A great reward
Children's Activity
Object:
Children love to be rewarded when they do the right things. We probably all do. We are proud of ourselves for making good decisions, especially when those decisions might get us noticed. It's very human to want to be noticed -- it makes us feel good. It makes us feel like we matter.
Today's reading is full of statements about how we should act, treat others and live our lives. Jesus teaches that when we live the right way our reward will be great in heaven. That's why this lesson can be such a challenge to some of us. If we are the least bit credit-oriented we will have a hard time waiting until we get to heaven to be rewarded. It's hard when others don't notice the kind things we do. We want to feel appreciated; we want people to think good things about us. If you ever feel that way, remember this: even when others may not see, God sees and appreciates what we're doing.
With your children, practice doing invisible acts of kindness this week. Do helpful things for others when they aren't looking. Can you begin to live without wanting credit for every nice thing you do? Talk about this lesson. What things can each of you do to share God's love this week? How can you help others? How can you show mercy? How can you be like Jesus describes in today's reading?
Today's reading is full of statements about how we should act, treat others and live our lives. Jesus teaches that when we live the right way our reward will be great in heaven. That's why this lesson can be such a challenge to some of us. If we are the least bit credit-oriented we will have a hard time waiting until we get to heaven to be rewarded. It's hard when others don't notice the kind things we do. We want to feel appreciated; we want people to think good things about us. If you ever feel that way, remember this: even when others may not see, God sees and appreciates what we're doing.
With your children, practice doing invisible acts of kindness this week. Do helpful things for others when they aren't looking. Can you begin to live without wanting credit for every nice thing you do? Talk about this lesson. What things can each of you do to share God's love this week? How can you help others? How can you show mercy? How can you be like Jesus describes in today's reading?
