Serving Others as a Family this Fall

I Peter 4:10 (NIV) “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful 

stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

By the time you read this, our Sunday SERVE FAIR will have already been over. But the SERVE FAIR was just a starting place. We all were pulled towards one area of service or another, feeling the need in one ministry of the church or community, wondering which area would be the best fit for us, seeking God’s leading in where we might serve our brothers and sisters in Christ or reach out to the lost.

Most of the areas of service promoted were more for adults or for our teens. But what about our children? Can they serve? How can they serve? The importance of service and the role it plays in child and adolescent faith formation is tremendous! Adding the spiritual practice of service to your family rhythm will have exponential rewards.

As we are getting into the fall season, this would be a great time for our family to serve others—including your young children. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking…

1)      Do Yard Work

Fall requires additional lawn work that can be difficult for elderly neighbors or our senior saints. What a blessing for both the young family and the senior citizen to have their leaves raked, limbs picked up, or flower beds cleaned up.

2)      Bake Up Some Pumpkin Love

Who really doesn’t like a plate of fall goodies—pumpkin bars or cookies, caramel apples, apple cider, pumpkin bread? Any child would love to clean out a small pumpkin to make the puree or draw a happy face on another pumpkin with a note attached to it and deliver both the baked goodies and the pumpkin note to neighbors, teachers, firefighters, or your church pastors.

3)      Fall Cleaning

Many organizations such as shelters and pantries start looking for winter clothing for the cold days ahead. Many of them would also love the toys and household items for Christmas, as well. Sharing your extras would bring joy to someone less fortunate than yourself.

4)      Sending a Care Package

Put together a care package for college students, a missionary or a military family, children who are sick in the hospital, a family who has gone through a fire or flooding tragedy. Allow everyone in your family an opportunity to choose appropriate items.

5)      Share Encouragement

A handwritten note goes a long way but adding a construction paper card made by your child would add wonder to nursing home residents or someone who needs some encouragement.

6)      Plan a Playdate

Invite children over to play at your house while mom and dad get treated to a date night, a single parent gets a break, or parents of a child with special needs a respite.

7)      Paint Rocks

This is a fun-serving ministry! Painting rocks with messages of kindness and biblical truth and gratitude and then leaving these rocks at a local park, trail, library, or by the hospital entrance could really encourage people.

8)      Sponsor a Child/Samaritan’s Shoebox

There are numerous organizations that will match your family up with a needy child as a financial commitment, but it can even be more than that. Create cards, send letters, and share pictures with your sponsored child.

It is never too late or too early to develop a sensitive and caring heart in your children. Learning to serve others at an early age will not only open their eyes to the needs of others but will grow a heart of gratitude for what they have! Plan one or a few of these ideas this fall and see your family serve others!

Written by Shari Coelho, Children’s Ministry Director