Christmas is almost here! Can you remember the excitement shivering up and down your spine and bursting energetically out through gleeful screams of joy? Or maybe you sheepishly remember the pouting whines of disappointment after you unwrapped yet another present that you didn’t ask for or want. Being thankful for the generosity of others wasn’t the first thing on your mind. Neither was being generous to others. Because of our own experiences as immature children, we know the importance of teaching our children to be generous rather than selfish.
The focus of Christmastime should be on the Savior, who was born to die as the substitute for our sins. Though peripheral to the main point of Christ’s substitutionary death (which was far more than simply an example of generosity for us to mimic), a fitting application of this event is to recognize the generosity of God’s gift to us and in turn to demonstrate generosity by giving gifts to others. But how can we instill a generous spirit in our children?
Teaching
Precept: James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:17-18
Example: The Good Samaritan
Generosity is evidence of true faith. This presupposes that generosity isn’t going to be easy. It will take faith because giving usually demands sacrifice. What kills generosity? Selfishness. What compels it? Compassion. Giving a Christmas present to a friend or classmate may seem insignificant. It’s usually a small token that’s ancillary to that person’s survival or livelihood. But it may be revealing. How generous are you toward others even in little things?
So how can you naturally weave this biblical precept into your classroom teaching? If you’re teaching geography, you can open up students’ eyes to the other parts of the world where people are in great need. Then ask them about their own community. If you’re teaching math, you could teach them (in regard to finances) that a good use of their material gain is helping to provide for others’ needs (Eph. 4:28; 1 Tim. 5:8; James 1:27). Generosity is also giving of oneself even in nonmaterial ways. Helping each other with their classroom chores or explaining a hard-to-grasp concept are ways that your students can be generous with their time.
Modeling
We all know the old saying that actions speak louder than words. It may hurt to ask ourselves the tough question, but are we modeling materialism or generosity? Classroom teaching is important, but so is our deportment outside the classroom. Social influences from friends and teachers can powerfully affect students’ lives so that they conform to that acceptable social standard. If the majority of the normal conversations are geared toward getting the latest gadgets or designer clothes for our own Christmas presents rather than focused on reaching out to those in need, then that’s the spirit children will catch. Most likely it’s already the spirit they’ve seen modeled elsewhere and have conformed to. We don’t want to be curmudgeons, but we can steer the conversation toward others’ needs when there are opportunities for them to get involved in helping others.
Involving
What needs can students actually see and meet in real life? Is there a class activity or field trip that involves them in a community project? Is there something that they have learned in school that gives them a skill that they can use for others? For example, an art class or family and consumer science class could participate in a project to make something for lonely people in a nursing home. An English class could write notes of encouragement along with a book giveaway to a children’s shelter. A music class, choir, or band could proclaim the good news of the gospel by performing in the community. Every opportunity should be used as an avenue to communicate human value for those made in the image of God (Creation) and give hope to the hopeless (Fall) because of Christ’s gift (Redemption).
Behavior must be rooted in beliefs (foundation), but it is formed through examples (reinforcement) and practice (opportunities).
How do you help ground your students’ beliefs and form their behaviors?