EKKO KIDS

Teaching our kids about OFFERING

ie t i v i Act
Example
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. Take the time to do it together, especially on family service days at the end of the month.

wardship i n s t i ll i n g s t e for kids

money jars

Drawing
If your child does not receive an allowance or does not really comprehend the value of money, find other ways to give. For example, have the child draw his or her love offering to God. Have your child draw something that he or she did as an offering during the week, such as share or help around the house.

You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly 2 Corinthians 9:7 ti th ing & of f e r i n g l e sson ide a

hen children learn how to give tithes and offerings at a young age, they carry the practice into adulthood. You can teach your children the principles of financial obedience and faithful stewardship through these fun and playful lesson ideas. Step 1 : Explain that God instructed each of us to tithe. It is important that children know that this is a command given by God and it is written in the bible.

Step 2: Hand 10 objects, such as chocolate chips, jelly beans, or animal crackers. Tell them to pretend that these objects are equivalent to money. Read Proverbs 3:9-10 and discuss how we honor God by giving Him our firstfruits. Ask children to put the first object aside and let them know that this is tithe, firstfruit. This is what we give to God. Step 3: Tell children to eat 5 of the objects. Explain that the 5 they ate were for food and other things we needed to buy.

Prayer
Have your child write out a prayer of thanksgiving, praise report, or a God sighting as an offering.

Generosity
Instead of giving money, have your child give a toy, book, or snacks to donate to the church. Teach the child what it means to give to be a cheerful, generous giver.

Money Jars
Have your children separate their money into jars (tithing, saving, spending or spend, save, give). Allow them to see their money grow with purpose and meaning.

Ask them how many are left. They should have 4 objects left. Set a stuffed animal and a house on the table. Explain that the house is our church. Talk about how we give more, in addition to tithing, to the church as an offering to show our love and faithfulness to God. Explain that the stuffed animal is hungry and has no money. Give children an opportunity to share some of their leftover objects to the animal. Explain that this is offering and it is giving more after we tithe.

Alternatives Not all children have allowances or money, but be creative! There are other ways children can give as an offering. Each child is unique so find something that is valuable to him or her and make sure it is meaningful time for him or her.
Resources:
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/ explain-tithes-offerings-churchkids-11800.html http://www.ehow.com/ info_7882248_activities-teachchildren-tithes-offering.html

Tithing, saving, spending jars for kids. A great project for older kids to help them manage their money. Resource listed below.
http://blog.bitsofeverything.com/2011/02/ money-jars-for-kids-tutorial.html

O FF ER ING PR A YER

H e lp in g K id s to pray
Each week, we will be asking a child to pr ay for the offering. Please take the time to help yo ur child prepare his or her prayer.. This is another grea t opportunity to give onto the Lord. I will send out an email reminder to the parents the week th eir child is up for pray er.

starting NOVEMBER...
We will have our very own offering time with the children in the concert room. Lets prepare with them and instill the value of faithfully giving to God. Lets teach them what it means to be good stewards. email questions or concerns to caroline@ekkochurch.com

Thank you!

H Ekko Kids