Expensive Gift

Focus on thankfulness to Jesus for His great sacrifice!

Ask:
How would you feel if you gave a very expensive gift to someone and he or she tossed it aside or didn’t even open it? (Disappointed, sad, hurt that they didn’t care about your gift)
How would you feel if you saved a friend’s life, who never even said “thank you” or talked to you after that? (Same as above!)

After dinner, share your own feelings of thankfulness to Jesus for your own salvation, how your life might be different without Him, the changes He has made for good, or what is yours because of His sacrifice. Let the children express their thankfulness and close it out with a sentence prayer from each family member.

Sacrificial Giving

Ask:
What does it mean to sacrifice? (One definition says, “the giving up of something prized for the sake of a higher claim” –dictionary.com)
What are some things we can “give up” that we value so we can do something for or give something to Jesus? (Sacrifice time, money, or things)

Discuss ways you as a family can sacrifice as a thank you to Jesus. (Love shows itself in actions.) Ask for their ideas of something to give up. Everyone in the family can give away something valued to someone in need—a loved and in good condition toy or a favorite book for a child at a shelter. Or everyone might pitch in with a gift of time and plant some bulbs or flowers at the church (with permission) or pick up trash (using gloves) at a park.

Displaying Thankfulness

Serve a meal of rice and water (with no snacking after dinner) and give the money you would have spent on a meal to a relief organization to help feed others.  Or if your family eats out once a week, sacrifice your weekly treat and give the money to a food bank or rescue mission.

Ask:
How can we show our thanks to Jesus? How can we give this money to Him? (By helping those who are hungry and in need)

Read Matthew 25:34-40 (Jesus said that when we give to others in need, it is like giving to Him.)

How Much Does It Cost?

When you take your child to the store, ask him to pick out something that he wants. Ask him to tell you the price. Then asks if he has enough money to buy it. (probably not unless you have a very frugal kid!) Give him your money (that you worked hard for) to buy it.

Note: It doesn't have to be money that you sacrifice, it could be time.

Later, ask:

Why do you think I gave up my money for you?

Assure them that you sacrificed some of your money, because you loved them and wanted them to have it.

How did Jesus sacrifice for you? (He knew you couldn't pay the price for sin -a sinless life- so He gave His life so you could have your sin taken away and go to heaven some day.)

 How does that make you feel? (thankful, glad, etc)

Say a prayer of thanks for Jesus' sacrifice.

His Sacrifice and Broken Pencils

Another way to illustrate sacrifice is to take two pencils - one brand new and the other chewed on, missing the eraser and very short.

Ask your child which is the best pencil. Then take the brand new pencil and break it in pieces.

Tell them Jesus was the perfect Son of God, yet His body was broken for us. We are sinful, yet He sacrificed His life for us.

"I'll love you till I die for taking my licking for me!"

Read or tell the story below to illustrate sacrifice.

Many, many years ago in the mountains of Virginia there was a boy's school class which no teacher could handle. The boys were so rough that the teachers resigned.

A young gray-haired teacher applied for the job. The old school director scanned him up and down, then said, "Young fellow, do you know what you are asking for? An awful beating, that's what. Every teacher we've had up there gives up in defeat. The young teacher replied, "I'll risk it. Let me try."

Well, when he appeared for duty in the little school, one big fellow, Tom whispered out loud, "I won't need any help; I can lick him myself."

The teacher said, "Good morning. We have come to conduct school."

The students yelled a sarcastic "Good Morning" back at the teacher at the top of their lungs.

"Now, I want a good school," the teacher continued, "but I confess, I don't know how unless you help me." Suppose we have a few rules. You tell me and I'll write them on the blackboard."

One fellow yelled, "No stealing!" Another chipped in, "On time!" Finally ten rules appeared. "Now, said the teacher, "a law is not good unless there is a penalty attached. What shall we do with the one who breaks them?"

"Beat them across the back ten times without his coat on!" came the shout.

"That is a pretty severe punishment boys, are you ready to stand by it?"

A yell in the affirmative greeted the teacher. "All right", said the teacher, "then school comes to order."

In a day or so "Big Tom" found his dinner was stolen. Upon inquiry the thief was located - a little hungry fellow about ten. The next morning the teacher announced, "We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rule - ten stripes across the back! Jim, come up here!"

The trembling little fellow came up slowly with a big coat, buttoned and pinned up around his neck. He pleaded, "Teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like but please don't make me take off my coat."

"You helped make the rule," reasoned the teacher, "take the coat off."

"Oh teacher, don't make me!" he begged, but the teacher's stern face showed no leniency, so he began to unbutton. And what did the teacher behold? The lad had no shirt on and only strings for suspenders over his bony little body.

"How can I whip this boy?" thought the teacher. "But I must do something if I am going to keep this classes' respect."

Everyone was quiet as death. "How come you came to school without a shirt, Jim?" asked the teacher.

"My father died, and we ain't got much. I only have one shirt, and mother's washing it today, so I wore my brother's coat to keep warm."

With a sigh of a heavy heart, the teacher hesitatingly grasped the rod in his hand. Just then "Big Tom" jumped to his feet and said, "Teacher, if you don't mind, I'll take Jim's licking for him."

"Very well, there is a certain law that one can take another's punishment for him. Are you all agreement?"
With the classes consent Tom removed his coat, and after five strokes the rod broke. The teacher bowed his head and thought, "How can I finish this awful task?"

Then he heard the entire class sobbing and what did he see? Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around the neck. "Tom, I'm awful sorry, Tom, I was so hungry. I'll love you till I die for taking my licking for me!"

Author Unknown

Read Isaiah 53:3-6. Ask your older children to draw a picture of what those verses mean.

Made With Love

Make a special dessert (heart shaped cookies or Rice Krispie treats or brownies cut out with a heart-shaped cutter) for someone that could use a little extra love. Make homemade valentines to take with you and surprise them.

Secret Sacrifice

Someone's Trash is Another Kid's Treasure

If you haven't done any cleaning out after the holidays, it's not too late. Ask your children to look through their toys and find one or two toys (still in good shape) to give to someone in need. Donate them to a shelter, a rescue mission, or a family that could use them.