These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“Summer is the perfect time to spark a young person’s interest in volunteering. But where do you begin…A dozen ideas: These activities are easily adaptable for various ages. Young kids will love participating with you. Older kids can take the lead and volunteer on their own or with peers or siblings.
1. Visit a nursing home: As a family, go on a game night and help with bingo…
2. Organize a rummage sale or set up a lemonade stand: Let the kids choose a charity to receive the proceeds…
3. Donate gently used books or toys: Giving up some of their own things can start a meaningful conversation about what it would be like to not have any toys or books of their own…
4. Support a local food pantry: Collect nonperishable food items to donate…
5. Clean up the world around you: Gather together trash bags, gloves and hand sanitizer, and pick up litter in your neighborhood or in a park…
6. Look out for your neighbors: Mow or rake the lawn for an elderly neighbor; bake cookies for a busy family; or take soup to someone who isn’t feeling well.
7. Serve a meal at a homeless shelter: Check with a local shelter ahead of time. They may need help with food prep, serving, cleanup—or all three.
8. Draw pictures or write thank-you notes: Deliver them to teachers, firefighters, police officers, faith leaders—anyone whose job is service to others…
9. Make blessing bags for the homeless: Pack up nonperishable items in resealable plastic bags. Include items like socks, bottled water, lip balm, granola bars, and gift cards for grocery stores or restaurants.
10. Make gift giving an act of charity: Instead of buying a gift for someone…bring food to a local pantry in honor of the person…
11. Say “thank you” to service people overseas: Put together care packages for military personnel…
12. Sign up for the fundraising walk, run, or bicycle ride: Find an event that supports a cause that’s meaningful to your children.”
Molly Culbertson in “Summer and Service” in Thrivent Magazine: Helping Members Connect Faith & Finances for Good, June 2017: 17-19.
Today in my class at Torch Trinity in Seoul, South Korea (pictured above), we are looking at stewardship and generosity in the early church in the New Testament. We will explore various household code sections of the apostle Paul’s letters that include specific instructions for God’s people on how to live and what to teach the next generation. These sections echo the instructions for families in the Deuteronomic Law.
I like to share lists like this one with my students because many of them often have small children. When kids are on summer break from school (which happens at different times around the world), as parents we get to teach them that breaks are not just for having fun with family or friends, but they are also great times for serving others. This is vital to their development as disciples of Jesus Christ.
A great way to help our kids avoid adopting the ways of the world is to encourage them to serve in practical ways. When we do, we help them shift from conformity to the culture to conformity to the image of Christ who modeled humble service for us. Serve together as more is caught than taught. We must just be sure our lives match the messages we are sending them otherwise they will not embrace service as a lifestyle.