ABCs of Love

To teach the children the many ways we can show our love to others to be like Jesus

The children will explain that when we give to others, we show love.

• Tell the children that you are going to play a short game that will help them to think of the many different ways they can show their love to others.
• Remind the children how much Saint Monica loved her son Augustine. Ask: What did Monica do for many, many years until Augustine was baptized? (prayed for him)
• Write the letter "p" and the word "pray" on the board. Note that pray begins with p. Tell the children that praying for someone is one way we can show our love. Ask if they can think of other ways they could show their love that begin with the letter p. (play with someone who's lonesome; provide clothing for the poor; plan a bake sale)
• Write the children's suggestions on the board, and remind them that the p words are action words, the words that tell what they are doing.
• Tell the children that you will say a letter of the alphabet. They may then take turns calling out ways they can show their love for others that begin with that letter. Set a goal of perhaps five ideas before going on to another letter.
• Conclude by reminding the children that when they show their love to others, they not only make others feel good, but they feel good themselves knowing that they are living like Jesus.

Logic/Math Smart, Word Smart

Choose letters that will be easiest for children to connect with an action verb, such as c for call, care, clean, cheer or g for give, get, go, greet.