Raising Uncommon KidsPrøve

Lesson Title: The Need Next Door Character Focus: Kindness Prayer Focus: Neighbor/Neighborhood Focus Verse: COL.3.12 [Illustrations included in this devotional are not visible in this view. Illustrations are only supported in the Bible App for iOS, Android, and at Bible.com] Before kids can cure the crises of the world, they need to discover the needs next door. While it may take a village to raise a child, the concept of community is rapidly disappearing from our culture. Technically speaking, our “neighbor” doesn’t just live next door, but is the person near us wherever we find ourselves. Applying that knowledge means that our opportunities for outreach immediately multiply. Wherever we find ourselves in life, I can assure you it’s not by accident. Even the most unusual circumstances or surroundings can offer an opportunity for you and your family to demonstrate kindness. Facilitating simple acts of kindness while still allowing kids the creativity to develop ideas of their own for how to give back forms the foundation of this final step of cultivating a new attitude toward others. Thought to Ponder: Once we put an end to parenting in fear, we pave the way to truly preparing our family to be good neighbors. Make it Practical: Neighbors may already be used to having kids ring the doorbell to sell them fund-raising items, but have you ever considered showing up on their doorstep simply to give them a gift? I love getting in the kitchen with my kiddos, but honestly, we don’t need to eat everything we bake. So when we can bless someone else with a homemade treat, it gives us the joy of spending time baking together and then blesses someone else with an unexpected gift.