MWOL serve

Primary School age

Why is this important?

Everyone is born with value, made in the image of God. They matter. When we help someone else, it opens our eyes to seeing God in each other.

Question

What choices did you make today that makes the world a better place?
How did you use water?
How much rubbish did you throw away?
Were you able to walk instead of going in the car?
How much electricity have you used?
Have you done something for someone else?

Talk to someone about your answers, see what they say too.

Suggestion

When we love something, we help it thrive - from plants, to animals, to people. We look after plants differently than we would look after our pet cat, dog or goldfish! If we looked after a rabbit, the same way we look after a cat, the rabbit wouldn’t thrive and if someone looked after you, as if you were a gerbil, you wouldn’t grow and thrive as well as you could either.

On a piece of paper, draw five circles around the edges and write or draw something you want to care about - planet, people, animals, try and get a mix. Around each circle, fill in the gaps of the different ways you can help them to live their best life.

For inspiration, you might look at some stories of how different people have been helped to fulfil their potential by local charities.

Secondary School age

Why is this important?

You’ve probably got the ability to do something for someone today that will really help them out. And when you get stuck with something, it’s lovely to be helped by someone.

From the very beginning, God created us to need each other. When we help someone, or receive help from someone, God invites us to see God in one another.

Question

Do you prefer to give or receive help?

Suggestion

Tomorrow in school, keep an eye out for someone struggling with something and offer to help. Also, try to ask someone to help you with something. Notice how both actions make you feel.

Prayer Prompt

Read Matthew 25:31-46 (the parable of the Sheep and the Goats) and think of a time when you helped someone. Try to imagine that you were also helping Jesus.

Youth Leaders

Why is this important?

Jesus told us to ‘love each other as I have loved you.’ A key way that Jesus showed love was through service to those in his community and beyond. When we serve others humbly and selflessly, without the need for something in return, we embody something of the Kingdom of God.

Question

What examples of ‘service’ can you think of? Do you offer or receive any of these regularly?

Suggestion

As a group, think about who you could offer an act of service to in your community. This could be offering to do the refreshments after church or, more ambitiously, a litter pick in your local area.

Prayer Prompt

Take a large sheet of paper and write ‘God’ in the middle. Ask your group to doodle the names of people or groups they want to serve, or images which represent them. When you have finished, write ‘Amen’ at the bottom of the page.

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