Matthew 22:37-39

What Does Matthew 22:37-39 Mean?

Jesus summed up the entire Bible in two sentences. Number one: love God with everything you’ve got – your emotions, your spirit, and your thinking mind. Number two: love your neighbor as yourself. A “neighbor” isn’t just the person next door – it’s anyone in your path who has a need. Jesus said ALL the other laws and teachings hang on these two. Get these right, and everything else falls into place. Love is the engine that drives the entire faith-filled life!

Hero Challenge

This week, check yourself with two questions each morning: “How am I showing love to God today?” and “Who is my neighbor today and how will I love them?” Keep a simple tally. At the end of the week, review it and ask God where you want to grow in loving better!

Did You Know?

The lawyer who asked Jesus this question was testing Him – he expected Jesus to struggle to choose just one commandment from the 613 laws in Jewish tradition! But Jesus didn’t struggle at all. His answer showed He understood the heart behind every law. Later, in Luke 10, Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan to show exactly what “love your neighbor” looks like in real life.

Ages 4-6: Little Hero Question

Jesus says there are two most important rules: love God and love people. Can you say them out loud? Who is one person you’ll love extra well today?

Ages 7-9: Growing Hero Question

Jesus says to love your neighbor “as yourself.” That means treating others as well as you want to be treated. Can you think of a time when you wished someone treated you better – and then do that for someone else this week?

Ages 10-13: Champion Question

Jesus says loving God and loving people are the two greatest commandments and that everything else hangs on them. If these two things are the foundation, what happens to your faith if you get really religious but stop genuinely caring about people? How do love for God and love for people connect and reinforce each other?