Love Your Neighbor: Teaching Children the Greatest Commandment

"Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" – Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

As Sunday School teachers and Christian parents, we are called to live out the greatest commandments Jesus gave us: to love God and our neighbors. But how do we teach these profound truths to children in a way that resonates with their hearts and minds? The answer lies not only in what we say but in how we live. Children learn best by observing the actions of the adults in their lives. When we model what it means to love our neighbors, we give them a living example of God’s love in action. How have you been a good example of loving your neighbor?

Why Loving Your Neighbor Matters

Loving our neighbors is central to the Christian faith. It’s how we demonstrate God’s love to the world. In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus connects loving God with loving others, showing that the two are inseparable. For children, understanding this commandment starts with seeing it lived out in the people they trust most—their parents, teachers, and church leaders.

When we love our neighbors, we show children that faith is not just about beliefs but about actions. It’s about caring for others, showing compassion, and being a light in the world. This lesson is especially important in a world where division and selfishness often take center stage.

How to Model Loving Your Neighbor

Start with Your Immediate Circle

Your “neighbor” isn’t just the person next door. It’s anyone God places in your path. Begin by showing love to your family, friends, and church community. Let children see you serving, encouraging, and forgiving those closest to you.

Practice Hospitality

Invite others into your home or classroom. Whether it’s a new family at church, a lonely neighbor, or a friend in need, hospitality is a tangible way to show love. Involve children in preparing meals, setting the table, or making welcome cards.

Serve Together

Look for opportunities to serve your community as a family or class. Volunteer at a shelter, clean up a park or visit a nursing home. These experiences teach children that loving your neighbor often means stepping out of your comfort zone.

Teach Empathy and Compassion

Help children understand the feelings and needs of others. This one is so important. When they see someone who is hurting or left out, encourage them to respond with kindness. If you read my blog post from last week on kindness, you’ll recall how important it is to start with kindness daily. Share stories from the Bible, like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), to illustrate what it means to love selflessly.

Forgive and Seek Reconciliation

Loving your neighbor isn’t always easy, especially when conflicts arise. Model forgiveness and teach children how to resolve disagreements with grace. Remind them that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

Pray for Others

Teach children to pray for their neighbors. Whether it’s a friend, a teacher, or someone they’ve never met. Praying for others helps cultivate a heart of love and compassion.

The Impact of Living Out Matthew 22:37-39

When we live out the greatest commandments, we create a legacy of love. Children who see us loving God and loving others will grow up understanding that their faith is meant to be lived out in a relationship with God and with people. They’ll learn that love is not just a feeling but a choice to serve, forgive, and care for others, even when it’s hard.

By modeling this lifestyle, we also help children see the bigger picture. Loving our neighbors is a way to point others to Jesus. When we show kindness to someone in need or forgive someone who has hurt us, we reflect the love of Christ and open doors for the gospel.

A Call to Action

As Sunday School teachers and parents, we have a unique opportunity to shape the next generation of Christ-followers. Let’s commit to living out Matthew 22:37-39 in our daily lives, not just for our growth but for the children watching us. Let’s pray for God to give us wisdom, patience, and creativity as we teach and model what it means to love our neighbors.

Remember, the lessons we teach today will ripple into the future. By loving our neighbors, we’re not just obeying Jesus’ commandment. We’re planting seeds of faith, kindness, and compassion that will bear fruit for years to come.

I’ll end with the same question I started with: How have you been a good example of loving your neighbor?