God's Puppy Love

A kids' story about God's love for us and through us

I prepared these notes and reviewed them a few times before allowing the Spirit to bring the story to life with the points He wanted the children to hear.

The Problem: Needle Teeth and Sharp Claws

Key Statement: Thor is adorable, but he’s a “monster” in training. He bites and scratches because he’s excited, not because he’s mean.

The Analogy: My arms are covered in marks, but I don’t stop loving him. He doesn’t understand the pain he causes, and sometimes, neither do we.

The Truth: God Knows We Are “Just Puppies”

Key Statement: We “bite” God with mean words and “scratch” Him with our selfishness. God isn’t surprised by our messiness; He understands our nature.

Scripture: Psalm 103:13–14
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows what we are made of, remembering that we are dust.”

The Choice: Love Before We Are “Good”

Key Statement: I don’t wait for Thor to stop biting before I decide to feed him or play with him. God didn’t wait for us to be perfect before He chose to save us.

Scripture: Romans 5:8
“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Sacrifice: Bearing the Scars

Key Statement: Jesus came down to our level. When we reacted with violence and sin, He didn’t fight back—He bore the “bites” of the whole world on the cross.

Scripture: Luke 23:34
“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.’”

The Call: Don’t Hide Under the Couch

Key Statement: When you mess up, don’t run away. God is a patient teacher. He sees the “scratch,” He feels the “bite,” and He still says, “I love you.”

Scripture: 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”