Aaron (13) is my child who struggles most with selflessness, giving, and considering others. He drew Rebecca (17). Amazing to me Aaron was the one who took to this the most. All the children enjoyed it and came up with many ways to serve their assignee, but Aaron more than any other. He started getting up early and doing many of Rebecca's AM chores. That very first morning he unloaded the dw, wiped down the counters, swept the kitchen, emptied the laundry rm trash, and transfered laundry. He did not slack as the week passed either. Knowing this child I watched in awe. Now the funny thing is when we redrew last night he drew Becca again. LOL I told him that will happen sometimes. Today, he was back up again serving and blessing her.
Other secret service acts in our home this week
notes of encouragement (printed off the computer to disguise writing)
m&m's left in jacket pockets and on beds
animals fed
beds made
trash emptied
laundry done
special coffee made (LOL I had my husband)
I am loving this!
One thing I want to incorporate in the future is on Saturday evening when we disclose the previous week's Secret Service Agents we will do a foot washing and you will wash the feet of your assignee.
So WHY are we doing this? We want to teach our dc to put feet on their faith. We want them to learn to follow Scripture in their daily life. We want them to learn to serve at home in ways that bring no prestige and no accolades. We want to instill a love of family and that service begins at home. We want them to view changing dirty diapers, sweeping floors, washing dishes, and such as ministry and service as unto the Lord. We want them to learn that one must first serve humbly at home before taking on a ministry to the Lord beyond the home.
Why make a *game* of this? We are doing it in this way because we think it good to make learning fun. We think catching their interest helps in catching their heart.
Galations 5:13-14 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." NKJV
Titus 1:5-6 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you— if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. NKJV
I Timothy 5:9-10 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. NKJV
I Timothy 3:1-13
This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 29:14-30
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ NKJV
• Dec. 18, 2006 - what a great idea
:-)
kim