Usually once each year a couple of our preschoolers declare a "boyfriend and girlfriend" relationship. Somehow they know that holding hands, always choosing to sit next to each other, standing together in line and even stealing a kiss announces they belong to each other. Parents sometimes aren’t sure how to react: happy – thinking their children are cute; or unhappy, appalled, or even fearful of what the future might bring if their little ones behave this way at such a young age!

We try to discourage "boyfriend and girlfriend" language and try to connect them with others, assuring them that God wants us to like all our friends in class.

Words and pictures that illustrate romantic love, or even illicit love, bombard our children. Parents striving to teach their children a spiritual worldview need to combat this with strong scripture lessons.

Review what God Says about Love

Spring is a good season to talk about love as the Bible describes it. Study 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 during your quiet time and identify the words that describe Biblical love.

Write each characteristic on a card and put it in a basket:

• Ask your child what love is to her or him, and ask preschool or older children to get their bibles so that you can find and review 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 together.
  
• Each day, allow your child to choose a "Valentine Love Card from God" from the basket, and talk about what that day's characteristic means. Then write out the simple principle on the card as you explain it.
  
• Illustrate and reinforce that principle throughout the day. If your child fails to choose a loving response in a situation, use the biblical principle to remind them how to please God with a better choice.

Keep it Simple

One of the things I love about children’s ministry is that we have to keep things simple and clear so that the children can understand them. In reality, keeping it simple is what helps me in my own walk. The challenges to the children are clearly challenges to us as well. Whether or not we meet those challenges is instrumental in the legacy we leave for the next generation.

The sooner we teach our children about love from a biblical perspective, the sooner we will be able to help them see through the confusing messages of our culture today.

Mark it on a Chart

Children feel loved when parents spend time with them doing fun things. After you have worked through each of God's Valentines, spend some time together with glue, scissors and a variety of fun scraps. Make a chart listing all the ways to love described in this passage and leave room for stars or checkmarks. Place on the refrigerator and celebrate each other’s choice when this form of love is displayed in your family.

Write Notes to Loved Ones

This is a good time to ask your children if there is anyone they think of when you talk about these biblical traits of love. Share time together writing a note to those people letting them know how much they are appreciated. If your children are really small, this is a good time to appreciate the people who love your children unselfishly – nursery workers, babysitters, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Take Time to Plan

Take some time to look at your schedule and plan how you will carry out these ideas that will assist you in building a biblical worldview for your children. When your child knows the Bible clearly teaches us how to love, they may be less vulnerable to the worldly definitions. If you plan wisely and patiently, your frustration level will be minimal!