May
28
Written by:
host
5/28/2009 7:00 AM
Today let’s talk about stewardship! And to make things more interesting, let’s talk about teaching stewardship to children! In the minds of many adults, the word stewardship has become linked to “asking for money”. Many churches discuss stewardship once a year, when asking people to make a pledge to support the church’s financial needs. Not many children have financial resources of their own, and therefore, with this narrow definition of stewardship, children are often not involved in stewardship programs.
Let the Children Give: Time, Talents, Love, and Money by Delia Halverson reminds us that stewardship is a broader concept than simply raising money to meet a budget. A steward is one who manages the affairs of others. As Christians, we are all (regardless of age) called to be caretakers of God’s creation by using the talents God has given each one of us.
Halverson’s book is an excellent resource containing ideas and activities useful for teaching children what a steward is, and how to be a good steward. Let the Children Give outlines stewardship learning goals for each age level. The chapter on integrating stewardship learning into your regular curriculum provides ideas for spontaneous and planned activities that will introduce and reinforce the terminology and concept of stewardship.
Five chapters of the book provide stewardship activities that span a full spectrum of learning styles, including art, drama, writing, games and music. Two chapters of the book discuss celebration and hands-on experiences and involving children in your church’s stewardship plan. A bonus chapter at the end of the book outlines a mini-retreat on stewardship for children and parents.
Halverson emphasizes that teaching children about stewardship is essential if we want them to continue to be good stewards throughout their lives. Let the Children Give provides many practical ways to accomplish this goal.
~Sally Hoelscher