| "People will know that I am a follower of Jesus if I | | | | the role of a servant is so contrary to the way |
| get caught doing good deeds," says Emma, 8. | | | | we think, but it's the way Jesus said people would |
| Being caught for doing good deeds? | | | | know his disciples. |
| That isn't the way it worked at the elementary | | | | People will know you're a disciple "by the way you |
| school I attended. But that's the policy instituted | | | | act," says Faith, 9. "It's what's inside. More like |
| at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy where Emma | | | | your attitude. If you have a bad attitude, people |
| attends. When students get caught for doing | | | | aren't going to think about you being a Christian." |
| something good, teachers send them to the | | | | You can't fake it. "A merry heart makes a |
| principal's office. There they choose a prize from | | | | cheerful countenance," says the Proverb (15:13). |
| a treasure chest packed with all sorts of goodies. | | | | Every face needs grace. Even a beautiful or |
| The only thing I remember about visits to the | | | | handsome face can appear ugly if the heart is |
| principal's office is the board. I treasured every | | | | agitated or depressed. |
| instance in which I walked away from a visit | | | | I was amazed one day when the owner of a |
| without feeling the effects of that board when I | | | | health food store I frequented asked me why I |
| sat down. | | | | was always smiling. I didn't realize my joy was |
| Anna, 7, says Jesus' disciples will love people by | | | | showing. |
| "telling them about Jesus, giving stuff to poor | | | | "I try to help people as much as I can," says |
| people and making pictures for grandma, grandpa, | | | | Abby, 9. "I try to help my mom with dinner. I will |
| sister, brother, mom and dad." | | | | feed my birds, also. My mom usually fixes salad. I |
| Consider yourself blessed if a child draws a picture | | | | help." |
| for you. Some of the greatest gifts I've ever | | | | Enroll in God's Discipleship University by being |
| received have been from young children who | | | | faithful in whatever he gives you today. God |
| drew pictures for me at Kids Talk About God | | | | honors faithfulness in small things by promoting us |
| Arts Festivals. Whether the art is a masterpiece | | | | to greater opportunities to demonstrate his love. |
| or simple stick figures, one thing remains | | | | Think about this: Jesus demonstrated his love by |
| consistent. Children's faces always beam when | | | | offering his life as a sacrifice for the sins of the |
| they hand me their pictures. | | | | entire world. Jesus followed his Father's will all the |
| Jesus had taught that the way up in his kingdom | | | | way to the cross so that we might receive |
| is the way down. That's the direction Jesus went | | | | eternal life by believing in him. |
| when he demonstrated how his disciples should | | | | Memorize this truth: "Greater love has no one |
| love one another at the Last Supper. He started | | | | than this, than to lay down one's life for his |
| the evening by washing feet. Jesus performed a | | | | friends." (John 15:13) |
| task normally reserved for servants. | | | | Ask this question: Would anyone accuse you of |
| At the Last Supper, the apostle Peter initially | | | | being a disciple of Christ? |
| objected to the Lord washing his feet. Taking on | | | | |