Safari :: God Loves Me

We’re Learning… God loves me.
Bible Story: Jesus and the Children  Luke 18:15-17

Bible Story Activity

WHAT YOU NEED: Bible (Use a children’s Bible if you have one or use this Bible story card at home.) 

WHAT YOU SAY: “I love reading the Bible and spending time with Jesus. Let’s read our Bible story together right now!”

WHAT YOU DO: Read “Jesus and the Children” — Luke 18:15-17 from the Bible. 

 

TODDLER ACTIVITIES
Complete the following activities below with your toddler to help them learn that God loves them.

February 7:

Game Activity: God Loves Us

WHAT YOU SAY: “In today’s Bible story, Jesus showed the children in the crowd how much God loves them. Let’s play a fun game to help us remember that we are important to God and He loves us, too!”

WHAT YOU DO: 

  • Read the prompts below and encourage your toddler to respond. 
    • “Let me see your happy face! (Pause.) If you know God loves you when you’re happy, clap your hands.”
    • “Show me see your sad face! (Pause.) If you know God loves you when you’re sad, pat your head.”
    • “Let me see your excited face! (Pause.) If you know God loves you when you’re excited, wave your arms in the air.”
    • “Show me your tired face! (Pause.) If you know God loves you when you’re tired, give yourself a hug.”
    • “Can you show me your silly face? (Pause.) If you know God loves you when you’re silly, pat the ground.”
  • Say, “Remember, God loves you and He always will. Who loves you?” Encourage your toddler to say, “God loves me!”

 

February 14:

Memory Verse Activity: Memory Freeze

WHAT YOU NEED: Safari Worship Playlist 

WHAT YOU DO:

  • Say, “Our memory verse helps us remember that God loves us!”
  • Lead your toddler in saying 1 John 4:7b three times. Say the verse, line by line, encouraging your toddler to repeat and complete the actions after you. 

“Love comes (hugs self)
from God.” (point up)
1 John 4:7b (open hands like a book)

  • Then have a dance party to help your toddler remember the memory verse.
  • After about 30 seconds, pause the music and encourage your toddler to stand very still or FREEZE.
  • Lead them in saying the memory verse with the actions. Then turn the music on again and repeat the activity every 30 seconds.

 

February 21:

Song Activity: God Loves You

WHAT YOU DO: 

  • Lead your toddler in singing the following to the tune of “If You’re Happy And You Know It.”

    If God loves you and you know it, clap your hands.
    If God loves you and know it, clap your hands.
    If God loves you and you know it, and you really want to show it,
    If God loves you and you know it, clap your hands.

    If God loves you and you know it, stomp your feet.
    If God loves you and know it, stomp your feet.
    If God loves you and you know it, and you really want to show it,
    If God loves you and you know it, stomp your feet.

    If God loves you and you know it, shout, “Hooray!”
    If God loves you and know it, shout, “Hooray!”
    If God loves you and you know it, and you really want to show it,
    If God loves you and you know it, shout, “Hooray!”

    You can also put all three actions together for a fourth verse. (clap clap, stomp stomp, “Hooray!”)

  • After the activity, say, “Wow, great job singing! Who loves you?” Encourage your toddler to say, “God loves me!”        

     

February 28:

Coloring Activity: Jesus and the Children

WHAT YOU NEED: Activity page, crayons or markers

WHAT YOU DO: 

  • Print off the activity page and give it to your child. 
  • Encourage your child to color the picture of Jesus and the children.
  • After your toddler is finished coloring, point to the page and review the Bible story:
    • Who do you see in the picture? (Jesus, children)
    • Did Jesus show the children that God loves them and they’re important to Him? (yes)
    • Does God love you, too? (yes)

WHAT YOU SAY: “Wow, great job! Remember, Jesus showed the children that they were important to God. You’re important to God, too! He loves you so much. Who loves you?” Encourage your toddler to say, “God loves me!”