Serving Others

“To serve, or to be served. That is the question.” This may be a distortion of Shakespeare’s famous question, but it strikes at the heart of the summer’s theme – Inside Out. Our hope is simply to inspire campers toward a “heart transformation” on the inside of their lives, and to allow that inner work to shape how they live. We will find no greater expression of the life-altering presence of Christ (Inside) than in their willingness to serve others (Out) in daily life back at home.   Here are three ways to inspire a servant's heart in your kids:

1. Point out opportunities to be helpful. Many kids (and adults for that matter) don’t recognize service opportunities as they arise. Consider the overflowing trash can in the kitchen. Next time your trash bin looks like a smelly version of Jenga, phrase the request around service. “Hey buddy, while your mom is serving us by making dinner, how about serving her by emptying the trash? And, thanks for being helpful!”
2. Create dialogue about acts of service in scripture, and then engage the kids in a conversation about how to apply that principle today. Even a simple glance at the Good Samaritan story can produce creative ideas for serving others. Once they come up with a decent list of ideas, help them put those ideas into action.
3. Inspire them by example. I spent a summer washing dishes at a Christian camp. Plenty of days our service was less than joyful. However, our “work crew boss” came up with a genius way of keeping us from grumbling. No matter how messy the kitchen, he always cleaned the worst pot himself. You know that large crock that always had the inch of burned starch on the bottom? He took it. Watching our leader, we learned that no matter how difficult it was for us to serve, it was worse for him. He inspired us by example. Likewise, you will find your children less likely to complain about serving others if they find in you an example worthy of imitation. 

Christ has done a tremendous work in your child's heart this summer at camp. Now is the time to bring that “Inside” work home and see it lived "Out" in their service to others.