by Sally Matheny
If you choose to adventure on a mission trip, here are a few helpful tips on how to prepare your children.
During family devotion times, include scriptures
on serving others.
Regularly share with one another how God is working in your life and it will become easier to conduct these same conversations with those outside of your home. Give older children opportunities to practice sharing their faith in a comfortable environment before stretching beyond their comfort zones.
Remind the family of how God works through our weaknesses. Recall Moses, Paul, and people of today who have reached others through the power of God. God enables ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Destination
Remind your children they are there to serve others and how to do that
in a way pleasing to God. Perhaps role-play appropriate and inappropriate ways
(ex. with humbleness and with haughtiness).
Testing comes when the unexpected occurs. Understand that the spiritually
maturity levels vary in each family. Teach by example by showing the fruits of
the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Zeal
Let
your love and enthusiasm for the Lord overflow to your children.
Has your family ventured on a mission trip together? Share with us your
helpful tips!
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| Take Your Family on a Mission Trip! |
In making your summer plans, have you considered a family mission trip?
A trip planned for serving others, rather than ourselves, puts our faith
into action. When we practice sacrificial
giving and serving, our faith grows. Flexibility and working as a team strengthens
the family. Leaning to trust God with the details, and most of all, the results
of our efforts, trains us for further service.
If you choose to adventure on a mission trip, here are a few helpful tips on how to prepare your children.
Prayer
Essential for a successful trip, with all
its details and decisions, is earnest prayer. Through prayer and discussion, focus
on the purpose of the trip. Remind one another of the Great Commission and
everyone’s need for Christ. Pray continually for the people your family will
serve. Every detail—the victories and the snags—are entrusted to God.
Bible Study
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| Share scriptures on serving others. |
Regularly share with one another how God is working in your life and it will become easier to conduct these same conversations with those outside of your home. Give older children opportunities to practice sharing their faith in a comfortable environment before stretching beyond their comfort zones.
Remind the family of how God works through our weaknesses. Recall Moses, Paul, and people of today who have reached others through the power of God. God enables ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Whether it is within or outside the United States, research the culture
of the area you will serve. Host a special family night. Serve foods commonly
served there. Watch a movie or read a book about the area.
Show your children the destination on a map. If possible, let them highlight
your travel route and allow them to take this map on the trip.
Discuss how this is not a vacation. It’s not all about our comfort and
pleasure. While there will be fun moments, the focus is on the mission.
Packing
Allow children to help with some of the
packing. If there is a required packing list, let children help check off
items. Give them choices, when possible—even if it’s between two colors of
shirts. This will be another opportunity for children (and parents!) to
practice flexibility and sacrifice.
Will you be taking items to the people you
will be serving? This may be Bibles, VBS materials, candy, or other supplies. Enlist
the help of your children in collecting and packing the items.
Traveling
Pack a backpack of items to keep your child entertained during travel. Consider
small toys, card games, art supplies and snacks. Pull out that map with the
highlighted travel route. Allow children to trace over the line as the trip
progresses, circling areas of interest.
Help them collect mementos at each stop. Collect items such as tree
leaves, area information from free brochures, and camera shots. When you return
home, these can be transferred to a scrapbook or lap book.
Encourage children to share these with
family and friends as a way of testifying to God’s goodness on the trip.
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| Befriending another child is ministry. |
Serving
If possible, plan service opportunities that include each member of your
family. Running errands, assisting with laundry or just befriending another
child are areas of ministry. Stress how God uses all things (big and little)
for His glory.
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| Serve with a humble spirit. |
Also, remember to include Jesus. Repairing a roof for someone benefits
him now, but sharing Jesus Christ with him offers eternal rewards. Be
intentional and pray for opportunities to witness about Christ’s love.
Spiritual Warfare
If your children are old enough to understand good and evil, then they
will understand that obstacles and difficulties will arise. Discuss the
importance of prayer, staying in the Word, and not giving in when difficulties
arise. Before the trip, talk about possible trials and temptations and how the
family can help each other.
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| Testing comes when the unexpected occurs. |
Although no one wants difficulties, they produce a wonderful time to grow in our
faith.
Zeal
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| Never lacking in zeal. |
“Be
devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be
lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be
joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:10-12
(NIV)
Excited about
planning your next family trip? Below are a few links to get you started!
