Daily Truth: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34
Encouraging children to help and serve others creates self confidence, exhibits love for one another, and takes the focus off of themselves. In John chapter 13 of the Bible, Jesus tells us to love others as He has loved us. Remind your child about how Jesus Christ died on the cross for everyone. Share how God raised His only Son from the dead because He loves us and wants to spend eternity (forever) with us. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 and Romans 8:38-39
Ten Ways to Teach Children to Love to One Another
- Show love to each member of your family by making a “blessing can”. Ask your children some ways in which they could help each other. Write these ideas down, along with the child or parent’s name so they will know who to bless, and place on strips of paper which can then be placed in the “blessing can”. Each child will pull a “blessing” paper from the can at least once a week (you may want to have a higher frequency) and complete the task or blessing for the person listed on the paper. Teaching the other person to show appreciation is also a part of the lesson.
- Bake cookies for a shut in and take to them. Attach a card that tells how you appreciate them.
- May 1st is around the corner. Make a May basket out of a paper plate and fill with paper flowers and hang on your neighbors’ doors. Click here for directions
- Pray for those families who are on the mission field. If those families have a prayer card keep in a card file for easy organization. Each evening at dinner pull a card from the box and pray for that family. (At Christmas time pray for those families which have sent Christmas cards to your family.)
- When a missionary visits your church invite them over for dinner. Get to know them and their needs. It will bring their ministry to life for your family. Prayers will be more specific and special.
- Plan a family missionary trip. Really see what the missionaries are doing. Your family will be a blessing to the missionary and you will be blessed too. You do not need to go overseas, there are many missionary ministry needs near you.
- Plan a “Five Day Club” at your home this summer. Child Evangelism Fellowship will provide the leaders, lessons, and other Bible materials. All you need to provide are the children, place, an hour of your day, and a snack.
- Sponsor a child through an organization of your choice. There are many children throughout the world that have daily physical and spiritual needs. Getting to know an individual child and meeting their needs is a blessing for everyone.
- Visit your local food pantry with your children. See what needs they have and how your family can help.
- Read missionary biographies to your children. The Heroes for Young Readers Series is a collection of individual missionary biographies.
Kisses from Katie, written by Katie Davis, is a wonderful parental read to see how one parent surrendered their child to serve on a mission field and also illustrates how a young woman follows God’s calling to love others in a different country. A lovely quote from this book, “…love is the reason I just keep filling up my little eyedropper, keep filling up and emptying my ocean one drop at a time I’m not here to eliminate poverty, to eradicate disease, to put a stop to people abandoning babies. I’m just here to love.”
To share the love and message of Jesus Christ is the best thing we can teach our children.
What ideas do you have in teaching your children to love and serve others?
Until the next “Truth” sharing moment,
Cathy Jo Johnson