The Gift of Giving: Inspiring Bible-Based Acts of Kindness for Kids
It is important to teach children how to do acts of kindness in their daily lives. This lesson will instill in them a lifelong value that is deeply rooted in Christian teachings. By becoming involved with the gift of giving, children gain skills in empathy, compassion, and joy while growing strong in their Christian faith. In this post, we will explore several creative Bible-based ways children can practice being kind and generous. We also have recommendations of some wonderful products to enhance their journey in a meaningful way.
The Biblical Foundation of Giving
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over…” – Luke 6:38 (KJV)
From a young age, it is valuable to help children learn the importance of acts of kindness, as outlined in the Bible. Jesus’ life was an example showing us the need for generous people. He fed the multitudes healed the sick, cared for those not often valued by that society like women and children and he asked for nothing in return. By including these lessons into everyday activities, children will learn that giving is not just about material gifts but also about giving things such as time, love, and kindness. The Bible encourages kindness all through its pages and as children learn about God this is an important foundation to lay.
The Bible also talks about not only giving to others but also giving to God. Giving to God is also apart of doing acts of kindness. In Malachi 3: 10 the Bible says
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
When we are obedient and give to God as he has instructed he also blesses us. What a wonderful reward for being kind and generous.
Bible Verses to Teach and Inspire Kindness
As you teach children about kindness, there are some Bible verses that you can teach them as a means of encouraging and reminding them of the joy and need for us to be kind:
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV): “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
- Proverbs 11:25 (KJV): “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”
- Isaiah 58:10 (KJV): “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday.”
- Hebrews 13:16 (KJV): “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Encouraging children to memorize and reflect on these verses can create a strong understanding of acts kindness and spiritual significance. As you teach children you can use kid friendly language by finding these bible verses in translations that will be more understandable based on the age of your child. You can also do crafts with these Bible verses to aid with understanding and memory.
Engaging Activities to Foster Generosity
1. Host a “Kindness Day” at Home
Dedicate one day each week to focus on acts of kindness. Let kids choose their acts of kindness, such as helping with chores, writing thank-you notes, or baking treats for friends, neighbors or seniors. To help kids plan for their weekly acts of kindness day, you could purchase a kids planner such as this one.
2. Create Blessing Bags
Blessing bags are boxes or bags containing essentials like socks, snacks, and hygiene products for the less fortunate. Children can choose items and assemble the bags and then adults can accompany the children to hand them out to for example the homeless in certain city areas or to organizations that give to these persons in need. These acts of kindness blessing bags can be as simple as creating a toothpaste and toothbrush package to distribute. Here is an example of a simple toothpaste and toothbrush blessing kit.
3. Kindness Rocks Project
Another great acts of kindness activity that kids can do is to paint rocks with uplifting messages and place them in public places such as parks or they can give it away to neighbors or friends.
A great rock painting kit is the glow in the dark rock painting kit. When the lights go out, the paints light up and this is a fabulous attraction as the rock designs come to life in the dark. Rock painting sparks creativity and provides hours of enjoyable fun and is a great activity to use to teach acts of kindness to kids.
4. Adopt a Grandparent Program
Many elderly persons can feel lonely as often they have no family or friends around. Kids can “adopt” a grandparent by writing letters, making crafts, or visiting them. These glitter pens can make those letters look even more awesome.
5. Environmental Stewardship
Have you ever driven on the highway and seen a group of persons picking up trash? Well this is an act of kindness. Caring for God’s creation is extremely important and we can teach kids to do so by having them participate in activities such as a local park clean-up or even by them starting a recycling project at home. Using kids friendly gardening and clean up tools like these can make this acts of kindness exercise even more fun for kids.
6. Kindness Jar
Kids can create a “Kindness Jar” where they write possible acts of kindness and put in the jar and then daily they can take out one of those papers and perform the act of kindness they previously wrote. You can use a simple mason jar you may have at home or purchase a jar such as this one to use as a kindness jar.
Creative Ways to Reinforce the Joy of Giving
Storytelling Sessions
Reading stories that highlight the importance of giving is a powerful way to teach acts of kindness to kids. You can use Bible stories, parables, or even modern-day Christian books focused on generosity. You can use videos as well as podcasts such as this podcast edition that focused on kindness for kids.
Role-Playing Games
Using role-playing scenarios can help kids learn about acts of kindness. This helps them better understand empathy and how their actions affect others. Kids enjoying dressing up so using costumes
and having them role play can be an effective tool in teaching about kindness and generosity.
Gratitude Journals
Kids can reflect on the joy of giving by using gratitude journals to record their acts of kindness where they can state what kind acts they did for others and how it made them feel as well as the person who received the act of kindness. They can also record kind acts others do for them and thank God for these acts of kindness.
Family Projects That Embody Giving
Volunteering as a Family
Volunteering as a family is a great way of teaching acts of kindness by example. Some places you could volunteer at include a local soup kitchen, animal shelter, or church.
Starting a Giving Tree
On certain holidays such as Christmas or thanksgiving kids can set up a “Giving Tree” where each family member can hang a note about an act of kindness they plan to do.
Prayer and Reflection Nights
Having family nights focused on prayer, reflection, and planning for future acts of kindness is a great way to teach kindness and generosity. The family can incorporate Bible readings or use family devotionals that emphasize generosity and share stories about how giving has impacted others’ lives.
Product Picks to Inspire and Encourage Giving
- Bibles and Devotional Books: To nurture their spiritual journey, gift your kids age-appropriate Bibles and devotional books that include sections on kindness and giving. For more on choosing devotionals you can view our full blog post on the topic.
- Craft Kits for Charity: While teaching acts of kindness parents can encourage creative giving with craft kits designed for making items like cards to donate or gift.
- Educational Games: Choosing games that emphasize cooperation, empathy, and kindness can also be helpful in teaching about acts of kindness. One such game is the peaceable kingdom friends and neighbors board game.
Encouraging Kids to Lead by Example
Children often emulate what they see. As a parent or guardian, being a role model of generosity is an important step in teaching acts of kindness. Parents and children can participate in acts of kindness together, and discuss the feelings and benefits that come from helping others. Two activities that can help in this area are
Morning Prayer and Kindness Goals
Start the day with a prayer focusing on giving and set kindness goals together. For younger kids reading a book like a little spot of kindness can help them learn how to spread kindness in everyday situations at school and at home. You can check here for morning prayer ideas.
Monthly Kindness Challenges
Challenge your family to complete a certain number of acts of kindness each month. Reward the effort with a fun family activity, like a picnic or movie night. White board calendars like these can be useful to help keep track of it all.
Long-Term Benefits of Cultivating a Giving Spirit in Children
There are long term benefits of teaching kids kindness. Children who regularly engage in acts of kindness tend to develop:
- Empathy and Compassion: Understanding and caring about others’ feelings.
- Social Skills: Positive interactions with peers and adults.
- Resilience: The ability to handle life’s challenges with a positive attitude.
By making the gift of giving apart of your family’s daily life, you’re nurturing compassion and empathy in your children which not only benefits your family as there are opportunities for spiritual growth and meaningful family bonding. but also benefits the wider society as every act of kindness contributes to a more loving and compassionate world.
Remember that it is in giving that we truly receive.
