Children who are most active in church are more likely to engage with the Bible outside of Sundays and to attend Bible study, camps, and special events. According to a Barna study, these children are twice as likely to participate in outreach. If service is to be a priority, being active in church is the first step, but not the only one.
Modeling Service
We discussed modeling Bible reading for our children last month, and the same principle applies to service. If our kids see us serving, they are more likely to help. If we serve with our kids, they will build confidence, bond with us, and experience joy.
The Why of Service
Jesus came not to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28). He is our example. Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, wrote: “The grace of humility is worked into our lives through the discipline of service.” So when we serve, we shouldn’t make a big deal of it to others. Instead, quietly go about the work, knowing God sees you.
Excuses
Americans are always busy. But the question is with what? Are all the things we schedule serving others or ourselves? Yes, it’s a hard and convicting question, but an important one. Maybe we need to rethink our priorities, remove what doesn’t serve us, and intentionally set aside time for others.
Perspective
Service offers benefits we might not consider. There’s great satisfaction in completing a project for others and seeing the joy it brings. Your family will step out of their safe bubble into a different family structure, socioeconomic background, and culture. These opportunities foster empathy, generosity, and a heart of gratitude.
Opportunities
How do you find opportunities to serve? Pay attention to your neighborhood. Is there an unkept lawn? A driveway that needs shoveling? Newspapers piled up on the driveway? These are cues to find out what’s going on and offer a solution. You could also check with your Youth or Children’s Minister for opportunities outside of your neighborhood.
A few weeks before Thanksgiving, an elderly man approached my husband at church, asking if he knew anyone who could clean up the leaves from his yard. I kept hearing the Spirit say we should do it, but we’d already cleaned up many bags of leaves from our yard. Still, an idea formed. The day after Thanksgiving, while everyone else shopped for Black Friday deals, my adult kids, their spouses, and my husband and I arrived at the couple’s home armed with rakes, leaf blowers, and bags. It only took a couple of hours to clean the yard. The elderly man prayed for our family before we left, and we walked away as the blessed ones.
—Sally Cressman is the author of The Dance of Easter. Sign up for her email list to receive “Biblical Affirmation” cards.
