Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
Discussion
It is important to speak with kindness, but it is even more impactful when our actions show kindness. Jesus showed kindness in every action He took. Read the story of the paralyzed man in Luke 5: 17-26. Talk to your children about the paralyzed man’s friends and how they showed kindness to this man. The houses back then had flat roofs. There was a stair access to the roof and these friends had to carry this man up these stairs. There they had to take apart the mud and straw mixture that made up the roof, in order to lower their friend down in front of Jesus.
Jesus was impressed with the paralytic man’s friends’ kindness. His friends had faith in Jesus. They believed with all their heart that Jesus could heal their friend, and He did. Jesus rewarded their kindness. He also brought honor to God, not himself. When we show kindness to others, we should not be looking for the praise of others. We are doing it to honor God.
Talk to your children about what kindness looks like. What are ways we can show kindness to our family, our friends and those around us? Have them come up with specific examples. If your child is old enough, have them write them down and carry out these actions. If they are younger, write them out for your child and carry out these actions together!
Scripture
Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31
If we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12
Activity
The men and women of our military show us a great kindness by protecting our country. Many of them are overseas and unable to be with their families for the holidays. It is a sacrifice they make to show kindness to our nation. One way we can return kindness to these amazing men and women is to send them some holiday cheer! Contact your local American Red Cross and inquire about their Holiday Mail for Heroes program. Today, sign cards or make cards to take to your local Red Cross to be sent to these heroes. If your local American Red Cross is not doing this, then make these cards today and take them to a local VA hospital to thank the veterans for their kindness to our nation. If you don’t have a VA hospital near you, then make cards for neighbors and friends that are veterans and thank them for showing kindness by serving our nation!
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