Raising Kingdom Builders Sample

6) Seeking to Serve

The next important step for bringing your children up in the most righteous way possible is modeled in some of Jesus’ final moments with His disciples. In John 13, we read about Jesus spending time with His disciples before His coming arrest, crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus, knowing His time on earth was coming to a close, was seeking to paint a lasting image in the heads of those closest to Him by washing their feet. After doing so, He says, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” Even though Jesus is not telling us to go out and strictly wash people’s feet, He is modeling the posture God desires we have and teach our children: to serve those around us.

Just as the disciples watched Jesus teach them how to serve those around them, God is calling you as parents to do the same for your children. The natural human tendency is to seek to be served rather than to serve. The key is to look for opportunities to show your children what this looks like in action. Perhaps you and your children could participate in a missions project at your church? Serving others can be demonstrated on smaller scales, too, by opening the door for those behind you, helping an elderly person get to their car safely in a busy parking lot or sharing with someone who has less. All of these are ways we can show our children how to be “feet washers.”  

The reality is, we will often miss opportunities to serve if we are moving at too fast of a pace in life. How can you seek to slow down and show your children how to serve? Where are some prime opportunities for serving in your life? As we said yesterday, your children will watch and mimic much of what you do. Raising Kingdom builders must include serving those around us.