How to Teach Your Children to Love Their Neighbors
God commanded in the Bible to "Love our neighbors as ourselves." In fact, this is mentioned eight times. Parents must first teach their children who their neighbors are, and this is not just the individuals living next door. Once children understand that God considers all human beings our neighbors, parents can move on to instructing children on how they can demonstrate love to their neighbors.
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Instructions
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Read the parable of the good Samaritan aloud to your children. This passage is found in Luke 10:25 through 37. Here Jesus describes a neighbor, and shows what a neighbor can do to demonstrate love.
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Draw a big house on a piece of poster board. Cut out several windows. Have your child draw pictures of possible neighbors. Glue one picture in each window. Try to encourage your child to draw different types of neighbors. One neighbor may be elderly, while another is disabled. You want your child to understand that no human is exempt from being a neighbor.
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Demonstrate neighborly love by creating a basket of goodies and taking it to a family in need. Your child won't want to love her neighbor if you don't. This also demonstrates that actions are as important as your words.
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Designate time each day to pray with your child for your neighbors. Choose several individuals each day to love by clothing them with prayer. The more you and your child pray for the individuals around you, the more your heart will naturally grow in love for them.
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Make a list of ways you can help your neighbors. This can be general, such as helping an elderly lady reach grocery items on the top shelf at the supermarket. It can also be specific, such as preparing dinner Wednesday nights for "Betty" as she goes through chemotherapy. Encourage your child to complete some of these tasks throughout the week. You can even make it a point to do them together.
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Tips & Warnings
No child is too young to learn how to love others. Even toddlers can share toys and give hugs.
References
Resources
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