The Love Quiz

Share with youngsters ideas about love in action - not just on Valentine's Day, but year-round. Keep your love strong, active, consistent, no-matter-what. And never forget: RILY!

By Caryl W. Krueger

Categories: Love

Expressions of love are essential to life every single day - not just during the Valentine season. Here's a little quiz for parents and youngsters to show how love can bless and solve challenges at the same time. There are many good answers to these questions in addition to the quotations from the King James version of the Bible. Take up each question one-at-a-time and encourage discussion, then prayer, then action.

1. What is our relationship to God? "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God:" (I John 3:1). Remind youngsters daily of this precious unbreakable relationship.
2. When in school, at play, or away from home...is God there? "I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, .....nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God..." (Romans 8:38,39). Whether a youngster is cycling down a hill or away at camp, show him that he is safe in God's hands.
3. But what about mean kids, show-offs, those with grudges? Kids are protected and confident in these wisdom lines: "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge...but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18). "Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you" (Luke 6:27,28). That's a tall order, and a key demand is to "pray for them."
4. With the economy vacillating, where can a family find stability? Start by replacing fear with trust in God. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:... (I John 4:18). And remember Paul's words to young Timothy: "the love of money is the root of all evil....follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness" (I Timothy 6:10, 11). Living those qualities will abundantly and effortlessly provide whatever is needed.
5. How can we help those who are lacking employment, housing, family, funds? "Love ye therefore the stranger:" (Deuteronomy 10:19). "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matthew 22:39). We treat others as we would like to be treated - with dignity, with love, with prayer. We can also respond with practical help to elderly neighbors, needy food banks, church activities. "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;" (Romans 12:10). Show that you actually do "prefer" others in need.
6. With so much hatred in the world, can we count on the support of an all powerful God? Yes, "he is thy life, and the length of thy days:" (Deuteronomy 30:20). "And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour;" (Zechariah 8:17). Rather, "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind:" (Luke 10:27). And that ought to keep you busy!
7. And how can a parent instill this comforting love in children? "...let us not love in word, neither in tongue but in deed and in truth" (I John 3:18). But do remember to tell children daily how much you love them, and teach them to use the secret word "RILY" (Remember I love you). Keep your love strong, active, consistent, no-matter-what. Love IS the answer.
8. Share with youngsters ideas about love in action - not just on Valentine's Day, but year-round.