Note: This step is designed to challenge students to come up with their own way of contributing to a charitable project over the next month. If you opt to organize your own project together as a class, adjust instructions in this step accordingly. (If your class is meeting online, send the charitable organization info to teens so they can print it ahead of time. Invite them to bring printouts and pens/pencils to class.)

Before class, print out and cut apart a list of charitable organizations for each student (the list can be found here; two per page). Contact your church benevolence committee to see if there are any church-wide charitable drives or organized projects that are on-going or seasonal. If there are, be prepared to share that information with your students as well.

We all would like to think we would do whatever is necessary to help someone in need. Sadly, that’s not always the case.

• If we were to be perfectly honest, was there ever a situation or time when you chose to look the other way rather than give of your time, talent, or money to someone in need? Why? (You may want to share an experience of your own to encourage your students to share honestly.)

Let’s brainstorm ways that could help us become aware of and gain more empathy for the poor; write down at least three. Hand out paper and pens. Give students time to think and write. Then let volunteers read what they wrote down.     

It’s so easy to forget about those who consistently live with great needs in their lives when we tend to live around those who have all our needs met. But God has blessed us so that we can bless others.

This month, let’s answer God’s call to share with those in need. Hand out the lists of charitable organizations along with pens/pencils as you challenge your students to get their family or a group of friends to plan and pitch in on a project contributing money, time, and/or talent to help the poor. (If your class is meeting online, invite students to have supplies ready at home.)

Ask each to contribute what they feel they can. You might organize a non-traditional Christmas party where the guests assemble Christmas “goody” boxes of hats, gloves, toiletries, snacks, and other items for homeless children. Or you may offer to serve at a local soup kitchen, sponsor a child living in poverty through a reputable organization, or have a clothing drive for the homeless. You may decide to collect money to give to the Salvation Army during the holidays. This list is by no means exhaustive—there are other fine organizations nationally and locally you might prefer to plug into. If your church has an ongoing church-wide project already taking place, talk with your students about that opportunity and write that information on the whiteboard (or screenshared document).

Whatever you choose, keep a journal of thoughts, attitudes, expectations, and results of your project. As a family or group, discuss the experience and talk about how each person’s life on both sides was or could be affected. Remember to check in with your students weekly over the next month to share how their projects are going.

It is important to keep in mind that God wants us to give out of the blessings He has given us. In Acts 20:35, Paul reiterates Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than receive.” He demonstrated this for us while on earth and has asked each of us to live a lifestyle of giving. This isn’t always easy, but if we ask God to help us recognize the needs of others, and are willing to sacrifice because Jesus sacrificed for us, then we will be obedient to the Word of God and have the opportunity to show His love, mercy, and grace to others.

Close in prayer.