Teaching kids to serve others

This past week our kids attended Kids’ Clubs.  What’s that you ask?  I’m glad you did, that’s our church’s version of VBS, a week-long Sunday School class.  And I in all of my wisdom volunteered to be in charge of the food for our site for the week, but it ended up being a good opportunity for family discipleship as my kids helped me out and learned what it is like to serve others.

So my dining room table looked like this for the week, but it all helped with teaching kids to serve others

And my van looked like this.  It’s food for approximately 200 people.  We sliced a lot of oranges and served a lot of cookies.
Yes, that is 30 pizzas in my car, and we had NO leftovers.

Everyone pitched in to help. They carried pizzas, handed out food, they helped carry bags of ice and carry gallons of water.

God answered one of our biggest prayers.

We got a cool front.  The first day the weather was 100 something, and then it rained that night.  After that, it was at least 10-5 degrees cooler.  I don’t think we broke 100 for the rest of the week.

In the end, all of the exhaustion, frayed tempers, and spilled gravy was worth it.  I think the hardest part of it all isn’t to be a Martha in a Mary situation.

Taking this and applying it to your life

Hi, Future Ticia 2023 here, I thought it might be helpful to expand out what I’m talking about.

Let’s look again at that picture.

Notice The Artist (the updated name for Princess, who is no longer a fan of princesses) is “helping” carry that bag of ice.

Her Dad does not need the help. In some ways her help is not actually helpful, but she believes she is helping.

We are teaching her that even a four-year-old can help the church. She is a valued and important part of the community who has a part in God’s work beyond playing on the playground as everyone else works.

Twelve years later all of my kids serve in church. They regularly volunteer in different ways. In our homeschool co-op they are known to mentor younger students and have children around them looking to them for examples of what being a man or woman of Christ is.

At a time most kids are wrapped up in their own life, they are helping others.

Now, I see the fruits of carrying 30 pizzas in my car, as my kids are among the first to volunteer and help set up events.

So, how do you incorporate this into your parenting?

Bring your children to volunteer with you. Show them how they too are part of God’s family, and family serves together.

More great Bible posts

• Jesus feeds the 5000 unit
• Meme Bible lesson
• SPACE Bible study
• Choosing a Children’s Bible
• LEGACY Bible