Loved by God

“I know that God loves me because I received the opportunity to be registered with Hope Alive!” 

As we strive to raise a generation that loves and fears God, our Hope Alive! staff walk alongside each child to help them learn how to be a disciple of Jesus. Our staff and mentors teach our students what it looks like to be a follower of Christ and do it with them, sitting down and showing them how to spend time with God on their own.

In May, our site in Kyabakuza hosted a four-day discipleship program with the goal of teaching the children what love is, where it comes from, and how to love others. 

Some of the children shared stories about how they know Jesus loves them and how they have experienced his love. One student, Pauline, said “I know that God loves me because I received the opportunity to be registered with Hope Alive!” Another student, Busulwa John Eric, whose mother is blind, is HIV negative despite his mother being HIV positive. He said that he sees that God protected him. That day, Busulwa gave his life to Christ. When Aunt Beatrice asked why, he said he needed to give praise to God for saving him and to respond to God’s love. 

Twelve other students (seven newly registered) gave their lives to Christ that same day – let us rejoice and pray for each of them: Busulwa, Pauline, Kimbugwe, Timothy Lukwago, Patricia Namwanje, Ssali Safik, Shiriton, Latifa, Edrine, Madrine, Ivonne, Jane, Mutumba. 

Here's an overview of the lessons for each day:

DAY 1: WHAT IS LOVE?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  1 Corinthians 13:4

The children read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. The teacher emphasized that in their daily interaction with others, we are to be patient, kind, not jealous, not boastful or proud, keeping no record of wrongs, and avoiding ill manners around others. The children learned songs to help them memorize the verses and carry the words close as they live day to day. 

DAY 2: WHERE DOES LOVE COME FROM?

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1 John 4:7

The children read 1 John 4:7 and 19. They learned that love comes from God and that no one can love as the scriptures say unless they seek God for help. They were encouraged to be patient and kind to people who wrong them. It can be hard, but God is their source of help since love started with Him.

DAY 3: HOW DO YOU LOVE OTHERS? 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  John 15:12

The children read the John 15:12 and the Good Samaritan story (Luke 10:25-37), and learned that it is always good to love and care for others. They all desired to be like the Good Samaritan, not the Priest or Levite, leaving their fellow man to suffer alone.

DAY 4: JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Matthew 19:14

The children read Matthew 19:13-15 and learned Jesus desires to hold and care for each one of them as His children. He took on the pain of the cross so that one day they will join Him in heaven. The children were helped to understand that this can only happen if they put their faith in Him and confess Him as their Lord and Savior.