Lily: What is the Golden Rule?

Shep: It's the verse in the Sermon on the Mount in which Jesus explains how to love one another and care for one another - the way we would want to be treated.

Lily: Oh, so if someone pushes you, you wouldn't turn around and push them back?

Shep: Right. But it is more than that. We must do good to others because it's the most natural thing in the world for us to be good -- not because we might get something in return.

Lily: You mean we should treat people the way we really want to be treated, no matter what they do back to us!

Shep: That's right. Sometimes it can feel as if we're not being treated right, so why should we bother trying to be nice. In other words, we might not be sure who is supposed to start being nice first!

Lily: Oh, right! So we really need to be doing good all the time. That will help others do the same back to us and then no one will be "first" - we'll just all be doing good at the same time.

Shep: Exactly. And we won't be waiting to get something in return - we'll just enjoy being good because that's what God wants us to do.

Lily: I think I've got it. Look Shep, you're out of water, let me get you another bowl.

Shep: Thanks, Lily. That was thoughtful.

Lily: Boys and Girls, you could write down some of the ways you can practice the Golden Rule each day.

Shep: And every time you use the Golden Rule as a guide for how to treat someone, you'll feel better and better about using it all the time!

Lily: It will become the most natural thing you do!