I wrote this post on behalf of Adventures in Odyssey and Tyndale. I received Adventures in Odyssey Our Favorites in exchange for an honest review. This is not a sponsored review and all views and opinions are of my own and were not influenced in anyway.
The Bible is full of wonderful verses about serving others. Here are just a few of them out of several:
Hebrews 13:16
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Philippians 2:1-13
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ...
As a mom of 5 children ages 8 and under it is my ministry to teach my children the importance of serving others whether it be their siblings, parents, friends, strangers, etc. God has called us to serve others.
So what is serving? Serving is using our God given gifts and talents to help others. Adventures in Odyssey has come out with some wonderful tools to help you teach children about serving, this program is called A.C.T.S.
Adventures in Odyssey, the beloved audio series from Focus
on the Family, has encouraged kids toward a stronger faith for 25 years. Whit,
Connie, Eugene, and the other lovable characters from Odyssey have shared
countless adventures with kids across the world in the classic audio dramas,
books, videos, and devotionals, fulfilling the AIO promise to help kids
discover, imagine, and grow.
This summer, Adventures in Odyssey is joining with Christian
bookstores across the country, inviting kids to participate in a Summer of
Service. They’re promoting the biblical message, “When you serve, everybody
wins,” encouraging kids to serve their families, their communities, and their world.
Whether it’s baking cookies for an elderly neighbor or putting together a care
package for missionaries overseas, kids will discover that serving
can be a blast!
How the A.C.T.S. (A
Call to Service) challenge and contest works:
Kids who join A.C.T.S. can pick up a service log and collect
fun character stickers for hours served at participating bookstores throughout
the summer, or download a serving log online at whitsend.org. At the end of the summer, kids can record and
upload a short video telling how they serve and why they’d like to become an
Adventures in Odyssey Ambassador.
A hundred winners will get the brand new AIO Album, and
after online voting, two grand prize winners (one boy and one girl) will get to
travel on an exciting Good-Goers Mission Based Adventure trip to another
country with a parent! The
out-of-country destination will be announced on a live podcast May 22—hosted by
AIO actors Katie Leigh (Connie) and Chris Anthony (Chris)—which you can watch
at whitsend.org/acts.
You don’t want to miss it!
One of the few ways we serve in our home is by making homeless bags. When we leave our home at least one time during our travels we see someone standing in a median holding a sign "homeless, will work for food", "need a job" or "I am hungry". God has really stressed upon my heart to do something about it. What He stressed up in my heart I didn't want to share with anyone but my children because the Bible says to keep helping others between Him and yourself BUT I am sharing because maybe someone else can benefit from this post or idea. I decided to get my kids involved. I picked up white lunch bags and had my kids coloring them. My 5 year old decided to write God (heart) you on them, even my 1 year old is coloring them. Inside I will print off scripture verses accompanied with crackers (or some type of packaged food) and a bottle of water. I will hand them to the less fortunate, as I do my children and I will pray for them.
God has a part for everyone to play in His larger story! This summer, we want to challenge you to serve your family, your community and even your world. Serving is anytime you put someone or something before yourself. What can you do? How will you help?
Here’s how to simply get started with the A.C.T.S.! Challenge:
- Track what you do using a Clubhouse Path of Service poster. Or, You can pick up a serving sheet at displays in participating Christian bookstores, and return to collect Odyssey character stickers as you serve.
- Download a free episode about serving: The Business of Busyness
Learn more about A.C.T.S. (including the destination for the grand prize) and hear from Katie Leigh and Chris Anthony live! The web cast is May 22 at:
5:30 pm Eastern
4:30 pm Central
3:30 pm Mountain
2:30 pm Pacific
ACTS is offering a free downloadable mp3 file of the AIO Service episode, available by downloading this LINK plus you can download summer service ideas for kids, also available HERE.
What a great way to for children to spend their summer, by serving others!
Thank you to Adventures in Odyssey and Tyndale for the opportunity.
Mama to 4 Blessings is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
this is a wonderful program! I love being able to serve others and looking in the scriptures for inspiration and encouragement on it :)
ReplyDeleteLove the focus of this in teaching kids to serve! Adventures in Odyssey is great!
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful way for a child to spend their summer. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great program! I'm not religious, but I do think all children should be taught to help others, regardless of what their religion is. It's a beneficial lesson for all.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I think the lessons of Christianity get lost easily. Service to others is an easy way to serve God - helping feed the homeless on a regular basis is great way to do so.
ReplyDeleteThis a great program. That's a great way to teach kids about serving.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great program!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great program to encourage kids to help out in their community!
ReplyDeleteThis program has been around for ever, at least adventures in odessy. I remember as a child, we weren't allowed to watch tv for religious reasons, and mom would turn this on every night
ReplyDelete