How to Teach Children to Give an Offering in Church
Sunday school teachers and parents share the responsibility of educating children on why people give an offering in church. Show your children that giving to the church is a way to help others. In addition, giving to the church is a personal and spiritual choice rather than an obligation. Several methods exist to educate your children about giving an offering. After determining which practices are best for you and your family, develop a lesson plan for your children so they will be prepared to give.
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Instructions
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Give your child an allowance and decide if she should earn it by doing chores. Write out a budget your child must follow. Include a church offering and show your child that a portion of her budget should go towards giving.
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Show your children that giving an offering to the church is about the act of giving. You do not want to bribe your children to make an offering. Take away any rewards your children have been receiving for giving their money because you want them to understand that the reward is a spiritual reward.
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Teach your children through a story. The process of storytelling encourages children to use their imagination to understand your point. For instance, describe the story of a boy who does not have money to give until he finds some quarters on his way to church. Discuss what the boy can do with the quarters, and what it would mean if he gave them to the church.
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Show your children that giving an offering in church is important to your family. Set an example by writing a check each week to give to the church.
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Examine other ways your child can give. Reveal that the act of giving does not have to be about giving to the church. For instance, you can encourage your children to give one unopened present a year to local children in need.
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Tips & Warnings
Remind your children before heading to church that you expect them to budget a church offering into their allowance. Be prepared, however, with extra money in case your children forget to bring their own.
Do not punish your children when they forget to give. The act of giving must be a decision your children make when they are mature.
References
- Photo Credit church. Entrance of a church image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
