Serving the Body as a Family
Members of One Body
Read: 1 Corinthians 12: 14 - 31
Questions:
Why are spiritual gifts important for the life of the church?
What does it mean for the church if you have been given a gift and do not use it?
How can you use your individual gifts in service to the church?
As a family visit http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com and take either the adult or youth test as is appropriate. For younger children, it would be good for parents to either help or fill it out for them or simply acknowledge any giftings that you have seen evident in your child's life.
Key Thought: God wants to give to all of his followers, we need to ask for them and then use them as the Holy Spirit directs us.
Pray and thank God for the spiritual gifts that he has given your family. Pray that God would help you see what gifts he has given you, and that he would use the gifts strongly in your life, and your families.
Activities:
Preschool: Help them make a gift tag and then put it on them by making if a bracelet, necklace, or tying it to a belt loop. Explain that God has given them gifts and that they should use them for His glory.
Lower Elementary: Ask your child to find the right key on your key chain to unlock the front door of your house. Explain that each key on your key chain is important and has a specific role that none of the other keys can do. Not just any key can open the front door or start the car. Then ask what happens when you lose that key. Explain that when God gives us a gift we are a lot like the key, and we have a very important role, so we need to use our gifts!
Upper Elementary: Have them draw or paint a picture of his/ herself. (Another fun thing would be to trace them with sidewalk chalk.) Read through 1 Corinthians 12 again and help them understand how the church is a lot like the body that they have just drawn.
Teens: Take some time going over the Spiritual Gifts results you took with your family. Pray and ask God how you can use the gifts he has given you this week.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Lesson 2 Serving the Body as a Family
Serving the Body as a Family
God Gives Us Gifts to Serve Others
Read: Acts 6:1-7
Questions for Discussion:
What complaints were being made about the disciples' work?
What were some of the gifts the twelve had been given that they
were using for the kingdom?
Why were the disciples unable to meet the needs by themselves of the widows’?
What kind of men did they say to choose for the position?
How do you see our church operating the same way? or how is it different?
What gifts do you have that can be used to serve others in the body?
How does serving other people honor God?
As a family share what gifts you see in your family members. Sit down and look through a family photo album. Use the pictures to prompt stories of how people in your family have served others.
Key Thought: God gave the apostles the gift of being able to tell others about Jesus, and their ministry was succeeding. While they were preaching other tasks were not getting done in the body of believers. Other men who were gifted in the appropriate ways were given the responsibilities that the apostles were not able to take on. The same is true for the body today. Although we may all be gifted in different areas, God wants us to use the gifts that we have in appropriate ways to serve others.
Pray and ask God to give you more opportunities to serve others as a family.
Activities
Preschool: Help your child trace their hand on a sheet of paper and write one way that they can use their hands to help someone else this week. Help them to follow through with their idea.
Help your child draw a picture or write a note to a missionary. As you mail it, talk about how the missionary is using their gifts to serve the body of Christ by spreading the gospel.
Lower Elementary: Help your child to look through the newspaper or watch the news with you to find examples of people serving others. Talk about how you can use your gifts to serve others.
Help your child to think of someone in the church who works hard using their gifts to serve the body. Together, write them a thank you card, acknowledging the gifting that you see in them and thanking them for using them to serve others in the body.
Upper Elementary: Help your child collect newspaper articles and magazine pictures that show people using gifts to serve other people. On a poster board or large sheet of paper, write, “God wants you to serve others.” Help your child paste or tape the collected articles and/or pictures on the sign. Help them share their sign with others in the family and encourage everyone to find ways to use the gifts they have to serve others.
Take a walk with your child and both write down all of the ways you see people using their gifts to serve others. When you have finished your walk, compare lists.
Teens: Think over the day so far. Has anyone served you today? how does it make you feel when others are generous and quick to serve you? Think of some ways that you could serve others, or the church, this week.
God Gives Us Gifts to Serve Others
Read: Acts 6:1-7
Questions for Discussion:
What complaints were being made about the disciples' work?
What were some of the gifts the twelve had been given that they
were using for the kingdom?
Why were the disciples unable to meet the needs by themselves of the widows’?
What kind of men did they say to choose for the position?
How do you see our church operating the same way? or how is it different?
What gifts do you have that can be used to serve others in the body?
How does serving other people honor God?
As a family share what gifts you see in your family members. Sit down and look through a family photo album. Use the pictures to prompt stories of how people in your family have served others.
Key Thought: God gave the apostles the gift of being able to tell others about Jesus, and their ministry was succeeding. While they were preaching other tasks were not getting done in the body of believers. Other men who were gifted in the appropriate ways were given the responsibilities that the apostles were not able to take on. The same is true for the body today. Although we may all be gifted in different areas, God wants us to use the gifts that we have in appropriate ways to serve others.
Pray and ask God to give you more opportunities to serve others as a family.
Activities
Preschool: Help your child trace their hand on a sheet of paper and write one way that they can use their hands to help someone else this week. Help them to follow through with their idea.
Help your child draw a picture or write a note to a missionary. As you mail it, talk about how the missionary is using their gifts to serve the body of Christ by spreading the gospel.
Lower Elementary: Help your child to look through the newspaper or watch the news with you to find examples of people serving others. Talk about how you can use your gifts to serve others.
Help your child to think of someone in the church who works hard using their gifts to serve the body. Together, write them a thank you card, acknowledging the gifting that you see in them and thanking them for using them to serve others in the body.
Upper Elementary: Help your child collect newspaper articles and magazine pictures that show people using gifts to serve other people. On a poster board or large sheet of paper, write, “God wants you to serve others.” Help your child paste or tape the collected articles and/or pictures on the sign. Help them share their sign with others in the family and encourage everyone to find ways to use the gifts they have to serve others.
Take a walk with your child and both write down all of the ways you see people using their gifts to serve others. When you have finished your walk, compare lists.
Teens: Think over the day so far. Has anyone served you today? how does it make you feel when others are generous and quick to serve you? Think of some ways that you could serve others, or the church, this week.
Lesson 3 Serving the Body as a Family
Serving the Body as a Family
Use Your Time for God
Read: Nehemiah 2:17-20; 4:7-23
Questions for Discussion:
What was God leading Nehemiah to do?
What kind of oppositions faced God’s people as they worked?
How did Nehemiah and his people use their time for God?
How can you use your time for God?
As a family, talk about creative ways that you can use your time for God. Choose an activity that you can do as a family, such as take cookies to a neighbor, clean up someone’s yard, volunteer at the church, or sing a song at a nursing home. Remind your child that when you serve others and the church, you are using your time for God.
Key Thought: Nehemiah asked everyone to help build a sturdy wall around the city of Jerusalem, and it was a big job to do! The people used their time for God by working together to complete a difficult project. When you do the things that please God every day, you are using your time for God.
Activities
Preschool: Explain to your child that God loves it when we us our time for him by reading his Word- the Bible! Read a Bible story to your child each night. Talk about what God did in each Bible story. Allow your child to tell the story back to you. Thank God for giving us the Bible so we can know him better.
Set aside a certain time every day to pray to God with your child. God loves it when you use your time to talk to him!
Lower Elementary: Help your child set an alarm clock for a time of day when you know you will be at home. When your alarm goes off, drop everything to pray. God loves it when you use your time to talk it when you use your time to talk with him!
Help your child draw a clock. Next to each hour, write or draw a way they can use their time for God. Help them follow through doing those things this week.
Upper Elementary: Wear a watch today. Whenever you look at it, remember to use your time for God. If your watch has a timer, set it to of off at a certain time. When you hear the beep, stop and ask God to help you use your time in ways that please him.
Challenge your child to sit completely still for one minute. Think about how you have exactly 1, 440 minutes in every day. Decide you can use at least 10 of those minutes for God. Help your child make time for God everyday this week.
Teens: Make a “normal” daily schedule. Look at the amount of time you spend doing the daily basics: sleeping, eating, hygiene, hanging out with friends, family time, working, hobbies, exercise, and spending time with God. Does anything stand out to you? Is there anywhere that you may be able to concisely find more time for God during your daily routine? Make a plan to find at least ten more minutes to spend with God everyday this week.
Use Your Time for God
Read: Nehemiah 2:17-20; 4:7-23
Questions for Discussion:
What was God leading Nehemiah to do?
What kind of oppositions faced God’s people as they worked?
How did Nehemiah and his people use their time for God?
How can you use your time for God?
As a family, talk about creative ways that you can use your time for God. Choose an activity that you can do as a family, such as take cookies to a neighbor, clean up someone’s yard, volunteer at the church, or sing a song at a nursing home. Remind your child that when you serve others and the church, you are using your time for God.
Key Thought: Nehemiah asked everyone to help build a sturdy wall around the city of Jerusalem, and it was a big job to do! The people used their time for God by working together to complete a difficult project. When you do the things that please God every day, you are using your time for God.
Pray and thank God for your family, and the time that you can spend together. Pray that God would bless your family's time spent in the Word together.
Activities
Preschool: Explain to your child that God loves it when we us our time for him by reading his Word- the Bible! Read a Bible story to your child each night. Talk about what God did in each Bible story. Allow your child to tell the story back to you. Thank God for giving us the Bible so we can know him better.
Set aside a certain time every day to pray to God with your child. God loves it when you use your time to talk to him!
Lower Elementary: Help your child set an alarm clock for a time of day when you know you will be at home. When your alarm goes off, drop everything to pray. God loves it when you use your time to talk it when you use your time to talk with him!
Help your child draw a clock. Next to each hour, write or draw a way they can use their time for God. Help them follow through doing those things this week.
Upper Elementary: Wear a watch today. Whenever you look at it, remember to use your time for God. If your watch has a timer, set it to of off at a certain time. When you hear the beep, stop and ask God to help you use your time in ways that please him.
Challenge your child to sit completely still for one minute. Think about how you have exactly 1, 440 minutes in every day. Decide you can use at least 10 of those minutes for God. Help your child make time for God everyday this week.
Teens: Make a “normal” daily schedule. Look at the amount of time you spend doing the daily basics: sleeping, eating, hygiene, hanging out with friends, family time, working, hobbies, exercise, and spending time with God. Does anything stand out to you? Is there anywhere that you may be able to concisely find more time for God during your daily routine? Make a plan to find at least ten more minutes to spend with God everyday this week.
Lesson 4 Serving the Body as a Family
Serving the Body
Use Your Talents for God
Read: Exodus 35:10- 35 (younger families may choose to abbreviate the passage in parts)
Questions for Discussion:
What did Moses want the people to build for God?
How did the Israelites use their talents to build the Tabernacle?
What characteristics do we know about those who worked to build the tabernacle?
Where does Moses acknowledge the skills of the workers to have come from?
What special talent can you use for God?
How can you encourage others to use their talents for God?
As a family, plan a time share your individual talents. Let everybody have a turn to sing, do puppets, make everyone laugh, or do whatever it is that they are good at doing. At the end of the talent show, make sure that everyone feels appreciated for their talent by talking about how great the talent is that God has given them.
Key Thought: The talents and skills that we have are gifts from God and he wants to use them for his glory, just like the builders of the tabernacle worked hard in their own areas of expertise to build what God asked them to build. All of our talents can be used by God.
Pray that God would increase your family members’ talents and give diligence if practice to help those talents continue to get better and mature. Also, pray that God would use the gifts to bring glory to himself.
Activities
Preschool: Work together with your child to build a “Tabernacle” out of blocks, Lego’s or other building supplies that you have available. When the Tabernacle is done, compliment all of the workers on their talents as they worked (creativity, attention to details, steady hand, patience, and etcetera).
Encourage your child to use their talent for sharing, by sharing a toy with another child today.
Lower Elementary: Sit down with your child and look through the yellow pages. Discuss all of the different talents that people in Winona have. Then, talk about the talents that your child has and the different ways that God may use those talents when they are older.
Talk with your child about how, while their bodies are growing, so are their talents. Together, make a list at some of the things they are good at. Then help them pick one of the things on the list to practice today. Talk about how God gives us talents to use for his purposes, and we honor him when we work on those talents to make them even better.
Upper Elementary: Work with a parent to make a list of talents that God has given you. Pick one of those talents to practice for at least five minutes everyday this week. Before practicing, pray that God would use the talent for his glory.
Write a note to a friend saying what special talent you think God has given to him or her. Encourage your friend to use that talent for God!
Teens: Make a list of your talents and tape them somewhere that you will see every day this week. When you see your list, use it as a reminder to pray that God would give you ways to use these talents for his Glory. Also, let it serve as a reminder for you to practice your talents each day so that you may be a good steward of what God has given you.
Use Your Talents for God
Read: Exodus 35:10- 35 (younger families may choose to abbreviate the passage in parts)
Questions for Discussion:
What did Moses want the people to build for God?
How did the Israelites use their talents to build the Tabernacle?
What characteristics do we know about those who worked to build the tabernacle?
Where does Moses acknowledge the skills of the workers to have come from?
What special talent can you use for God?
How can you encourage others to use their talents for God?
As a family, plan a time share your individual talents. Let everybody have a turn to sing, do puppets, make everyone laugh, or do whatever it is that they are good at doing. At the end of the talent show, make sure that everyone feels appreciated for their talent by talking about how great the talent is that God has given them.
Key Thought: The talents and skills that we have are gifts from God and he wants to use them for his glory, just like the builders of the tabernacle worked hard in their own areas of expertise to build what God asked them to build. All of our talents can be used by God.
Pray that God would increase your family members’ talents and give diligence if practice to help those talents continue to get better and mature. Also, pray that God would use the gifts to bring glory to himself.
Activities
Preschool: Work together with your child to build a “Tabernacle” out of blocks, Lego’s or other building supplies that you have available. When the Tabernacle is done, compliment all of the workers on their talents as they worked (creativity, attention to details, steady hand, patience, and etcetera).
Encourage your child to use their talent for sharing, by sharing a toy with another child today.
Lower Elementary: Sit down with your child and look through the yellow pages. Discuss all of the different talents that people in Winona have. Then, talk about the talents that your child has and the different ways that God may use those talents when they are older.
Talk with your child about how, while their bodies are growing, so are their talents. Together, make a list at some of the things they are good at. Then help them pick one of the things on the list to practice today. Talk about how God gives us talents to use for his purposes, and we honor him when we work on those talents to make them even better.
Upper Elementary: Work with a parent to make a list of talents that God has given you. Pick one of those talents to practice for at least five minutes everyday this week. Before practicing, pray that God would use the talent for his glory.
Write a note to a friend saying what special talent you think God has given to him or her. Encourage your friend to use that talent for God!
Teens: Make a list of your talents and tape them somewhere that you will see every day this week. When you see your list, use it as a reminder to pray that God would give you ways to use these talents for his Glory. Also, let it serve as a reminder for you to practice your talents each day so that you may be a good steward of what God has given you.
Lesson 5 Serving the Body as a Family
Serving the Body as a Family
Use Your Treasure for God
Read: Mark 12:41-44 , Matthew 6: 19 – 21
Questions for Discussion:
What is a treasure?
Why do you think Jesus pointed out this widow?
Why do you think the widow gave all she had?
What treasures do you have that you can give to God?
How can you give your treasures?
What good is a treasure if you keep it for yourself?
Pray that God teaches you how to give your treasures sacrificially and that we should use all we have for his purpose and Glory.
As a family go through your closets and donate all unused clothes to Grace Place or Volunteer Services.
Key Thought: God loves to give things to his people, but when he gives it is not just to benefit us but to be a blessing to others as well.
Activities
Preschool: Help your child go on a treasure hunt around the house to find loose coins. Help them look in the couch, by the washingmachine, and so on. Once they find all the loose change they can, help them designate it to a missionary in the offering on Sunday.
Lower Elementary: Help your child bury a favorite toy or object in the ground or a sandbox. (For the toys protection you may want to put it in some type of box or container.) Talk to your child about how the treasure does little good to anyone if it isn’t being used or shared.
Upper Elementary: Help your children go around your house and find something such as a toy, clothes, or unopened food, to give to others who don’t have those things. (Clothes that you have outgrown, and toys you no longer play with are
great.)
Teens: Set a goal for how much money you can give to the church (Debt pay down, Missionaries, or whatever God puts on your heart), and then follow through.
Use Your Treasure for God
Read: Mark 12:41-44 , Matthew 6: 19 – 21
Questions for Discussion:
What is a treasure?
Why do you think Jesus pointed out this widow?
Why do you think the widow gave all she had?
What treasures do you have that you can give to God?
How can you give your treasures?
What good is a treasure if you keep it for yourself?
Pray that God teaches you how to give your treasures sacrificially and that we should use all we have for his purpose and Glory.
As a family go through your closets and donate all unused clothes to Grace Place or Volunteer Services.
Key Thought: God loves to give things to his people, but when he gives it is not just to benefit us but to be a blessing to others as well.
Activities
Preschool: Help your child go on a treasure hunt around the house to find loose coins. Help them look in the couch, by the washingmachine, and so on. Once they find all the loose change they can, help them designate it to a missionary in the offering on Sunday.
Lower Elementary: Help your child bury a favorite toy or object in the ground or a sandbox. (For the toys protection you may want to put it in some type of box or container.) Talk to your child about how the treasure does little good to anyone if it isn’t being used or shared.
Upper Elementary: Help your children go around your house and find something such as a toy, clothes, or unopened food, to give to others who don’t have those things. (Clothes that you have outgrown, and toys you no longer play with are
great.)
Teens: Set a goal for how much money you can give to the church (Debt pay down, Missionaries, or whatever God puts on your heart), and then follow through.
Lesson 6 Serving the Body as a Family
Serving the Body as a Family
Serving with Joy
Read: 1 Peter 4:7-11; Colossians 3:15-17;
Questions for Discussion:
Why is it important to be joyful when we serve?
Can you think of a time someone who was serving you (waitress, fast food
window, grocery store, etc.) had a bad attitude?
How did that make you feel?
How did that reflect on the person or business that person was representing?
How do you think it makes God feel when we say we are Christians and
then serve grudgingly or without joy?
What are some things you can do add joy to the situation when you are serving?
As a family plan a serving activity you normally wouldn’t enjoy doing and then make a game out of it. Explain how having a fun attitude and staying positive can make anything fun and a blessing to those who see it. Example: Go to a park and pick up trash; whoever can fill up their bag the most gets to pick a family game or activity following the project.
Pray that you would have the joy of the Lord as you serve those around you.
Key Thought: Jesus was always the perfect example of a servant, and whenever he served he did so with patience and joy. As his followers he is calling us to do follow his example and do the same.
Activities
Preschool: Take a picture of your child smiling and holding a poster that says “Thank You.”
Having your child color or paint on theposter will make it that much more special.
Then print the picture and said it to the local fire or police station.
Lower Elementary: Take a walk with your child and encourage them to smile
at everyone you come across. Then notice how many people smile back.
Explain to your child how when you do things with joy it can bring joy
to others as well.
Upper Elementary: Help your child make a nice big pitcher of lemonade and
then have them take cups to neighbors working in their yard or people walking
on your street. If the people ask what it’s for just have them say “serving others
just makes me happy.”
Teens: The next time you are asked to help a friend or neighbor
(babysitting, moving furniture, mowing the lawn, etc.), help gladly and don’t
let them pay you for it! Explain that it is great enough just to be able to help,
and that serving them brings you joy.
Serving with Joy
Read: 1 Peter 4:7-11; Colossians 3:15-17;
Questions for Discussion:
Why is it important to be joyful when we serve?
Can you think of a time someone who was serving you (waitress, fast food
window, grocery store, etc.) had a bad attitude?
How did that make you feel?
How did that reflect on the person or business that person was representing?
How do you think it makes God feel when we say we are Christians and
then serve grudgingly or without joy?
What are some things you can do add joy to the situation when you are serving?
As a family plan a serving activity you normally wouldn’t enjoy doing and then make a game out of it. Explain how having a fun attitude and staying positive can make anything fun and a blessing to those who see it. Example: Go to a park and pick up trash; whoever can fill up their bag the most gets to pick a family game or activity following the project.
Pray that you would have the joy of the Lord as you serve those around you.
Key Thought: Jesus was always the perfect example of a servant, and whenever he served he did so with patience and joy. As his followers he is calling us to do follow his example and do the same.
Activities
Preschool: Take a picture of your child smiling and holding a poster that says “Thank You.”
Having your child color or paint on theposter will make it that much more special.
Then print the picture and said it to the local fire or police station.
Lower Elementary: Take a walk with your child and encourage them to smile
at everyone you come across. Then notice how many people smile back.
Explain to your child how when you do things with joy it can bring joy
to others as well.
Upper Elementary: Help your child make a nice big pitcher of lemonade and
then have them take cups to neighbors working in their yard or people walking
on your street. If the people ask what it’s for just have them say “serving others
just makes me happy.”
Teens: The next time you are asked to help a friend or neighbor
(babysitting, moving furniture, mowing the lawn, etc.), help gladly and don’t
let them pay you for it! Explain that it is great enough just to be able to help,
and that serving them brings you joy.
Lesson 7 Serving the Body as a Family
Serving the Body as a Family
The Benefits of Service
Read: 1 Kings 17: 10 – 24, Luke 6: 38, Colossians 3:23 – 24
Questions for Discussion:
What are some benefits that you have gotten from helping someone?
What do you think would have happened to the Widows son if she had refused to help Elijah?
Read Romans 12:3. Although God blesses us when we serve, why is it dangerous to serve
only to receive benefits?
As a family think of a person or family who has served you in some way and think of a way you can bless them.
Pray that God would use your family to bless those who serve around you.
Key Thought: God wants to bless His people when they follow His call on their lives. He wants us to serve, and to be a blessing to others who serve.
Activities
Preschool: Help your child pick some wild flowers and leave them with a thank you note by your mailbox for your mailman.
Lower Elementary: Help your child make a gift or card for their Life group teacher or another helper at church. Let them know you appreciate all the work that they do.
Upper Elementary: Buy a bag of candy for your child. Encourage them to not eat the candy, but to give a piece to every person who does something nice for them during the week.
Teens: Treat your parents to ice cream or send them to their favorite restaurant or to a movie. Maybe volunteer to baby-sit as they have a date night. Thank them for all the ways they serve you everyday.
The Benefits of Service
Read: 1 Kings 17: 10 – 24, Luke 6: 38, Colossians 3:23 – 24
Questions for Discussion:
What are some benefits that you have gotten from helping someone?
What do you think would have happened to the Widows son if she had refused to help Elijah?
Read Romans 12:3. Although God blesses us when we serve, why is it dangerous to serve
only to receive benefits?
As a family think of a person or family who has served you in some way and think of a way you can bless them.
Pray that God would use your family to bless those who serve around you.
Key Thought: God wants to bless His people when they follow His call on their lives. He wants us to serve, and to be a blessing to others who serve.
Activities
Preschool: Help your child pick some wild flowers and leave them with a thank you note by your mailbox for your mailman.
Lower Elementary: Help your child make a gift or card for their Life group teacher or another helper at church. Let them know you appreciate all the work that they do.
Upper Elementary: Buy a bag of candy for your child. Encourage them to not eat the candy, but to give a piece to every person who does something nice for them during the week.
Teens: Treat your parents to ice cream or send them to their favorite restaurant or to a movie. Maybe volunteer to baby-sit as they have a date night. Thank them for all the ways they serve you everyday.
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