This Month In Safari :: I can love like Jesus.

March 4, 2023 | 6 weeks - 2 years

We’re Learning… I can love like Jesus.
Bible Story: A Short Man (Zacchaeus) ● Luke 19:1-10

Bible Story Activity

WHAT YOU NEED: Bible (Use a children’s Bible if you have one.) 

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 “A Short Man” — Luke 19:1-10 from the Bible. (CLICK HERE for children’s Bible recommendations.) 


TODDLER ACTIVITIES

Complete the activities below with your toddler to help them learn we can love like Jesus.

March 5:

Response Activity:

WHAT YOU DO: 

  • Say, “Let’s learn some ways we can love others like Jesus does!”
  • Read the prompts below and encourage your toddler to respond. 
    • “You can love like Jesus by sharing with your friends. Point to a toy you can share with others!” 
    • “You can love like Jesus by comforting your friends when they get hurt. Pretend to comfort a friend and give yourself a BIG hug!”
    • “You can love like Jesus by being kind to others, even when they aren’t nice to you. Show me your biggest SMILE!”
    • “You can love like Jesus by helping your parents clean the house. Let’s  pretend to clean up some toys!”
    • “You can love like Jesus by praying for your friends. Let’s say a prayer for our friends! Dear Jesus, thank You for our friends. Please remind them how much You love them this week. We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
  • After the activity, say, “Remember, we can love like Jesus and show everyone how much He loves them. Who can love like Jesus?” Encourage your toddler  to say, “I can love like Jesus!”

March 12:

Memory Verse Activity: 

WHAT YOU NEED: Safari Playlist

WHAT YOU DO: 

  • Before the activity, practice saying the memory verse and doing the motions a few times.
  • Play the Safari playlist and 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 these motions:

          “Love each other (hug self)
          as I (point up)
          have loved you.” (point to self)
          John 15:12b (open hands like a book)

  • After saying the verse, turn the music on again and repeat the activity every 30 seconds for as long as your toddler is interested.
  • After the activity, say, “Great job! Who can love like Jesus?” Encourage your toddler to say, “I can love like Jesus!”

March 19:

Song Activity:

WHAT YOU DO: 

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

           We can love like Jesus, yes we can! (clap, clap)
           We can love like Jesus, yes we can! (clap, clap)
           We can love like Jesus,
           and be kind to those who meet us.
           We can love like Jesus, yes we can! (clap, clap)

           We can love like Jesus, yes we can! (stomp, stomp)
           We can love like Jesus, yes we can! (stomp, stomp)
           We can love like Jesus,
           and be kind to those who meet us.
           We can love like Jesus, yes we can! (stomp, stomp)

           We can love like Jesus, yes we can! (“Hooray!”)
           We can love like Jesus, yes we can! (“Hooray!”)
           We can love like Jesus,
           and be kind to those who meet us.

           We can love like Jesus, yes we can! (“Hooray!”)

  • You can also put all three actions together for a fourth verse. (clap, clap, stomp, stomp, “Hooray!”)
  • Continue the activity for as long as your toddler is interested.
  • After the activity, say, “Great job! Who can love like Jesus?” Encourage your toddler to say, “I can love like Jesus!”

March 26:

Response Activity:

WHAT YOU DO: 

  • Say, “Let’s learn about some ways we can love others like Jesus does!”
  • Read the list of prompts from the back page and encourage toddlers to respond.
    • “If you can love like Jesus by sharing with others, wave your arms!”
    • “If you can love like Jesus by being kind, show me the BIGGEST smile you can give!”
    • “If you can love like Jesus by helping others, clap your hands!”
    • “If you can love like Jesus by praying for others, fold your hands and close your eyes like you’re going to pray!”
    • “If you can love like Jesus by comforting your friends when they’re sad, give yourself a big hug!”
  • After the activity, say, “Great job! Remember, we can love like Jesus and show everyone how much He loves them. Who can love like Jesus?” Encourage your toddler to say, “I can love like Jesus!”