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Day 7: Supporting Our Kids in Their Own Kindness
“Mom, can you believe they don’t have clean water to drink?” My son, who was five at the time, asked me innocently one night. He was perusing a Compassion International catalog, determined to find the perfect gift to give to a stranger. And so began his passion for providing clean drinking water.
It was a need that I honestly hadn’t thought much about—but my son did. He began to read about how far people would walk to get clean water and how many diseases come from unclean drinking water. Each time he was given the opportunity to support someone around the world, he’d pick a place that needed clean water. I loved seeing a passion all his own growing inside him.
Our kids can be incredibly insightful and compassionate when given the opportunity. As parents, this is what we want: to encourage our kids in the areas where they are moved to help and to empower them to take action to help solve the problem. The Bible is very clear that we are to think about and take care of those who are hurting or without needed resources. Allowing God to move in our kids’ hearts to act on behalf of others is one of the greatest things we can teach them. Kindness and compassion will serve them well as they grow to adulthood. Let’s encourage the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Conversation Starter: Why do you think there are so many Scripture verses that remind us to take care of others? What issues are some people facing that you would like to help with? Why do you think God has uniquely given you a passion for this concern? How can you help?
Getting Started: Spend a little time gathering more information about an issue you are concerned about. Look for organizations that are already set up to help and see what kind of support you could offer to them. (We often don’t have to start from scratch. There are many wonderful organizations already in place that we can partner with and support!)
Verses:
Isaiah 1:17
Matthew 25:37-40
Proverbs 21:13
For more information and resources to help you and your family start your kindness journey today, please visit The Ruth Experience.
About this Plan
Raising kind and generous kids can be difficult in the face of the cultural tide of consumerism. This 7-day devotional will encourage and inspire your family with scriptural truth and practical ways to be intentionally kind starting at home, rippling out into your community and into the world at large. For more ideas on how to teach your kids kindness, check out the 365-day devotional, One Year Daily Acts of Kindness.
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We would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers for providing this plan. For more information, please visit:
https://www.tyndale.com/p/the-one-year-daily-acts-of-kindness-devotional/9781496421616?utm_source=YouVersion_Teaching%20Kids%20Kindness&utm_medium=Teaching%20Kids%20Kindness&utm_campaign=OY%20Kindness%20Launch
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