After prayer, the third highest indicator that pointed to lasting faith in the LifeWay survey was service. A little further down the list was participation in mission trips and projects. What this indicates is that children who put their faith into practice are more likely to have a faith that lasts. Paul teaches that believers are “[God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God works in and through Christians by giving us acts of service. Through these pre-prepared good works, God molds and sculpts us into the image of Christ. When we serve we are “walking in” these good works. This is a mark of a mature faith. If we do not actively give our kids opportunities to serve, how can we expect them to have a mature and lasting faith? Here are a few practical ways to help your kids serve:
- Model service for your kids. As with each way to give your kids a faith that lasts, if you don’t lead by example you can hardly expect to have success. Make joyful service a regular part of your walk with Christ. As the psalmist says, “Serve the LORD with gladness!” (Psalm 100:2).
- Serve with them. Go on a missions trip with your child. Or, if your church brings meals to families in need, volunteer to cook a meal with your child. Volunteer for a church work day to clean the building or maintain the grounds. If you’re not sure where to start, check with your pastor or ask a deacon; there are many needs in every local church!
- Be active members at your church. Don’t be consumers at church. It’s very easy to slip into the mentality that church is there to meet your needs and cater to your preferences. Quite the opposite, Paul writes that God gave the church pastors and teachers “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12). We go to church so that we can receive the necessary teaching and training to go out and serve others.
- Help your kids recognize opportunities to serve. Teach them to spot people in need. Perhaps it’s someone at school who is alone during lunch, a church visitor who seems lost, or a friend who seems to be having a bad day. There are people all around us who need to be listened to, encouraged, and supported. Pray that the Holy Spirit would make you and your children’s hearts sensitive to these opportunities.
- Help your kids discover the gifts and passions God has given them. Paul tells us that “grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Ephesians 4:7). In other words, Jesus has given each of his sheep gifts to be used in service of his kingdom. Learn about your child and the way God made them so that you can help them be good stewards the gifts God has blessed them with.
True saving faith, faith that lasts, is displayed by an outpouring of good works. As James says, “as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26). A vibrant and lasting faith leads to service. Teach and show your kids how their faith can bear fruit.
