Helpful Heart: Week One
I hope you enjoy this devotional designed for ages 4-8 to teach your children how to have a helping heart. Read the italic section or paraphrase with your children to fit their age level. For a pretty, printable version of this devotional, click here. -Taylor
Introduction: Of all the people in the world, who do you think has the most beautiful heart? Jesus has the most perfect heart! He shows how beautiful His heart is by His character- the way He acts towards God and others. Can you think of some character traits that Jesus shows? [kind, responsible, prayerful] We want to be like Jesus and have a beautiful heart too!
Define Helpful: Today we are going to learn one of Jesus’ character traits. Jesus is helpful! Helpful means to do something for others. 
Give Examples: Can you think of different ways you can help others? How can you help a little brother or sister? (wait for answers) How can you help your mom and dad? (wait for answers) How about helping someone in a wheel chair? (wait for answers) There are many ways we can help others, and when we help them, we are showing the love of Jesus to them!
Learn from Jesus: Let’s find out some examples of how Jesus helped others in the Bible.
Read Matthew 15:30 : Jesus Heals Many: “Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.” (NIV)
Questions to Consider:
What are some ways that Jesus helped people?
Did Jesus ever get tired of helping people?
How can we be like Jesus and help people who are in need?
Summary: Jesus loved to help others. He listened to people who were hurting, healed people, taught them about God, gave people food who were hungry, and prayed for people. Jesus wants us to go and help others too. When we help others, we can share the love of Jesus with them!
Prayer: Let’s pray together and thank Jesus for showing us how we can help others.
Dear Jesus, thank you that you showed us how to help others. You say that you did not come into this world to be served but to serve. Help us have a heart to serve and help those in need too. Amen
Helpful Heart: Week Two
Let’s Review: We are learning about Jesus’ beautiful heart and how He loves to help others. What does it mean to be helpful? Do you think God wants us to help others too?
Learn from the Bible: Let’s read 1 Thess. 5:14 to see what the Bible says about helping others. “Help those who are weak.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 ERV
According to the verse, who does God want us to help?
Who do you know that you can help?
Bringing It Home: I am going to give you some scenarios, and let’s decide how you can be helpful in each situation.
- A friend falls and gets hurt on the playground; you are enjoying swinging really high when it happens. What should you do to have a helpful heart?
- A lady with small children is having trouble opening the door at the store. What can you do to help?
- Your sister drops her milk on the floor at breakfast. You are still tired and don’t feel like helping, but what can you do to have be helpful?
- Your friend at school does not understand math. What can you do to have a helpful heart?
Let’s Practice:
Click here for a video for your kids to watch about being helpful.
Let your children help with chores this week and praise them for being helpful.
Encourage your children to find someone they can help as you run errands, such as holding the door open for someone or helping load someone’s car with groceries.
Memorize 1 Thess. 5:14. Click here for a link with a tune. When we memorize God’s Word, it helps us remember to follow His ways!
Prayer: Let’s pray together and ask Jesus to help us have a helpful heart.
Dear Jesus, please give us opportunities to help others this week. Help us to be mindful of serving others, not just ourselves. Amen.
For other great ideas for helping others as a family, please read my post, Raising Children Who Help Others.
Would love to hear from you! Please scroll down to leave a comment about this devotional!
