Note to parent or teacher: This 45- to 60-minute lesson plan is the fifth part of a five-part series of lesson plans that highlight the various aspects of the lesson objective “God’s Law of Love” (Christian Life and Faith: Biblical and Christian Foundation: God’s Law of Love-1a–h).

Read “Love, the Greatest Commandment, Part 8: Give, Don’t Steal.”

Ask your child if she has experienced a time when she wanted to take something that didn’t belong to her but decided against it. Talk about how it turned out. It’s quite possible she wasn’t given something similar as happened in this story. Talk about the other good things that could have resulted from having made the right decision, such as a sense of well-being or other positive results.

Read “Encourage Others—Be Courteous.”

Discuss the benefits of being generous in doing things for others.

Read “Bible Adventures with Joe Key: Out at Sea.” Then read Acts 27 and 28:1–10.

List, with your child’s participation, what Paul gained by his generosity, such as his life was spared, he was respected, he won others over to the message of God’s love through Jesus, etc.

Read “God’s Law of Love.”

Read “Life of Friends: Greedy Kitties.”

Ask your child if he remembers a time when he was greedy, and nearly lost (or did lose) the privilege of having something he wanted due to not being willing to share it with others. For example, he had been told he could only have a privilege if he shared with another, or a toy broke during a struggle over who got to play with it.

Then talk about a time he shared something, and yet in the end, he was still able to fully enjoy the thing he had wanted. You might have a story you can share about your own experiences along these lines.

Read “Love, the Greatest Commandment, Part 9: Speak Well of Others.”

Discuss how this story could have turned out if the boy hadn’t spoken up on behalf of Asher.

Read “Life of Friends: Our Words.”

Read “Jury and Judge for a Day.”

Talk about (if applicable) a time your child has spoken well of others and ways that might have helped the person. Also, if applicable, talk about damage done if your child knows of a time when she took part in talking about others in a hurtful manner.

Listen to “Audio: James 3.” Or read James 3 here.

Additional reading:

• “Every Feather”

Read “Love, the Greatest Commandment, Part 10: Be Happy for the Good Fortune of Others.”

Read “Life of Friends: Have Friends or Gloat.”

Examine together with your child if he has missed out on any friendships due to being jealous over another’s good fortune that he would like to have himself.

Read “Standing on God’s Word: Contentment.”

Discuss how when we focus on what we don’t have, we often miss noticing what we do have. Ask your child to think if she has made this error in any aspect of life, and if so, take time to look at that situation from the standpoint of gratitude and contentment.

Read “The Life of Friends: Honor Our Differences.”

Examine together with your child his friends and acquaintances to see if there is anyone who might be feeling left out and in need of appreciation for their own set of talents.

Read “Standing on God’s Word: Be a Good Listener.”

Discuss how listening to another person’s tale of good fortune is important. Ask your child to think of times she has enjoyed talking about something good that has happened to her and how she would have felt if no one had listened.

Additional reading:

• “But to Understand”