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

 

Planned. Sent. Saved.

By Dr. Al Hearne II

 

1 John 4:9-11, “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

For the last two months, we have explored how God forms us, grows us, and teaches us to love. December continues that journey by showing us something even deeper: every act of Christian love begins with God. Before we ever lifted a finger to love Him, He moved toward us. Before we ever chose Him, He chose to send His Son.

John says God’s love was “made manifest,” meaning it became visible and concrete. How did this happen? God sent Jesus. That sending was not forced, accidental, or last-minute. It was deliberate, purposeful, and filled with affection. God wanted us to know Him, so He came near in the way we could understand best: through His Son.

Think about how this shows up in daily life. Picture a parent quietly placing a warm breakfast in front of a child before school. The child did nothing to earn it; the parent cares. Or imagine a friend who texts out of the blue, “Just thinking about you today.” These little moments reflect something true about God. Love moves first. Love notices first. Love initiates.

That is precisely what God has done for us in Jesus. He did not wait for us to figure things out or clean ourselves up. He made the first move. He sent His Son so that we might truly live, not just exist. For all who feel they will never be 'ready,' take heart, God already came. This is why John says, “We love because He first loved us.” Our love is not forced; it is responsive. It grows out of what Christ has already done.

Once we understand this, love stops being a task list. It becomes gratitude. It becomes worship. It becomes a natural overflow of recognizing that God has held nothing back from us.

John ends this section by saying, “If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Not out of guilt. Not out of pressure. But because loved people love people. When we remember how generously God has cared for us, we begin to extend that same grace to others.

This week, as Christmas draws near, we remember that before we ever reached for God, He reached for us. To help your family feel the 'reach' of God, consider incorporating a simple Advent countdown practice: light a candle each night and take a moment to name one way God moved first in history or in your personal experience. This ritual can deepen your anticipation of Christmas and provide daily reminders of God's initiating love.

Love began with Him.

Application

This week, help your family reflect on the truth that God made the first move. Explain that Christmas is God saying, “I am coming close to you.” Encourage your children to recognize the small ways people show love first in your home: a sibling sharing a toy without being asked, a parent offering comfort before tears fall, or someone volunteering to help with chores. Point out these moments when you see them. Naming these acts helps your family grow in awareness of how love initiates.

Choose one evening this week to talk about the idea that love begins with God. Share a simple story from your own day about someone who showed kindness first. Then ask your children where they noticed someone taking the first step in love. If needed, ask guiding questions like, “Did someone help you today before you asked?” or “Did you see someone at school doing something kind just to be kind?” This helps them connect the biblical truth to everyday experience.

As a family, choose a simple act of "first love" this week. It might mean reaching out to someone who seems quiet at school, praying for a neighbor, or surprising a family member with help before they ask. Write down your shared idea, place it somewhere visible, and commit to doing it together. When it’s done, mark the calendar with a gold star and thank God together. Celebrate the joy of spreading love by sharing your experiences or reflections during a family meal.

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

Before jumping into these questions, take a brief moment of silent reflection together. Encourage your children to think deeply about these ideas on their own.

• What does it mean that God loved us first?
• How does it feel to know that God moved toward us before we moved toward Him?
• What is one way you can show “first love” to someone this week?

Growth in Action

• For younger children: Cut out a paper heart and write “God Loved First” on it. Tape it to a place your child sees every day. When you pass by it, pause and briefly talk about how God made the first move toward us in Jesus.
• For older children or teens: Invite them to think of someone at school or in their friend group who might need encouragement. Challenge them to take the first step: send a message, offer help, or say a kind word. Tell them that even a small act can communicate deep care. Every message you send echoes the message God sent in Christ, bridging the gap with love and showing that just as God reached out to us first, we too can reach out to others.
• As a family: Pick one night this week to practice “first love.” Do something together that blesses someone else before they ask: bake cookies for a neighbor, write a note to a teacher, or offer to help another family. Talk afterward about how it felt to go first.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us first. Thank You for sending Your Son so that we might live through Him. Help our hearts remember that every act of love begins with You. Teach us to move toward others with the same grace and kindness You have shown to us. Let our home reflect the truth that Your love always takes the first step. Now send us, Father, to be the first to love wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.