Back to School Mini-Mission

Kids are headed back to school. It is a time of excitement and happy anticipation for many kids, but it is a not so happy time for others. Lots of students will go back to school without the needed supplies. Sure, there are lots of free backpack events that offer fully stocked backpacks, but not every child has the opportunity to attend one of those.

Challenge the kids in your church class (or your own children) to do a mini-mission.

1. Display a variety of school supplies on the table.
2. Ask the kids if they have noticed another student who is missing a particular needed supply.
3. Allow the kids to choose an item that fills the need.
4. Then, have them write a short, anonymous note to go with the chosen item.
5. Explain that the Bible teaches that we should help others in need, but we should not make a show of our work before others.
6. Encourage the kids to secretly place the item on the needy child's desk without being seen.

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Notes from Carol

• I am having a Doodle Race on my blog (here). 
• Kids (and adults) can submit a doodle (simple drawing) for the race. 
• Zonderkidz is offering prizes to two winners (a free book and publication in my devos). . . Thanks, Zonderkidz! ! !

I'd be honored if you share the race with your fam and friends. Post it on your facebook, website, or blog. It is going to be fun! 

Here is a link you can share:

http://carolmcadamsmoore.blogspot.com/p/hey-everyone-doodle-race-begins-today.html 


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copyright (c) 2013 Carol McAdams Moore

Backpack Missions for Young Learners

Several months ago, I blogged about a Backpack Mission Project. The focus was on involving tweens in such a community outreach through giving and prayer.

Okay. I will admit it. Yesterday I braved the swarms of people at Walmart, many of whom were purchasing back-to-school supplies. It made me think of the backpack missions and how younger kiddos could be involved. Sure, all the things in the first post would apply to young kids, but here are a few more that really speak to three to eight year olds developmentally.

• Talk about the importance and kind of learning that each supply item represents. (Crayons, for example, will help kids draw or doodle the many things that God has made. . . and art is FUN!)
• Help children as they pack the backpacks for others. Getting one of each item in each bag reinforces sharing and the important Math skill of one-to-one correspondence.
• Pray with the children to thank God for the many blessings God has given each of them. 

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Notes from Carol

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you will come back often! Let's connect on Twitter and Facebook too!



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copyright (c) 2013 Carol McAdams Moore

Heart of a Missionary

Don't you love opportunities for giving that call for "putting things together"? They allow for small contributions to fill big needs. They also allow the giver to go unnoticed. It is almost as if we are "caught" doing it, somehow the act is diminished. You know. . . we have received the attention of others. I love the idea of teaching our kids to give and to try to avoid being seen!

Here are some programs that lend themselves well to not letting the other hand see:

• Backpack Missions
• Operation Christmas Child
• Love Packages
• Heart of a Missionary (my term)

Several years ago, my cousins (then missionaries in Wyoming) sent out a plea for items. Because Wyoming can be so very cold, they requested many items that they could offer to warm visitors. 

Sometimes a missionary might call for school supplies; others might call for toiletries; and yet others might request simple first aid supplies. They are calls from the Heart of a Missionary.

Here is a way to teach kids about the Heart of a Missionary.

Materials

• small heart-shaped plate
• several items that represent the theme of the missionary's call
• map or globe
• list of requested items to take home

The Activity

• Explain Jesus' charge to go into all of the world and spread His Word.
• Talk about the missionaries who are answering the call in ____________ (name of the place).
• Show the children where the place is on the map or globe.
• Then, talk about each of the items on the heart plate and how the missionary might use each.
• With the children's eyes closed, remove one of the items. Can they remember which item was removed?
• Repeat with the other items as time allows.
• Give each child a Heart of the Missionary list to take home for future collection.
• Pray that God will use the items collected to help the missionary spread God's Word to all the world. 

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Notes from Carol

These days I have the awesome responsibility and blessing of writing two devotional books for Zonderkidz. Will you pray with me about the devos? You can sign up to be a prayer partner on the right. I won't share your contact info. Promise.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope you will come back often! Let's connect on Twitter and Facebook too!



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copyright (c) 2013 Carol McAdams Moore

Christmas in July Mission Project

Have you noticed the stores? Yep. It is only July, but the displays are full of two things: back-to-school supplies and Christmas. Isn't that wonderful? Seriously. I mean it.Back-to-school time is perfect for packing those boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

The school supply sales have great prices. It is easy to stock up on everything a child needs for school. . . wherever he or she lives:

• crayons
• pencils
• colored pencils
• erasers
• markers
• rulers
• scissors
• glue
• paper
• notebooks

 

You don't have to fill the box only with school supplies, but you can add the fun things, toiletries, and clothing items later.

Earlier I blogged about a backpack mission project. Are these things in the Bible? I think so. . .

. . . the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’   Acts 20:35b   (NIV)


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Tweetables

July is a great time to prepare for Operation Christmas Child!   Tweet this!

. . . the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’   Acts 20:35b   (NIV)
   Tweet this!

Hey Tweens! Hey Parents and Grandparents! Hey Children's Ministry Workers! Are you in the Doodle Race?   Tweet this!

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Notes from Carol

Hey Tweens! Hey Parents and Grandparents! Hey Children's Ministry Workers! Are you in the Doodle Race? 

Read all about it here!


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copyright (c) 2013 Carol McAdams Moore