A Lesson In Sharing

During Tween Time on tonight, we started our new study/series on the subject of service.

My goal for this semester is to start building a culture of service within the kidz ministry at St. James.

The lesson focused on learning to share what we have, using the model from Acts 2:44 (NLT) "and all believers met together in one place and shared everything they had."

To do this, we made "Sharing Soup," that the girls (our guys were absent tonight) could share with someone - maybe a teacher, or a friend, or even a neighbor.

We did this by mixing in a large bowl:

1 lb. dried lentils
1 lb. split green peas
1 lb. pearl barley
1 lb. brown rice
1 lb. alphabet (or elbow) macaroni
2 cups instant onion flakes

Once you mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl and stir, you divide up the soup into resealable bags - 1-1/2 cups of the mixture at the time. You keep making bags until the mixture is completely divided. It made at least seven bags.

When you are finished, you attach a card with this info to the dried ingredients

"Sharing Soup"1-1/2 cups of dry soup mix6 cups water
Simmer for 1-1/2 hoursThen add ingredients of your choice, such as celery,shredded cabbage, tomatoes and/or leftover meat.
As I share this soup, I'm sharing my faith.Remember, that Jesus Loves You!
I guess part of this lesson sunk in, because during the prayer time, I asked the girls to think about one thing/way they could share with others this week – and give it as an offering to God.

Here's what they said:My TalentI can share my timeLove (x 2)I will share my soup.My awesomenessI can share God's loveWhen my friend's pencil ruined, I gave her my pen.
I really like working with the T2 kids - even when they drive me crazy when it seems like they are ignoring me. That's life right? Short attention spans, big hearts. One mom already told me on Facebook that her daughter plans to share her soup with her teacher tomorrow.

I really hope this semester lives up to my goal. I think these kiddos could truly "rock the world" if I can "tap into" their passion for service.

We'll see what happens.