1 Corinthians 12:4-7 - "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men."
We spoke about spiritual gifts with the kids tonight. We started by having each of them put their thumbprint on a sheet of paper, the same sheet of paper. Then we passed the paper around and compared thumbprints and talked about how different God made each and every one of us. We have different likes and dislikes, different looks and styles, different DNA, different personalities, etc... We also have different spiritual gifts.
We took out a toolbox we'd brought then and passed the box around letting the kids take turns taking items out of the box. We had the usual...a wrench, a screwdriver, a hammer, sandpaper, etc... Then we added things like a whisk, wooden spoon, pen, ruler, and art paints. As the kids took the "tools" out of the toolbox, we had them tell us what jobs each tool could be used for.
God has many different tools in His toolbox (the church). Each is special and has a special purpose. We wouldn’t use a whisk to hammer a nail, but a whisk is very useful in cooking. In the same way, we are all equipped with unique gifts for God's purposes and glory.
The kids expected to find a hammer, screwdriver, and wrench in the toolbox. In the same way, many times we only expect God to use the pastor, deacons, elders, or Sunday school teachers. In reality, God wants to use each and everyone of us. God has created us unique and different. He wants us to use our gifts for Him.
We took the items out of the toolbox again, but this time asked the kids to think of ways each could be used by God and who might use such a tool. For example, the hammer may be used by a missionary, someone helping fix a roof, or a Christian construction worker; the pen may be used to write encouraging notes, write down memory verses, used by a teacher, to write a check to a missionary, etc...
We asked the kids to brainstorm then about other tools, gifts or abilities God has given people, including themselves, that can be used for His glory - ex: singing, drawing, helping others, sports, etc...
Lastly, we pulled out a Bible we had hidden in the very bottom of the toolbox and explained that it is the most powerful tool that God has given to us! We must make sure we have it in our toolbox for everyday life. Studying it, learning what it has to say about how we live, and memorizing the Scriptures in it equip us as workers for the harvest and give us the skills needed to share the Good News with others and lead them to Jesus. Matthew 9:37-38 - and this is a tool that God gives to all of us and asks us to learn to use...no matter what our spiritual gifts may be.
In closing, we told the kids we had a gift for each of them. We called them up one at a time and gave them each a small wooden craft box. The boxes were all different on the outside, just as we are. They weren't very ornate and we didn't give the kids things to decorate them with. We explained to the kids that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary things and that He doesn't need us to be flashy, sharp dressers, or good-looking. He just needs us to be willing to do whatever He asks, whenever He asks, and wherever He asks. And He can use anyone...a tentmaker like Paul, a homemaker like Priscilla or Aquila, a shepherd boy like David, a preteen boy or girl like them.
We asked the kids to open their boxes then to see God's greatest gift to the world we live in. In the bottom of each box was glued a piece of mirrored paper reflecting the kids' own faces when they looked in. As Christians, we are God's gift to the "world" around us. He has equipped us with the gifts necessary to carry His Word to the ends of the earth, proclaiming His message of salvation...His free gift to all who will listen.
