MWOL care

Primary School age

Why is this important?

Words are good, actions are better.
It is good to tell people we love them, but sometimes we don’t just want to tell someone, we want to show them. Caring is about showing your love for God, yourself and others.

Question

What makes you feel cared for? What actions do other people do that make you feel loved?
You might like to make a list.

Suggestion

Show someone you trust the list you just made. Ask them the same questions - what do they need to feel cared for? What do they need to feel loved?
Invite them to make a list too.

Prayer Prompt

Think of someone you would like to pray for.
Make or draw that person (using crayons, play-dough, Lego or something else).

Take your time, think about their head, their hands, their feet, their heart. Think about how you could show them you care about them. Ask God to inspire you.

Secondary School age

Why is this important?

Caring for other people is at the heart of what it means to be a Christian. Jesus said that loving God and loving other people are just as important as each other. How we love ourselves and each other reflects the way we believe Jesus loves us.

But we also have to care for ourselves. This is important for good mental health and wellbeing. Caring for other people shouldn’t mean putting your own health at risk. Take care of yourself, rest when you are tired, enjoy the things you like doing, and get a good balance of work and leisure.

Question

Think about people you admire for how they care for others, or how they care for themselves. What could you learn from them?

Suggestion

Look for people who are being left out of social gatherings and start a conversation. Or, write down five things you would say to a friend about how they could care for themselves. Then ask yourself whether you are doing these things yourself. If not, how could you start?

Prayer Prompt

Psalm 46 begins by calling God “our refuge and strength”. Think about what kind of refuge God is, for you. Imagine yourself there now, with God. How would you describe it to people who might be looking for God, or for a place of refuge? This might be from physical suffering, or from emotional or mental pain.

Youth Leaders

Why is this important?

Jesus said there was no greater commandment than to love your neighbour as yourself. Caring for the needs of ourselves and each other is the most basic expression of that love.

Question

What is the most caring thing someone else has done for you?
What helps you feel cared for?

Suggestion

Ask each member of your group to identify one person in their lives who might be in particular need of some care at the moment. Using the questions above as a guide, ask them to think of one thing they could do to help that person feel cared for.

Prayer Prompt

Ask everyone to get comfy on cushions/beanbags. In a time of quiet, ask everyone to relax and focus on their own wellbeing. Encourage the group to give thanks for the people who care for them, and to ask God to remind them to care for themselves.

Get free church and family resources throughout the year

 Click here to join our newsletter