The Bridge Core Values – Week 6 – Giving

Matthew 10:5-8 “Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: ‘Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.’” II Corinthians 9:6-7 “Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.”

This week at Bridge Kids, we continued our month of learning about the Bridge Core Value, Giving. We talked about how Giving of ourselves and/or our resources to others is a reflection of God’s Love Language of Gifts, which can take many forms, just like our own Love Languages – through worship to God, material provision, stewardship/trust, or loving inclusion of others.We started out reviewing the previous Sunday -- Core Values – what does that mean? It means it’s the center (core) of what we build everything we do on. We also briefly discussed our time from last week, our 1st week of Giving – which can encompass all 5 Love Languages – Gifts, Time, Acts of Service, Physical Touch and Words of Affirmation.

Today, we focused on Giving of Time. We talked about how Giving our time to others, is a way we can show our love for God and for others. Love God, Love Others as Ourselves.

As an activity today, we read the book, “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. After reading the book we asked the BKs the following questions: Why is the tree lonely when the boy grows up? How do you think the tree would feel if the boy didn’t take all it offered? How do you feel when you give something to someone? How do you feel when you receive something? What does it mean to be greedy? What does it mean to be generous? How do you feel when someone is greedy toward you? Do you need to have money in order to give?


We challenged them to find time and creative ways this week of giving to others.



Dine and Dish:
Talk – Talk to your kids about giving of your Time. What does that mean to you?
Ask your kids about the book, The Giving Tree. What did they think of the story? Did they learn anything? Review the questions we asked them during our time together this Sunday.
Do an activity together:The great thing about Giving is that anyone can give, regardless of social or economic standing. Be resourceful and talk to your kids about what they are doing and why.

Time – Give of your time this week with your kids. Volunteer somewhere: Church (Set Up/Tear Down, Help fill grocery bags, etc.), Dove Lewis Animal Hospital, Friends of the Children (in NE Portland, near The Bridge), HOMEPDX (help sort and collect socks), Retirement Homes, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, etc.
Create – Create art/bracelets/scarves/etc. together to be sold for $1-$5 at the Bridge Kids Merch Table, downstairs, before and after church, the month of December. Your kids will get $0.50 from each dollar that they sell. The other $0.50 will go toward HOMEPDX.
Socks – Go to Wal-Mart (or whatever store you would like) and buy a $7 bag of men’s white crew socks and bring them to church for the sock drawer. Let your kids pay for the socks at the counter. Talk with them about what you are doing and why. Discuss what it would be like to have to wear the same pair of socks every day. Let your kids fill the sock drawer at church.
In-Home Change Drive – Decorate a jar or box together that you will put all your spare change into for a month. At the end of the month, count all the change you have collected and donate it to a non-profit, help someone buy groceries, provide dinner for a friend or family member, or think of something you know another person needs and “donate” to their cause.
Clean Out – Clean out your kids’ toy boxes and closets with things they don’t play with or use anymore. Things that are in really good condition. Clean them up and donate them to a local free porch or let your kids choose who they would like to give their items to – family, friends, or heck, even strangers.