Dugout Devotions - The Overflowing of God's Love
Letting Love Splash Into Our Lives
Start by asking the kids, “What would you like to have more of?” Give them a moment to think and share their answers. Encourage them to consider how these extra things could make their lives—or the lives of others—more exciting and fun. They might mention more stuffed animals, video games, or Halloween candy.
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think having more stuff can make us happy?
Encourage responses that reflect on the joy of sharing or enjoying things together.
Can you think of a time when sharing something you loved made you or someone else happy?
This can prompt stories about sharing toys, snacks, or experiences.
What do you think it means to have extra love?
Lead them to consider love as something that can be shared and multiplied.
Pivot to God's Love:
Now, let’s think about having extra love. What are some things we can do with extra love?
Share it with friends, family, and our community.
Show love to God through prayer and worship.
Extend love to strangers, siblings, pets, and even nature!
Discussion Questions:
4. How can we show love to people we don’t know well?
Responses might include being kind, helping others, or smiling at someone.
What are some ways we can show love to our pets?
Encourage ideas about care, attention, and playtime.
How do you think God feels when we share love?
This can lead to insights about the joy of God and the importance of loving one another.
God's Love Overflowing:
Tell the kids that God’s love touches every part of the world—every person, every plant, and every animal. Explain that Christians believe God’s love is like a cup filled with water that overflows as more water is poured in. There’s no cup or bucket large enough to contain God’s love!
As God’s love is poured into us, it overflows and splashes into every part of our lives, touching everyone around us.
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, thank You for Your overflowing love. Help us to recognize all the ways we can share that love with others—our friends, families, pets, and even strangers. May our hearts be filled to the brim so that we can spread Your love in the world. Help us to remember that no one is too far away to receive Your love. We’ll talk to you later. Amen.”