Educating Leaders - No Conveyor Belt Education Here!

October 17, 2006 - Ten Practical Ways to Grow a Servant's Heart

This past weekend I picked apples for the second time in my life.
If you recall last year at this time, I told you about our apple-
picking experience. We picked 51 pounds last year, so I scaled
back a bit this year - only 27 pounds.

Actually, I want to take my kiddos this weekend since they missed
all the fun. The farm where we picked apples also has apple
cider presses. We can press our own apple cider-yum, yum!
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There is a bit of irony in the article I'm sending today. I was
looking through 2 of my favorite resources for a few
practical ways for my children to grow in
Biblical Womanhood & Manhood. I turned to a
section in Polished Cornerstones that we haven't
done, yet. (I mark the year we do each section in Polished
Cornerstones - '98, '99 ...) As I perused the chapter on
Respectful Woman, I moved on into Supportive Woman. I made
several notes.

Then I found a similar section in Plants Grown Up. It was all
about Service. These titles and activites intrigued me because
the last few weeks God has been placing on my
heart the importance to serve others
inside and outside our church. I need to lead my children
by example, involving them in service...like I did when they were
younger.

The past two years I became more involved in our business.
I want my children to see the importance of hard work. But, I
also want them to know the purpose of hard work is to free up our
time so we can serve our Lord by serving others!

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So, why am I telling you about Supportive Women, Service for Young Men and Serving Others?
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One of the most important aspects of being a leader is your
ability to serve. You may think servant and leader are
opposites, but that is not true. Let's look at Christ's words
about leaders and servants.

The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those
who exercise authority over them are called benefactors. But not
so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let
him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves.

For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves?
Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the
One who serves.
                                       Luke 22:25-27

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life a ransom for many.
                                        Matthew 20:28

As you raise your children to lead, you must continue to
give them opportunities to serve the Lord by serving others.
Since you homeschool, you have the freedom to serve others in
your homeschool. Take a look at a few ideas you can use today.

TEN PRACTICAL WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN GROW A SERVANT'S HEART

These service suggestions start at home, move to those in your
church and eventually to unbelievers around you. Several of
these ideas can be used in a traditional academic setting. Turn
your child's reading or writing into an experience about Serving
with a Cheerful Heart.

1. List practical ways you can help your mom or dad's projects,
interests or goals for the family. Put these ideas into action.

2. Serve one of your siblings for a day. When you are finished,
make a list of other ways you can serve your siblings. Keep the
list close by so you can put those ideas into action.

3. Write your own paraphrase of Philippians 2:3-11.

4. Devote a day to serve your father/mother in any way you can.

5. Read the gospel of Mark. List all the ways Jesus served
those around him. Next to each service, write what you can learn
from His actions.

6. Offer to help another family for a day (or regularly).

   Elderly couple or widow/widower
   Family with disabled member (parent or child)
   Family with young children

7. Study the lives of men and women in the Bible who cheerfully
served others. Write down their names and what they did. Then,
make a list of the ways you can learn from their examples.

8. Find a place you can serve in your church.

9. Learn to perform menial tasks in your home: quickly,
cheerfully, and completely.

10. Babysit (without charge) for a young couple so they can go
out on a date.

(adapted from Polished Cornerstones and Plants Grown Up)

Remember: Service isn't just the actions, but the attitude, as
well. As you involve your children in serving others, talk to
them about their attitude and their desire to serve. When your
children are grown and naturally want to help you around the
house, you can be assured they have developed a servant's
mindset.

Take a minute and make your own list. Be sure to add them to
your calendar, so you don't forget.

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You may reprint this complete article as long as you don't change or add to it and include the bio below. You may substitute your affiliate link in the bio.
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Kerry Beck, author of Rasing Leaders, Not Followers, encourages parents to think outside the box as they raise their children to lead wisely. She wants to give you a Free Report at RaisingLeaders.com
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Any other ideas to encourage a Servant's Heart, post a comment.

Blessings,
Kerry
...who can't wait to tell you about a great opportunity to serve around the world!!!

Learn more about raising:
Servant Leaders

category:

Raising Leaders, Not Followers
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October 19, 2006 - Plants Grown up

Posted by belindaletchford

I would be interested to read how you use Plants Grown up as a resource in your family.
Belinda

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October 20, 2006 - Plants Grown Up

Posted by LeadershipEducation

Actually, the first books I used from this publisher were For Instructions in Righteousness and Polished Cornerstones. I used FIR to encourage my kids to break their sinful habits. I chose Polished Cornerstones because my oldest two are girls. That first week, I chose a different chapter each week or two. We memorized one of the verses and did some of the activities. I still have a vivid memory of my girls (around 9 & 11) going to an older ladies' home to see how she stays organzied. They spent an hour talking to her and looking around her home.

I bought Plants Grown Up a couple of years later for my son. I am much looser about using these guides than the first year. I usually look for similar topics in each book and have the kids do a few of the activities. We will discuss the Biblical perspective of that topic, using the verses at the front of the chapter. Then, we do the activities. It's not a real big deal now.

The first year I did have each of the girls keep a notebook with all their work in it. Now, I just have them work through the activities/readings. We often choose a group project to do together.

I know this is a bit rambling, but I hope it helps.

Kerry

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A place to interact about teaching our kids without following the conveyor belt model of the government schools. Think outside the box and provide a leadership education for your children. Other musings are included on a regular basis :-)

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