Galatians 5:13 "Serve one another in love."
This week at Bridge Kids, we reviewed each Love Language and our language focus last week, Time Spent With (Quality Time). Our main focus this week was Acts of Service. We discussed showing love to others by helping or doing something for another person, as an act of love. We also discussed ways God has shown us Acts of Service – Jesus (in human form), Asking for help/needs via Prayer, Finding help through others, etc.
We started out reviewing unconditional love and God’s unconditional love for us and how we don’t have to do anything to win God’s love for us – we just have it….always. Love God, Love Others as Self.
We talked about our emotional fuel tanks and how doing something for another person tells them “You’re needs are important to me.” We discussed when a person’s primary Love Language is Acts of Service, doing a simple task or giving a helping hand is an expression of love that helps fill up their “love-tank”. It doesn’t matter if you help with dishes, clean their bedroom, do yard work, help buy groceries, wash their car, or even provide dinner for them while they are sick, these all help fuel the tank. We also talked about how Acts of Service does not necessarily mean you are doing a courageous act or something huge – doing little things adds up! We also discussed Acts of Service should never be used to get someone to do something for you, in return. We should also never say, “I will love you, if you do this thing for me.” Manipulation is not love and it squelches the fun and love a person experiences if their love language is Acts of Service.
Today, each Bridge Kid helped set up the groceries for distribution. We discussed how doing things for other people, even people you don’t necessarily know, is a way of filling the love tank of the other person, as well as their very own love tank.
We challenged them to find small ways of providing Acts of Service for one person in their life this week – whether it’s their parent, sibling, teacher or friend!
Dine and Dish:
All our service should be done appropriate to age. For example, we make beds for four-year-olds but not for ten-year-olds. When they are ready, we teach them how to serve themselves and then others. Loving service is a gift, not a necessity, not under coercion. Even for the best parents, it’s wise to have an attitude check now and then.
Ask your kids about helping out at church – How did they feel or what did they think about providing their Act of Service? Did they meet anyone new? How did they feel when they were finished? Did they like helping out?
Do an activity together: Be sure to use encouraging words during this time. Thank your kids for helping you—be specific. Let them know they are doing a good job! Don’t expect your kids to be at the same level as you when doing an Act of Service. And, if they don’t do things perfectly, remember, they’re kids – use gentle guidance.
Dishes – Allow your kids to help you do the dishes or clear the table this week. Make it fun! Turn on the music or dance together while cleaning. Remember, your kids aren’t your indentured servants – give them some slack!
Laundry – Let your kids help you fold laundry. Even if it doesn’t turn out perfectly or if it’s not folded the way you like it, it’s ok. The world won’t fall apart if the towels are not folded symmetrically! The purpose is to let them help.
Take an All Family Nap – To speak the love language of Acts of Service, you need physical and emotional energy. Pay attention to your own physical and emotional health. Talk to your kids about taking care of themselves – consuming healthy food and beverages, getting enough sleep/rest, allowing for alone time and how we need to love ourselves, in order for us to be healthy enough to love other people.
Make Dinner/Lunch/Breakfast for Someone Else – As a family, think of someone you love and make them a meal together, but don’t stay to eat. Deliver the meal together and on the drive or walk home, talk about how they felt delivering the meal.
Special Talent – Do your kids have a special talent? Do you? Show them how to use their special talent to provide an Act of Service. Do you know someone who needs their car fixed and you know cars? Do you know how to do carpentry/yard work/sew/play an instrument/create a budget? Do you know someone who needs help with those things? Take one child with you to help – even if all they do is hand you items you need. They will love being included. Afterward, talk with your child about what you did, how they felt and thank them for helping you. Don’t be false in your gratitude or praise – kids know when you are being sincere and when you are not!
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