How Do We Teach Love to Children?

What comes to mind when you are asked to explain love to a child? Perhaps you picture love as feelings of fondness, affection, and love. Or, you would describe what is written in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Love is patient; love is kind; it is not jealous. It does not boast and is not proud. 

It does not act rudely and does not seek its own advantage. It is not easily angered and keeps no record of others’ wrongs. 

It does not rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth. 

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

In practice, teaching love to others, especially to children, is not as simple as describing it. How can we introduce and build a life founded on love for them?

Teach Children about Love from an Early Age

As God’s people, we must love God and others, because God is love (1 John 4:8). This means love is a character trait that must be nurtured from an early age. Parents need to teach it to their children and begin in the family or at home.

Teach It Repeatedly

Not only should we begin teaching children about love as early as possible, we must also teach it repeatedly. Start from the point the Lord told Moses in Deuteronomy 6:7:

“... you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you are on the road, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

I like this verse because it reminds and encourages me as a parent. God’s Word rebukes me because I have not yet been a good parent to our two children. The verse above also urges me to learn from mistakes, correct them, equip myself, and keep growing according to God’s will.

Teach children about love in our daily lives, for example through discussion, both visually and verbally. They will learn by hearing and seeing the expressions of love that we show them in everyday life. 

3 Ways to Grow Love in a Child’s Heart

1. Family Devotion

Sunday school plays a major role in increasing our two children’s spiritual understanding of God’s Word, but that is not enough. We hold family devotion every Sunday. Every family member is involved in this family devotion There are those who prepare praise songs, testimonies, and also verses from God’s Word.

We have seen for ourselves the fruit of this activity: children who are growing in godly character. They are quick to obey, able to cooperate, have close relationships with the family, and clearly, love their parents and siblings more.

If your child is still too young and not yet fluent in reading, you can explain God’s Word through simple and engaging stories. There are many stories about love, such as Jesus and Levi, Jesus and Zacchaeus, the good Samaritan, and others.

2. Set An Example

Children learn most quickly by imitating. To teach them about love, we ourselves need to practice love in front of them, namely by:

• Do Not Compare

Do not compare a child with their sibling (let alone with another child). If you have two or more children, love them equally. Love is not jealous. So, do not stir up jealousy in them. They need to feel loved and receive the same loving treatment from their parents so that they can express love to others in a healthy and natural way.

• Do Not Be Quick-Tempered

If we treat others well, children will follow our example. The same is true of negative behavior. Cursing at drivers or other road users, or even getting into fights, are examples of negative behavior. Love is patient, so teach them that patience so they understand the importance of boundaries and tolerance toward others.

Show good speech toward your children, spouse, parents, neighbors, and friends. The way we treat others will be seen and imitated by children. This does not automatically mean that if they behave badly, it is certainly because they copied you. However, you need to remember how important a parent’s example is in teaching godly character to their sons and daughters.

3. Bonding Time

Human connection plays an important role in nurturing love within a child. Frequently doing activities together as a family will help them strengthen bonds of love with others, including by:

• Playing Together

By playing together, children can learn to love their siblings or friends. For example, through games that require cooperation, such as putting together puzzle, building a playhouse, role-playing as a seller and buyer in a market, and so on.

Of course, there will be potential for disagreements or small quarrels between children. When this happens, you can mediate and provide explanation so that they can learn the meaning of togetherness.

• Sharing Together

While playing together, teach children to share, for example by sharing toys. However, if they do not want to, do not force them to do it because we also need to respect their ownership rights. Cultivate the desire to share not by force, but from their own conviction.

With full awareness that we are not perfect parents, let us strive to become parents who are good enough Teach love to children through regular family worship, a good example, and by giving them opportunities to build bonds with siblings and peers. May they continue to grow in the grace of the Lord. Amen!

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