Let's Let Our Actions Speak!!!

If you are like me, you grew up hearing from parents, grandparents, teachers, etc. how our actions speak louder than our words. While an old saying, it is true so, today I'd like to consider how just a few actions can communicate our love, so much better than any amount of words. 

Every church has children who have a difficult time "connecting" with other children. What can we do to help these children feel like they genuinely belong? Consider the following -

• First of all, be alert. Notice. Pay attention. Watch . . . we can not help a child if we have not been paying attention. Make it a priority to notice if a child tends to be excluded, sits alone, doesn't participate, attends sporadically. Notice. I can not say this enough . . . pay attention and NOTICE!
• If you notice a child who seems to be left out, talk to their parents. Ask if they have any suggestions for how to engage and help their child feel like they belong.
• Find a prayer partner for this child - approach the "senior saints" in your church and get them involved in praying for children who are at risk of feeling unwanted. (By the way, it would be a great idea to have a prayer partner for each child in your ministry regardless of if they have trouble connecting or not.)
• Talk with the child's small group shepherd/teacher and ask for their suggestions - encourage them to make a point to intentionally engage the child - have them visit the home with you to connect with the parents and child outside of class.
• Approach key children in your ministry; challenge them to be watching for other children who may feel "left out" and help them think of ways to include these children.

These are just a few suggestions, but do not do nothing. Commit to pay attention, notice and focus on letting your actions speak!