Great Family COVID Service Project

Let’s be honest. COVID has been tough on everyone. For some people though, the extra stress and strain on their daily lives has been unrelenting. People in healthcare, those with jobs in the service industry (restaurants, retail, transportation, etc.) and those in ministry have not only had to deal with what everyone else has, their entire day is spent listening to and/or helping those who are upset, angry, depressed, starving, dying or dealing with any of a hundred other tough life issues. Many were just hoping to get a break soon when the latest surge started.

While your family can’t give them the break they so desperately need, you can reflect God’s love to them and perhaps give them the strength to serve and minister to others for a little longer. You can also use this activity to teach your kids about a tough time in the life of David in the Bible.

Gather your kids and tell them the stories of David’s life between killing Goliath and becoming king. You can find most of these stories in 1 Samuel. Point out to your children that David was running from Saul for 13 years! You may even want to share a few of the Psalms like chapters 56, 57, 59, 60 and 142. Explain that David must have had many of the same emotions they have had over the past eighteen months.

Ask your kids to think of people who have jobs helping people who have not only had to deal with their own difficulties during COVID, but have also helped a lot of other people every day. Once they have listed several occupations, think if anyone you know has one of them. Don’t forget ones that may not be as obvious like teachers or people in ministry.

Help your kids brainstorm ways to show those people love and encourage them to keep helping others or take a break to care for their own health. You might want to bake cookies and write notes or put together little goodie bags. Something as simple as a flower cut from your yard can cheer someone’s day. It’s important to remember even things that may seem insignificant to you and your kids can make a huge positive difference to those who are overwhelmed on a daily basis.

As you work together to serve these people, talk about how important it is for Christians to be the “helpers” in tough times for those around them. Encourage your kids to think of ways they can help and encourage others in good times and not so great times.

Published by

Thereasa Winnett

Thereasa Winnett is the founder of Teach One Reach One and blogger at Parenting Like Hannah. She holds a BA in education from the College of William and Mary. She has served in all areas of ministry to children and teens for more than thirty years and regularly leads workshops for ministries and churches. She has conducted numerous workshops, including sessions at Points of Light’s National Conference on Volunteering and Service, the National Urban Ministry Conference, Pepperdine Bible Lectures, and Lipscomb’s Summer Celebration. Thereasa lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Greg, where she enjoys reading, knitting, traveling and cooking.

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