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12. Dive Deeper: God First Loved Us (1 John 4:19)
- Collected Joys
- Nov 20
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 21
About our Dive Deeper Series
Welcome! This post accompanies our newest book, Memory Verses in Action —created to help kids not only memorize Scripture but also live it out in daily life.
Each post of our Dive Deeper series includes extra resources for every verse in the book—featuring activities, songs, teaching videos, and reflection questions to help kids understand and apply God’s Word.
To learn more about the book and explore all the available resources, click here.
Dive Deeper: 1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.”
— 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
God’s love always comes first. Before we were born, before we learned to walk or talk, and even before we knew who He was—God loved us. His love is the reason we can love others. When kids learn that God loved them first, it helps them understand why kindness, forgiveness, and compassion matter. They don’t have to come up with love on their own; they can share the love God has already poured into their hearts.
In this post, you’ll find simple ways to help children see how deeply God loves them and how that love overflows into everyday life—through kind actions, gentle words, and thoughtful choices that reflect His heart.
Activity Idea: Love Walk Scavenger Hunt
Take a walk indoors or outdoors and look for things that remind you of God’s love.
Ideas to Look For:
Something beautiful God made
Something that keeps you safe
Something that makes you smile
Someone who shows love to others
After each one, say together: “God loved us first!”
Activity Idea: Love in Action Cards
Kids create small cards they can give to others as an expression of God’s love.
What to Do:
Fold small pieces of paper in half to make mini cards.
On the front, write: “God loves you!”
Inside, your child writes or draws one way they will show love (helping, sharing, being kind).
Connection: Explain that we show love because God loved us first, and these cards help spread His love to others.
Activity Idea: “Fill the Jar with Love” Challenge
Show how loving actions add up.
What You Need:
A jar and small paper hearts.
What to Do:
Each time your child shows love at home—helps without being asked, uses kind words, forgives quickly—add a heart to the jar.
At the end of the week, count the hearts and celebrate how God’s love flowed through them.
Connection: Every loving action is a response to God’s great love for us!
Additional Discussion Topics and Questions
1 John 4:19 teaches a simple but life-changing truth: our love begins with God’s love for us. Use these questions to help your child explore what God’s love looks like and how it can overflow into everyday life.
It can be helpful to break this verse down into four big truths:
1. God Loved Us First
Before we ever loved Him—or even knew Him—God already loved us. His love comes first, and it never changes. Kids can rest in the truth that God’s love always begins everything.
2. God’s Love Fills Our Hearts
We don’t have to come up with love on our own. God fills our hearts with His love, and that love gives us the strength to be kind, forgive quickly, and care for others.
3. We Love Others Because God Loved Us First
When we show love through kind words, helping hands, and gentle actions, we’re sharing the love God has already given us. Our love reflects His love to the people around us.
Additional discussion questions:
Who loved us first?
Help your child see that God’s love always comes before ours.
How did God show His love for us?
Talk about Jesus, the cross, Bible story examples, and everyday blessings.
How does God show love for you today?
Invite them to think about protection, family, comfort, forgiveness, etc.
How does God’s love help us love others?
Explain that we love because God loved us first.
Who can you show God’s love to this week?
Help them name a person at home, school, or church.
What are some ways you can show God’s love?
Sharing, helping, forgiving, using gentle words, etc.
Is it always easy to love others? What about when someone is unkind?
Connect God’s love to forgiveness and patience.
Who wrote this verse?
John—the disciple and follower of Jesus.
What was he sometimes called?
John was called “the disciple Jesus loved.”
Why do you think John talked about love so much?
Because he experienced Jesus’ love closely and wanted others to know it.
🎶 Song / Video
Enjoy this short Bible story video from LifeKids. This simple devotional helps kids understand how God’s love began everything—and how His love inspires us to love everyone.
Sing along with this fun 1 John 4:19 Song Action Video from Mt. Olive Lutheran Church! Do the motions together and celebrate God’s amazing love!
🌟 Closing Thought
1 John 4:19 reminds us that every act of love begins with God. His love fills our hearts first, and that love helps us show kindness, forgiveness, and care to others. Encourage your child this week to look for simple ways to share God’s love, remembering that they can love because God loved them first.
✨ Next Dive Deeper:
Philippians 4:13 – I Can Do All Things
In our next Dive Deeper lesson, we’ll explore how God gives us strength to face hard things with courage. Kids will learn that they don’t have to rely on their own power—Jesus gives them the strength they need every day.
Click below to begin the next lesson, or visit our Dive Deeper page for more tools and resources that go along with Memory Verses in Action.
Our Favorite Kids’ Bibles & Devotionals
Looking for more ways to help your child grow in God’s Word? Here are a few of our favorite Bibles, devotionals, and faith-building books for kids! These are wonderful tools to use alongside the Memory Verses in Action series and to encourage everyday conversations about faith at home.
Please note: This section contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we personally use and love!
This is one of our top recommendations! All the verses in Memory Verses in Action come from the NIV translation (except for Philippians 4:13), so kids can easily find and follow each passage in this Bible. It’s filled with colorful illustrations, fun facts, and “Live It!” features that help kids apply God’s Word to daily life. This is a great Bible for elementary-aged readers!
In addition to the standard version, check out this adorable personalized edition. Add your child’s name to make their Bible extra special!
➡️ Explore More Faith Resources
Please visit the links below to see all of our recommended resources:
Thank you for joining us!
Find more resources for Memory Verses in Action below.
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