Monday, April 8, 2013

G is for…Gifts (Using Yours)
By Shelly Burke

(The posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge will focus on teaching kids lessons from selected Bible verses. Adapt your teaching to the age of the kids you’re talking with.)

(Google Images) 
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
1 Peter 4:10

How can you encourage your kids to use their gifts?

Begin by talking about the above Bible verse. Point out that each of us has received a gift (or gifts!) from God. Discuss the gifts that He has given you and other people your kids know. Your pastor has a gift for preaching, teachers have a gift for teaching, and so on. Also point out characteristics like caring for others, giving encouragement, drawing, acting, refinishing furniture, making people laugh, and so on.

What does it mean to serve one another? It means we help others, according to their needs (others might need encouragement, help with chores around the house, to learn about something new, etc.). Serving means to look to someone else’s needs before our own, and even if we are inconvenienced. Jesus served His disciples by washing their feet (John 13:5 ) We serve when we give to and help others to show God’s love, NOT because we expect a reward. God showed His love for us by giving Jesus to die for us, because of our sins. We pass on that love by showing kindness to others.

Ask each child, What are your gifts? Help them list things like, singing, helping you cook, good at math, draws beautiful pictures, good at organizing toys, a good driver, takes neat photos, likes to grocery shop, patient with people who take time to get around, etc.  

Next ask, How can you use your gifts to serve others? Elicit answers that list a variety of places and people they can serve. For example, helping a younger sibling organize his or her room, helping an elderly person shop for groceries, cooking for someone, visiting a nursing home and singing to someone, etc.

Now, make a plan. How can each child use his or her gifts during the next week? Be sure to discuss their actions, as well as the response of those they served.

Thank You, Lord, for the gifts that you have given to all of us. Please help each of us to use our gifts to serve others. Let us show Your love for us, through what we do. Amen.  
   
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14 comments:

  1. Oh! How I love this! It is my passion to do Random Acts of Kindness! Happy H-Z! http://diamondvilleclarksdennisroberta.blogspot.com

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    1. Doing Random Acts of Kindness is so rewarding! Thanks for commenting!

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  2. Such a wonderful and inspiring post! My daughters and I have tried to actively share our gifts through volunteering over the past couple of years. We did 52 Weeks of Giving and 12 in 12 (12 service project each month during 2012). We are choosing to focus our efforts a bit differently this year by making a longer-term commitment to a few organizations this year.

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    1. You are setting a wonderful example for and with your daughters! It's neat that you're doing something different this year, showing them the huge variety of things they can do. Thanks for commenting!

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  3. This is a great post, it is so important for us as adults to draw out the gifts of our young, for them to see what they are and to use them. Thanks for sharing, I have listed your blog on my H posts today. Blessings, Amanda

    Amanda - Realityarts-Creativity
    Art Blog

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    1. Thank you Amanda! I'm passionate about families and especially encouraging kids.

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  4. Wonderful words and great up-lifting post. It's easier to encourage my girls to use their God- given gifts, when they see me putting it into practice and using mine.

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    1. Thanks for commenting! Yes, when kids see us using our gifts they are encouraged to use theirs, and to try different things.

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  5. I love "randomly" picking an A-to-Z blog and landing on just what I need to hear from God. Thanks for this post.

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    1. I'm so glad it touched you, Tracy! I blogged about adults using their gifts at www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com if you'd like to check it out.

      God directs a lot of our "random" actions!

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  6. jaybird is so right - for our children we need to model using our God given gifts and encourage them as we see them in little ways using theirs.

    Lady's Knight
    We write fantasy that is appropriate for children. please have a visit

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    1. Those little ways can lead to huge things later...we always encouraged our daughter in her love for animals and now she will be taking several animal therapy classes at college. It's neat to see kids discover their talents!

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  7. One of the most important gifts a parent can pass to their children is the joy of helping and sharing with others. Good Post!

    Images by Bil
    Paintings and Sketches of the beauty that surrounds us.

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Thank you for commenting!