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Children's Activity
Object:
Today's lesson is a very easy one to understand. It is practical. It is clear. Most of us can find a way to connect it to our own lives. At one point the scripture talks about having a dinner party and inviting the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. We should invite people who cannot repay us. What good is it to invite only those who will invite us in return?
Think about the things we do for others. How often do we give because we want something in return? It's not just dinner parties. We're all selfish from time to time. Maybe we donate clothes to the poor -- but we really just want to clean out our closets. Maybe we give money to charity -- but we really just want the tax benefits. Maybe we perform some marvelous act of service -- but we really just want to impress the people that are watching us.
As we know, our children learn not only from our acts, but also from our motivations. From a moral viewpoint, why we give is more important than what we give. It's what's in our hearts that counts.
Ask your children to tell you of a time someone has shared with them. What happened? What was shared? How did it make them feel? Ask them if they've ever shared with others. Have they ever shared but gotten nothing in return? Talk about the difference between being selfish and selfless. Why is it important to practices selfless giving?
Look for ways that each member of your family can try to serve others more. Maybe there are ways you can serve each other more. To give without hope of return is to give the way Jesus did. It's not always easy at the start, but we can get better with practice. Ask for his help.
Think about the things we do for others. How often do we give because we want something in return? It's not just dinner parties. We're all selfish from time to time. Maybe we donate clothes to the poor -- but we really just want to clean out our closets. Maybe we give money to charity -- but we really just want the tax benefits. Maybe we perform some marvelous act of service -- but we really just want to impress the people that are watching us.
As we know, our children learn not only from our acts, but also from our motivations. From a moral viewpoint, why we give is more important than what we give. It's what's in our hearts that counts.
Ask your children to tell you of a time someone has shared with them. What happened? What was shared? How did it make them feel? Ask them if they've ever shared with others. Have they ever shared but gotten nothing in return? Talk about the difference between being selfish and selfless. Why is it important to practices selfless giving?
Look for ways that each member of your family can try to serve others more. Maybe there are ways you can serve each other more. To give without hope of return is to give the way Jesus did. It's not always easy at the start, but we can get better with practice. Ask for his help.
