Scripture has a lot to say about love. Depending on the translation you’re reading from, the word “love” appears between 300 to 500 times in the Bible! As we explore these kids Bible stories about love, it’s important to remember that the word “love” is incredibly diverse in Scripture. In fact, the Bible uses different words to describe different kinds of love. Perhaps the most well known, are the four Greek words used for love used in the New Testament:
- Storge: Affection – Love between family members.
- Philia: Friendship – Love between friends.
- Eros: Romance – Love between spouses.
- Agape: Unconditional Love – The love of God.
The Bible teaches us that love is at the center of the Christian faith. In its writings, we are told:
- To love God and our neighbor is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40)
- Without love our actions have no value (1 Corinthians 13:1)
- God, himself, is love. (1 John 4:8)
In this article we’ll explore 10 kids Bible stories about love, highlight key verses, and review points of application for our lives. We’ll also include links to teaching resources you can use to bring these stories to life with your children!
1. Abraham & Isaac: A Picture of Love
Summary (Genesis 22:1-19): This Abraham and Isaac kids Bible story is an edge of your seat tale of a father’s faith, love and obedience. As Abraham obeys God’s command to sacrifice his son Isaac, God intervenes and provides a replacement offering. This Old Testament story is one of the most vivid pictures we see of Jesus, and how he would lay his life down for the sins of mankind. Throughout this kids bible story about love we hear echoes of John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Key Verse: Genesis 22:8 – “Abraham answered, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’ And the two of them went on together.”
Application: Love comes at great cost. To truly love another, we must be willing to give our life away to them. This was pictured with Abraham and Isaac but was personified in Jesus’ death upon the cross.
Resources: Abraham & Isaac Kids Bible Lesson
2. Baby Moses: A Mother’s Love
Summary (Exodus 2:1-10): After the years of Joseph, a new Pharaoh commanded that all the baby boys born to the Hebrews be thrown into the Nile and drowned. Desperate to save her baby, a mother named Jochebed fashioned a basket for her child and sent it down the Nile River. Through Jachobed’s act of love and courage the basket was found by an Egyptian princess who raised the child as her own. Baby Moses would grow up to be one of the greatest figures in Israel’s history the one God would use to deliver his people from slavery!
Key Verse: Exodus 2:3 – “But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.”
Application: Raising a child is a parent’s greatest responsibility. While we love our children in many ways, our greatest act of love will be entrusting their life to the Lord. This kind of love requires great courage and faith both of these are exemplified by Moses’ mother.
Resources: Baby Moses Kids Bible Lesson
3. Samson & Delilah: A Bad Love Story
Summary (Judges 13-16): Samson was one of Israel’s judges, meaning that he helped to lead the country and defend against enemies. God gave him incredible physical strength to defeat the Philistine invasions. Unfortunately, he became entangled in a dubious romantic relationship with a woman named Delilah, which compromised his ability to lead. He was captured by the Philistines when he gave up the secret of his strength. He died in a final act of vengeance toward the Philistines.
Key Verse: Judges 16:20 – “Then she called, ‘Samson, the Philistines are upon you!’ He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”
Application: It’s easy to fall into a self-serving counterfeit love. This false love twists our affections inward rather than focusing them outward by serving God and others.
Resources: Samson & Delilah Kids Bible Lesson
4. Ruth & Naomi: Faithful Love
Summary (The Book of Ruth): This kids Bible story centers one of the great accounts of love and friendship recorded in the Bible. When the sons of Naomi pass away, she is convinced there is nothing but bitterness. But her daughter-in-law Ruth stands by her side and they travel back to Naomi’s homeland. There Ruth finds a new life, a new land, and a new love.
Key Verse: Ruth 1:16 – “But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”
Application: As Jesus teaches true love goes the extra mile for another. In this story, Ruth faithfully stands by Naomi through chaos and calamity. Her faithful love is an incredible example to us all.
Resources: Ruth & Naomi Kids Bible Lesson
5. Mary & Joseph: Trusting Love
Summary (Luke 2:1-21): The Christmas story is an epic tale of the Savior’s birth. But what can be missed is the incredible story of Mary and Joseph. Together they trust the promises of God, risk the lives and their reputations, and follow God’s lead on the adventure of a lifetime.
Key Verse: Luke 2:16-20 – So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Application: At the center of every thriving marriage is a love of God that serves as the foundation for loving one another. This love of God binds Joseph and Mary together as they experience the challenges and triumphs of the Christmas story.
Resources: Mary & Joseph Kids Bible Lesson
6. Love Your Enemies: Tough Love
Summary (Matthew 5:38-48): Jesus taught His disciples to imitate the love of God in every action, even in view of His law. Instead of looking for an opportunity to inflict harsh punishment, or return evil for evil, He told the disciples to seek a peaceable solution and to act in love and forgiveness. We are to respond as our Father in Heaven would respond. Love your enemies and do good to those who hurt you.
Key Verses: Matthew 5:43-44“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Application: Loving those who love us back is easy. What makes love tough is that we are to love those whom we don’t like. In doing so we imitate God who loved us while we were still sinners.
Resources: Love Your Enemies Kids Bible Lesson
7. The Prodigal Son: A Father’s Love
Summary (Luke 15:11–32): This parable, also known as the Parable of the Lost Son, tells the story of a foolish man who rejects his father and squanders his inheritance. Desperate, the Prodigal Son returns home in shame. But on his journey home the son is met by his father who lovingly wraps his arms around him overjoyed that his son has returned!
Key Verse: Luke 15:11 – “But while he (the prodigal son) was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
Application: This kids Bible story about love gives an incredible picture of our Father’s love for us. His love is forgiving, compassionate, and determined. Even when we sin he waits for us with open arms and an open heart.
Resources: The Prodigal Son Kids Bible Lesson
8. The Good Samaritan: Neighborly Love
Summary (Luke 10:25-37): This beloved story is the response of Jesus to the self-serving question of a lawyer. Who is my neighbor? Jesus answered by telling the story of a man left for dead and then rescued by a Samaritan. The point, according to Jesus, is that a true neighbor is anyone who shows mercy. In this story Jesus breaks the idea of love out of a rigid commandment and illustrates how it operates practically.
Key Verse: Luke 10:36-37 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Application: Love is not theoretical, something only to be pondered or written about. Instead, love is an action. It rushes to those in need, swoops them up, and brings them life!
Resources: The Good Samaritan Kids Bible Lesson
9. The Crucifixion: Sacrificial Love
Summary (The Gospels): This kids Bible story focuses on the greatest act of love the world will ever know, the crucifixion of Jesus. As recorded in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22 and John 18 Jesus (after being flogged, mocked and forced to wear a crown of thorns) gave his life on a Roman cross. But Jesus did this willingly, he died to pay for the sins of all mankind!
Key Verse: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Application: True love sacrifices. Or as Jesus says in John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” May we all be willing to put the lives of others before our own.
Resources: The Crucifixion Kids Bible Lesson
10. 1 Corinthians 13 Love Is: Love Defined
Summary (1 Corinthians 12:1-13): 1 Corinthians 13 contains some of the most famous words about love ever written. In this Bible story for kids we discover what love truly is, and why it is so important. Of all the gifts God has given us, nothing surpasses his love!
Key Verses: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Application: If you have ever wondered what love is then then 1 Corinthians 13 is a must read! Interestingly, in verses 4-8 if you replace the word “Love” with “Jesus” you find a compelling description of our Savior.
Resources: 1 Corinthians 13 Love Is Kids Bible Lesson
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