Love Your Neighbor
Engineer Courtney decides to move so that she doesn't have to be nice to her neighbor.
Start Lesson
Large Group Instructions
Countdown From 10
Rules
WelcomeMaterials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)
Host and Co-Host enter dressed in overalls.
Host
Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors! I’m so glad that you are here.
Co-Host
We have so many friends at the Train Station. Do you think that God wants us to have friends? He sure does. God created us to have friends and family we can love.
Host
I think it would be fun to say, “Hi!” to our friends. Sometimes, someone might say that the kids sitting next to you are your neighbors. Can you turn to the kids sitting beside you and say, “Hi, neighbor!”
Host and Co-Host wave at each other.
Co-Host
I have a fun idea. Let’s stand and practice different ways to greet our neighbors. We’ll call out something to do, and you can do it with each neighbor standing beside you.
Have the kids stand and practice different greetings such as a smile, handshake, high-five, fist bump, wave, thumbs up, etc.
Host
That was so much fun. With this many “neighbors” visiting at the Train Station, I know that today will be a fun, fun day.
Co-Host
I know something fun we can do with our neighbors. Let’s say, “Choo-choo!”
Engage 1Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Rope, Heavy Item
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
Oh, no! Oh, no! This is terrible. Just awful. I’m so sad. (Frown) Jr. Conductors, can you make the saddest face ever?
Host
Why are you so sad?
Co-Host
Engineer Courtney is moving away from Elmer because she doesn’t want to be his neighbor or be kind to him. Since I don’t live next door to you, does that mean I can’t be nice to you?
Host
No, it doesn’t. Let’s stand and practice the Big Point again, and then we’ll discover what that verse from the Bible means.
Host
Love Your Neighbor!
Co-Host
But we’re not neighbors. We live far apart.
Host
The Bible teaches us that anyone is our neighbor, not just the people who live next door. That’s because Jesus wants us to treat everyone with kindness and love.
Co-Host
Whew, that makes me feel so much better. I’m glad that I can be kind to you.
Host
I have an idea. Let’s practice working together as “neighbors.” We’re going to sing a song together. Some of our friends will help pull this heavy (item) across the stage while we sing. Make sure you all work together.
Play the video. Have the kids pull the item attached to the rope. Encourage them to pull it all the way across the stage/room.
Co-Host
Great job! That song is true. It’s so much better to work with our neighbors, and really that means anyone, to do what God wants us to do.
Host
We please God when we love our neighbors. Let’s see if Engineer Courtney can learn our Big Point before she moves away.
Engage 2Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
I’m glad that the letter “B” didn’t sting Inspector Nigel.
Host
Me, too. He helped Engineer Courtney learn our Big Point. Let’s say the Big Point again,
Host
Love Your Neighbor!
Co-Host
I liked the verse that Inspector Nigel shared from the Bible. Mark 12:31 (NIrV) says, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
Host
God created us all. Some of us look similar, and some look different. Stand up if you are wearing a red shirt. (Pause) Look at our friends. Would it be a wise choice to not love these people because of their shirt color? No.
Co-Host
You can sit down. Stand up if you have brown or black hair. (Pause) Would it be a good choice to only love people with brown or black hair? No, that wouldn’t be loving our neighbor or following our Big Verse. You can sit down.
Host
Stand up if you are a boy. (Pause) Would it be kind to not be friends with boys? No, that wouldn’t. You can sit down. Some things about us are the same and some are different. That’s okay because that’s how God made us.
Co-Host
We shouldn’t be unkind just because someone is different. We should love our neighbors, and anyone we meet is a neighbor we can love.
Host
Stand up if God loves you. Guess what? Everyone should stand up because God loves us all. Let’s thank God by singing a song to Him.
Big Story
Optional, play soft instrumental music.
You have a chance to be a good neighbor today by praying for the person sitting beside you. Put your hand on the shoulder of the person next to you and repeat this prayer after me. “Dear God, please help my friend have a good week. Amen.”
Engage 3Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
I’m so glad that Engineer Courtney isn’t going to move away from the Train Station.
Host
Me, too! She decided to follow the Big Point and be kind to Elmer. Let’s all practice our Big Point again,
Host
Love Your Neighbor!
Co-Host
It was sad when the man in the Big Story was hurt by those robbers. I’m glad that the Samaritan man stopped to help him. He was a true neighbor.
Host
You can tell your family about what you learned about the Good Samaritan when you do the Big Do this week.
Host
Do something kind for someone else. You can make a card for someone, bake a yummy snack, or help a neighbor with something they need to do.
Co-Host
I have a fun idea! When we go to our Small Groups, we can color a card for someone right now. You could give it to someone after church today.
Host
That’s a great idea. Remember our Big Point,
Host
Love Your Neighbor!
In the Small Group, provide coloring utensils and the included color sheet. Allow the kids to decorate a card to give to someone after church.
Big Review
Did our Big Point say Love People You Like or Love Your Neighbor?
Why did Engineer Courtney want to move? She was mad at Elmer Was she supposed to be kind to Elmer even if she doesn’t live next door? Yes
Mark 12:31 (NIrV), “Love your neighbor as you love (your pets / yourself).”
In our Big Story, who stopped to help the man who was hurt? Samaritan Was he a good neighbor to the hurt man? Yes
What did Conductor Carl tell us to do in the Big Do? Do something kind for someone else
Clean Up
