- Tell students that God gave them special talents and gifts that they can use to serve him. Give students one piece of card stock each, and tell them to write down three things they're good at doing, like playing the piano, listening or smiling. Tape each child's paper to the back of his or her shirt. Tell children to stand up and write on someone else's paper describing something good or nice about that person. When the children have a chance to write a compliment on everyone's paper, let them look at what their classmates said about them. Tell students that these are attributes that God blessed them with. Discuss specific ways they can use these talents for Jesus. For example, someone who is good at soccer could help a player on his team who is struggling.
- Tell children that today they're going to help God. Tell them to pretend that Jesus is sitting right next to them. Tell them that Jesus needs help tying his shoes, and let children pretend to tie Jesus' shoes. Tell them that Jesus needs something to eat. Show them how to make an imaginary peanut butter and jelly sandwich for Jesus. Tell them that Jesus is feeling sad. Ask them to say some encouraging words to Jesus. Afterward, ask kids how they felt about the activity. Someone will probably say that they didn't really do anything because it was imaginary. Say, "You're right. Find a partner, and help him tie his shoe laces tight." Next, give each child a small snack he can give to his partner. Last, let the children give each other a pep talk. Read Matthew 25:42 through 45, which says when we serve each other, we're serving God at the same time.
- Participating in a service project allows children to experience first-hand the joy that helping others brings. Your service project can be on a small scale, such as cleaning and organizing the classroom, pulling weeds on church grounds or writing thank-you cards for parents and teachers. Or the service project can take you into the community. Bring your class to a shelter where they can help serve a meal to the hungry. Get permission for your class to go to a local nursing home to play games with the elderly in the activity room. Or bring a guest speaker to class who volunteers in the community and let the person describe his experiences.
- Create a helping hands mural for your classroom. Prepare several plates of washable paint in different colors. With a foam brush, coat each child's hand with paint and let him press it onto a large piece of butcher paper. Do the same with children's bare feet. When the paint has dried, let children write two nice they've done for someone else in the middle of their hand and foot prints. Title the class mural "God's Little Helpers." Discuss ways children can help others around them each day.
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