Free Gospel-Centered Sunday School Curriculum
for Elementary Kids

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Love Fulfills the Law
(Romans 13:8-14)

The apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Rome. He wanted them to understand what it really means to follow Jesus. Paul told them something very important about love. He said, "Owe no one anything, except to love each other." This means we should pay back all our debts, like money we owe. But there is one debt we can never finish paying. We always owe love to other people. Love is a gift that keeps on giving.

Paul reminded them of the commandments God gave long ago. He listed some of them: "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet." Coveting means wanting something that belongs to someone else. Paul said that all these commandments are summed up in one simple rule: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If you truly love your neighbor, you will not hurt them. You will not steal from them or lie about them. Love does not do anything wrong to other people. So love is the complete fulfillment of God's law.

Paul also told them something about the time they were living in. He said the night is almost over, and the day is coming soon. He was talking about the time when Jesus will return. He wanted them to live like people who belong to the daytime. They should not be like people who sleep in the darkness. Instead, they should be awake and alert. Paul warned them to put aside the deeds of darkness. These are things like wild parties, drunkenness, and quarreling. They should not give in to jealous feelings or wrong desires.

Instead, Paul gave them a clear command. He said, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ." This means we should live like Jesus. We should do the things He would do and make choices that please Him. We should not make plans to satisfy our own selfish desires. Paul wanted the Roman believers to remember that they were children of the light. They did not belong to the night anymore. They belonged to Jesus, and He was coming back soon. They needed to be ready by loving one another and living holy lives.

This message was not just for the Romans. It is for us too. We all owe love to the people around us. We can never love enough, but we can keep trying. When we love our neighbors, we are living the way God wants us to live. We are showing that we belong to Jesus. And we are getting ready for the day when He will return. Love is the best way to get ready for that great day.

A Curious Question

Paul said we should "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" like we put on a coat or armor - what does it look like to wear Jesus every single day, and how does love hold it all together?

Old Testament Connection

Paul was not making up something new when he said love fulfills the law. He was pointing all the way back to the Old Testament. God gave His people the law through Moses. The law showed them how to live and how to love God and others. But the people could not keep the law perfectly. They kept breaking it. They needed someone who could keep it perfectly for them. That someone is Jesus Christ. Jesus lived a perfect life of love. He never sinned. He loved God with all His heart and He loved His neighbor as Himself. Then He died on the cross to pay for all the times we have failed to love. When we trust in Jesus, His perfect love covers us. Paul said to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ." This means we get dressed in Jesus's perfect love. It is not our own love that saves us. It is Jesus's love that saves us. And because He loves us, we can learn to love others too. The law was a shadow pointing forward to the perfect love of Christ.

Discussion Questions

  1. Paul said we should owe love to everyone. What are some practical ways you can show love to your family and friends this week?
  2. Why do you think Paul compared living without Jesus to being asleep in the dark? What does it mean to wake up and put on the light of Christ?
  3. How does loving your neighbor help you obey God's commandments like "do not steal" or "do not lie"?

So What? What Can I Do?

  • Check your love account. Think about the people you see every day. Is there anyone you owe more love to? Maybe a sibling you have been arguing with or a friend you have ignored. Make a plan to show them love today.
  • Put on Jesus every morning. When you get dressed in the morning, remember that you are also putting on Jesus. Ask yourself: What would Jesus do in this situation? How would He talk to this person? Try to act like Him all day long.
  • Let love stop you. Before you say something mean or take something that is not yours, let love stop you. Ask yourself: Is this loving my neighbor? If it is not loving, do not do it.

Memorize God's Word

Romans 13:10

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; hold one hand out flat in front of you, palm down, then wag a finger to say "no wrong."

therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. place both hands over your heart and then spread them wide as if to cover everything.

Praying with Kids

Dear Father, thank you for loving us first. Help us to put on Jesus every day like we put on our clothes. Teach us to love our neighbors in big ways and small ways. Forgive us for the times we have not been loving. Help us to be awake and ready for Jesus to return. We ask this in His name, Amen.

Craft or Activity

Love Armor Paper Doll

Materials Checklist:

How to Make the Love Armor Paper Doll:

  1. Draw a simple person shape on the cardstock and cut it out. This is you.
  2. Cut out a large heart shape from cardstock to be the "breastplate of love." Decorate it with bright colors and the word "LOVE."
  3. Glue the heart breastplate onto the front of your paper doll.
  4. Cut out two small strips of paper to be "armor straps" that go over the shoulders and attach the breastplate in place.
  5. On the back of the doll, write Romans 13:10: "Love does no wrong to a neighbor."
  6. Use the brass fasteners to attach the arms so they can move. Talk about how love makes our arms do good things, not bad things.

Effective Teaching Techniques

For Younger Children: Focus on the idea of "putting on Jesus" like a coat. Bring a coat or a large shirt to class and physically act out putting it on. Talk about how wearing Jesus means being kind and helpful. Let them draw pictures of themselves wearing a "Jesus coat" made of love.

Prep Shortcut: Pre-cut the paper doll shapes for younger children to save time. Have all the materials laid out in individual baggies so each child can grab their own set quickly. Print the memory verse on small cards for children to take home.

Classroom Management: For the craft, group children around tables with shared supplies. Have one child at each table be the "supply runner" to keep things organized. Use a calm voice and play soft music during the craft time to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

For Older Kids: Challenge them to write down one specific way they can show love to someone they struggle with. Have them create a more detailed paper doll with different pieces of armor representing love, patience, kindness, and self-control. Discuss what it means to be "children of the light" in their school environment.