one small act at a time.

Reflection – Ask your children to reflect upon the following questions:

Before you start, ask your children, "What’s something you've waited for that finally happened?" This helps them connect patience to God’s timing. Then share a real moment from your life when you waited on God, a season that didn’t make sense at the time but later showed how He shaped your heart and faith.

Then ask your family:

• Why do you think Jesus called this a new commandment?
• How did Jesus show love to others? What does that teach us about how we should love?
• What’s one way you can show love to someone this week, even if it’s hard?

Growth in Action

Transformation continues when love moves from the heart to the hands. Try these ideas as a family:

• With younger children: Create a simple “Love Like Jesus” craft together. Trace a big heart on a piece of paper and write inside, “Love one another.” Around the heart, draw or write ways to show love — things like sharing toys, saying kind words, or helping at home. As you go, ask your kids to explain what each picture or word means to them. Say something like, “Tell me about this one — why did you pick it?” Their answers often turn into sweet little stories and reminders of how love can show up in small, everyday ways.
• With older children or teens: Discuss what makes it hard to love others sometimes, such as when someone hurts your feelings or disagrees with you. To foster a deeper understanding, encourage them to practice empathy mapping by imagining the other person's feelings in these challenging scenarios. Brief role-swap exercises can help build cognitive empathy and relational skills. Discuss how Jesus responded in love, even to those who misunderstood or rejected Him.
• As a family: Choose one person outside your household to serve this week, maybe a neighbor, teacher, or friend. Write them a short note or perform a simple act of kindness to reflect Christ’s love.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us first. Teach us to love like Jesus, with patience, humility, and grace. Help our family see each moment as a chance to reflect Your love. When it’s hard to love, remind us of how Jesus loved us all the way to the cross. Let our home be a light of Your compassion in our community. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.