Big Idea: What makes us generous? When we know how much Jesus has first given us.

Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:8-15

Parent Prep: The opening line to this passage is 'I am not commanding you.' If you've ever tried to 'command' your kids to be generous, you'll already know why Paul writes this statement. 'Generous' is not something you can force someone to be. You can make kids be 'giving', but 'generous' is another thing entirely. It's a joyful attitude of the heart. Generosity is less about the amount we give, and more about the 'sincerity of our love,' as Paul says in verse 8. As all parents know, you can't command a sanctified and joyful heart attitude when giving – it has to be grown by the Holy Spirit. So, in teaching generosity, the best way to help our kids grow 'sincere in their love' is to help them know and experience the generous love of Christ by our actions and words. This way, instead of forced or grumpy giving, generosity becomes an overflowing act of worship in response to what they know they have received, and are blessed to hand on. This week we will focus on the generosity of Jesus, in order that our kids' hearts grow in response to His love for them.

Read: 2 Corinthians 8:8-15 in a children's Bible, and watch this video on Generosity, here.

Listen: Have you ever been given a gift that you loved? What was it? How did it make you feel to receive that gift? Who gave it to you? How did it make you feel towards that person when they gave you that gift?

Talk: Read together. Read James 1:17 "Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same." What good gifts has God given you?

The best gift God has given us is life, through Jesus. Read 2 Corinthians 8:9 again together. "You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that Christ was rich, but for you he became poor. Christ did this so that by his being poor you might become rich." Jesus gave up everything He had as the rich King of Heaven, to come and live as a man here on earth. He was born in a stinky stable, grew up in an average home, and then when He was a grown up, he didn't even have a house. He travelled around and stayed with people, giving all His time, and work to the people He loved around Him. Then He died like a poor criminal. Only the lowest people were hung on crosses. Jesus didn't even have his own tomb. It was borrowed from a rich man. But Jesus became poor like us, so that we could know the riches of heaven. The richest part of heaven is that we are called 'sons and daughters' of the King. We are with God – His princes and princesses, forever. Close to Him forever and always.

Ask Knowing that Jesus has done this for us, how does that make you feel towards Him? If He was sitting at our dinner table, what would you say to Him? It's nice to give gifts back to people who give us gifts. What would you give Jesus as a present to say thank-you for His generosity to you?

Jesus says the best gift we can give Him is our hearts. When we choose to love Him most, as King and Rescuer, that's the gift He wants most of all. He tells us that if we do love Him with our whole hearts, that we are in His family. And families take care of each other. This is why we are asked to be generous to others in our church family. Paul says it's not about giving so that we miss out and others have lots, and it's not just about giving money. In a family, we share whatever we have – time, kindness, food, jokes, stories, holidays, belongings, and money – with our family so that everyone has enough. That's why Paul says, "the goal is equality' – if we have been given lots, it's so we can share with others that they would be able to know God's love, kindness and blessing, too.

Do: Put all your family's names on pieces of paper and place them in a hat or bowl. Each family member draws out a name (making sure they haven't drawn their own). This week, each family member must make, buy or give that person a gift. At the end of the week, everyone will have received a gift. Use the opportunity to talk about how it feels to both receive, and give gifts (whether they are big or small!). 

Have a great week!