Sharing joy

/in /by

Bring joy to another family member by doing something nice for them. When they say “Thank you,” respond by saying, “Share the joy!” Then it is their turn to surprise someone. Try to make it an ongoing family tradition. You can do this with your children by having them help make cookies or muffins to give to a friend or neighbour. Pray together and ask God who He would like your family to share joy with through this kindness. Be quiet and allow your children to listen to God’s direction as to who should receive your baking. If you have family or friends who would prefer flowers or a gift of service, this is another way you can spread joy in your community.

Relevant Scripture

Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Serving others first is fun

/in /by

Have some fun family competition by making a game of trying to put others first. For example, whenever a treat or something fun or special is about to happen, race to see who can say, “Serve my brother/friend first.” Children will get such a positive reaction from others when they do this that it will positively reinforce itself.

Parents can also play! While driving, make a point of letting your children know when you have yielded to another car in traffic, allowing them to go ahead of you. The verses listed below can be used to provide a Biblical perspective.

Relevant Scripture

Luke 13:30 “Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

Mathew 20:26-28 “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Random acts of kindness

/in /by

Have your own “Random Acts of Kindness” week. Begin by encouraging family members to surprise each other with small acts of kindness. Examples include clearing someone else’s dishes, doing another family member’s chores, sharing a treat, or making time to read an extra story to a child.

If you want, you can expand the scope of your kindness by targeting people in your community who you want to encourage. Take a meal to someone in need, make cookies for another family or visit a nursing home with flowers to give out. To add an encouraging message of God’s love, include a Bible verse of your children’s choosing. Afterwards, talk with your children and discuss how much the people appeared to appreciate their visit.

Relevant Scripture

Proverbs 19:17 “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.”

Visit a farm!

/in /by

Plan to spend some time observing a farmer at work, and help them out if possible! It is a great way to find out about perseverance and hard work. In the spring, you could offer to pick rocks off a farmer’s field. In the summer there are usually plenty of weeds to pull everywhere. Fall is a great time to help with yard cleanup and leaf raking. In an urban setting, wintertime provides opportunities to get out and shovel a neighbour’s sidewalk.

Persevering in tough circumstances

/in /by

Enjoy being industrious as a family. When you are cleaning or working together, talk about how good it feels to work and get a big job done. You can work at your own home or choose to help another family where there is a need.

Emphasize that the reward of hard work is the feeling of satisfaction you get when it is all done. An ice cream cone can sweeten the experience as well and help celebrate the fact that you all persevered.

Relevant Scripture

Ecclesiastes 5:18 “Then I realized that it is good and proper for man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him – for this is his lot.”

Respecting your community

/in /by

While walking in your neighbourhood, make a point of picking up pieces of garbage others have dropped. Let your children know that it does not show respect for others who live in the community when we litter, leaving our garbage lying around on the ground.

Explain that being “de-litter-bugs” serves others who use the park paths you have cleaned up. Talk about other ways you can show respect for your neighbourhood (e.g. following community rules, sharing sidewalks and walkways, saying hello to those passing by, etc.).

Build a respect habit

/in /by

When opportunity arises, have kids offer to carry groceries, help a neighbour, offer their chair to a grown-up or friend, open the door for others, etc. Begin at home! Be sure to commend children for following the “family rules of respect” represented on the mobile you made in the kick-off craft activity.

Relevant Scripture

Proverbs 20:11 “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.”

Closet cleanup

/in /by

Go through a cupboard, closet or toy box and take out the unnecessary articles you have and give them to someone else who may need them. Be sure to include your children in this process of weeding out of unneeded items, packing the boxes and delivering them to the appropriate places. Inner-city ministries are often looking for care boxes that include a home starter kit (contains kitchenware, bedding, toiletries, etc.), winter kits (contains winter wear such as socks, gloves, toques, bus tickets, first aid supplies, etc.) or toy donations.

Look in the Yellow Pages® under “charitable organizations” to find potential recipients. You can also pray and ask God to help you find someone who is in need of the items you have to give away.