Creating Compassionate Families Day 5

When Calling Meets Passion

Big Idea: Taking small steps to make big changes in the world!

Is it really possible for us to change the world? The idea seems so big. How can we encourage our children to be world changers without setting them up for disappointment?

The key is the ripple effect. If your family helps one person, then that person helps another person, and on and on … well, the possibilities are endless!

Spend time identifying ways you can “speak up” for people in your lives — from classmates to neighbors to children who live in poverty. These small acts of kindness will take only a few minutes, but can literally change the world — your world.

As you stand up for others you know, it’s possible that you’ll find ways to stand up for those you may not yet know, but who really need your help.

Being World Changers

How can you help your children understand that they can change the world … in real, tangible ways? Not someday when they’re grown up, but today? Use this video and the following conversation starters to help your children understand what it means to change the world, one person at a time.

• What do you think it means to “speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves”? Are there people in your life who can’t speak for themselves?
• Has there ever been a time when you didn’t feel like you could speak for yourself?
• Did it surprise you that someone as young as a teenager could make such a big difference?

Ripples of Change

SUPPLIES

• Paper
• Markers

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Talk as a family about someone in your life who you can help. Make it simple … sitting with someone at school who feels lonely, taking dinner to a neighbor, etc.
2. Write that person’s name in a small circle on your paper.
3. Discuss who that person could help. Whose life could they change? Maybe a brother or sister. Or their children.
4. Keep it going. For example, your family wants to help Mary. Mary can help her parents. Her parents can help their neighbors. And on and on. See how many circles, or “ripples,” your family can make!
5. Post your “Ripples of Change” drawing somewhere you can see it daily, and encourage your children to pray for those whose names you’ve written in the circles.

Proverbs 31 NASB

The Words of Lemuel

1The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:

2What, O my son?

And what, O son of my womb?

And what, O son of my vows?

3Do not give your strength to women,

Or your ways to that which destroys kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

It is not for kings to drink wine,

Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

5For they will drink and forget what is decreed,

And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6Give strong drink to him who is perishing,

And wine to him whose life is bitter.

7Let him drink and forget his poverty

And remember his trouble no more.

8Open your mouth for the mute,

For the rights of all the unfortunate.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously,

And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

Description of a Worthy Woman

10An excellent wife, who can find?

For her worth is far above jewels.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her,

And he will have no lack of gain.

12She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

13She looks for wool and flax

And works with her hands in delight.

14She is like merchant ships;

She brings her food from afar.

15She rises also while it is still night

And gives food to her household

And portions to her maidens.

16She considers a field and buys it;

From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17She girds herself with strength

And makes her arms strong.

18She senses that her gain is good;

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hands grasp the spindle.

20She extends her hand to the poor,

And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,

For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She makes coverings for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing,

And she smiles at the future.

26She opens her mouth in wisdom,

And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27She looks well to the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and bless her;

Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

29"Many daughters have done nobly,

But you excel them all."

30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31Give her the product of her hands,

And let her works praise her in the gates.