Monopoly to Teach Stewardship?
Turn
Home Group time with the kids or family game night into a truth-in-life teachable
fun time!
Play Monopoly as usual, but set up an imaginary church next to the bank. A
can with a painted cross on it would be a good visual reminder. This container
will
then also hold the money given to the church. When kids earn money from passing "Go" or
collecting rent, encourage them to tithe 10% to the church. Don't make this
a rule, however, because gifts should be from the heart and given cheerfully.
(2
Corinthians 9:7)
As your game progresses, keep returning the discussion to tithing. As the parent,
friend, or group leader, use the donation to bail people out of jail and to purchase
a house or hotel. Then make the house/hotel into a rent-free homeless shelter.
(You get the idea.) When your time is up, ask the kids how it felt to give money
to the church and whether tithing affected the game's outcome (It won't-but I
hope it affects their attitude and perspective on giving!)
Ask
the kids if they enjoyed giving to see what the church could do with their
money.
Ask what would happen if the church didn’t have the money to carry
out the community ministries. Help them connect the truth to their life by
discussing how the church cannot do these acts of care and compassion without
their financial support and involvement.
I pray any children who were initially reluctant to give a tithe from their
GO money or income received would by the end of your playing time cheerfully
give it to the church! Maybe you as parents will, too!
Preview resources for teaching children nursery – age 12 about stewardship in the library.