Inspire
Notes To Families
Dear Families,
I am so glad you are expressing interest in taking your family to visit residents in care facilities.
Going to a care facility is an intentional way of serving Jesus and leaves a lasting
impression on your children.
Parents have the largest influence on their children’s faith. There is no better way to reinforce serving Jesus as our example.
As parents, we do not have all the answers for our children, and many times our children do not know the questions to ask when it comes to their faith. However, many unknown questions get answered in our example.
There is a captive audience of people in care facilities that are waiting for you to come and share the love of Jesus. Our experience shows that you will find unexpected joy when you decide to go and love.
When you are at a Care Facility, you are creating a wonderful memory and absolutely doing God’s work no matter how small it is. It has great importance because Jesus works through one person, three, five, ten, or twenty. God honors us when we show up in faith.
Intergenerational Time Well Spent:
One of the beautiful things about visiting a Care Facility is that they will be so glad to see
you! According to The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults: “Teenagers
and young adults experience improved peer relationships and higher levels of self-esteem
and self-confidence. Toddlers and young children develop greater social acceptance and
increased respect, compassion, and empathy.”
The residents love to see little ones! Bring them in and allow them to see the residents. This can boost the residents’ health and well-being.
Little ones have a unique way of helping the elderly forget their age for a time. This interaction can bring many benefits to the residents:
- The indirect results of the elderly interacting with children are increased movement, more outside time, and greater confidence in their physical abilities.
- Interacting with young ones can help residents forget their own physical limitations and have a greater desire for involvement.
Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for
orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt
you.” James 1:27
It is a joy to serve our Lord alongside you. The harvest is great! A harvest of “people brought to eternal life.” We reap when we have not done the work. This is joy! Oh, what joy!
- Choose Skit/s to perform.
- Skits are great for busy schedules
- They take less time than the plays, are very simple, and take little to no practice. Doing a skit will be one of the most enjoyable, memorable, and impactful memories you and your children will make together!
- Your children will learn to interact with people of all ages and from all different walks of life. They will practice critical thinking and problem-solving as they plan, practice, and perform for the residents.
- This experience will also increase social interaction and a sense of purpose. The more your children interact with older adults now the more they will be able to handle the transition into adulthood later.
- Call the Activity Director at a Care Facility and set a date. See “Contact Care Facility Activities Director” (Hyperlink to “Contact Care Facility Activities Director”)
As you present the idea of going to a care facility to your children, they may not be too excited about the idea at first. Here are some suggestions to Equip and Prepare them for the visit.
2. Equip:
- The story “The King’s Love for His People” will teach your children about God, and why He sent His Son, Jesus to die for us.
- Teens and children may think that following God is about a long set of rules. This story helps them to understand that what is most important is the relationship with their Creator, Father, Lord, Savior and King. “Equip Young Leaders Agenda” is meant to make the story interactive between you and your child.
- There are six questions throughout the story. Each one may prompt curiosity about seeking the truth about Jesus which will most likely
generate questions. It is good to create an environment where children feel safe to ask questions and not feel reluctant in seeking truth. This will equip them for this new opportunity to serve others in care facilities and beyond. - Going to a Care Facility – What to Expect This also helps children understand the fragility of life, and when our bodies get older, we may need someone to visit us as well.
3. Go and Watch What God Does:
- Go, and enjoy interactive time with the residents, and be sure to invite residents to receive Jesus as Savior. See “Interactive Time with the Residents” for suggested prayer. Sing about God’s faithfulness, His love and dance with the residents!
- Here is the mystery—God’s Word never returns to Him empty!
- “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:11
- When we bring God’s Word and play songs about Jesus, residents hear and understandGod’s love for them!
I can’t explain it; the Holy Spirit does the work. We just show up and watch Him work. And what a joy it is to be a part of! What joy to remind residents of God’s love for them and to bring the very best news they will ever hear.
Because no one has ever loved us or will ever love us (or our children) as much as Jesus does.
He was there when we took our first breath, and He will be there when we breathe our last! (And He will be there when the residents take their last breath too.)
Love begins with:
1. Believing we cannot do it on our own.
2. Asking God who can help us.
3. Trusting God will help us when we ask.
“I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” 1 John 5:13-15
Notes To Youth Leaders
Dear Youth Leaders,
Thank you for considering Contagious Joy programs for your youth group.
First, let us recognize you have an especially important job. You are making a difference in the lives of the youth (young leaders), and the time you invest in these “young leaders” is well worth it. Thank you for making a difference.
As a Youth leader developing a relationship with the youth can be challenging, however, so important.
Contagious Joy gives you as the leader, an opportunity to guide the youth in a new adventure that enables them to witness your love and faith in following Jesus from the “equipping” phase to the “going” and serving phase.
As you get involved you will find renewed zeal, energy and enthusiasm in your ministry.
In the process you will help the youth:
- To find their identity in Jesus and play a role that will have influence in their community.
- A place to explore their gift or talent.
- An opportunity to serve and accomplish something worthwhile.
- Helps strengthen the “trust relationship” with the youth which will give you an opportunity to support them through some important and difficult decisions they are making in their young life.
Examples of Encouraging Youth Who May Be:
Quiet:
If some are hesitant to play a role, try to encourage them to play a secondary character. If they are not interested, there is plenty of room for everyone to have a part. Youth who do not want to act and are gifted in other ways can have a part of creating the backdrops and props. They can also be a part of the set-up crew.
- Example: Devon was a bit shy. He did not want to play a character role; however, he agreed to be a part of the set-up crew. He did his job well, organizing the props per scene.
At the first play, he was not comfortable mingling/dancing with the residents after the play. On the second day, and the second play of the day, the Youth leader
grabbed his hand and joined it with a resident. After that, he became very comfortable and went out on his own to mingle/dance with the residents. He even volunteered to fill in on a secondary part for one of the youth members who was sick!
Reluctant:
You may see the youth be apprehensive in the beginning because they do not know what to expect. With encouragement, you will see them rise to the occasion and really enjoy it. It is great to see the transformation of what God is doing right before our eyes. Allow God to use you by asking Him to help you see the children through His eyes.
- Example: Katie raised her hand when we asked who would like to sing “Creation Calls” by Brian Doerkson. She raised her hand with hesitation; however, with a little encouragement, she did it! We saw Katie’s faith soar as she sang the song. (“Creation Calls” is a powerful song. We played it before the performance to help prepare/calm residents and youth.)
At-Risk Children:
Some may be dealing with struggles in life or at home.
- Example: April, whose father was incarcerated, played the main role in the play “Esther.” She was hesitant at first but was able to meet others and build friendships with others. Her confidence in God increased through the time she spent doing these plays. And she became more comfortable relating to the residents. See April’s testimonial in the “Personal Testimonies” section.
Anxious/Nervous:
The first-time experience can cause some to be anxious or nervous. This is a good time to remind the youth who they will be visiting and why. Consider reading “Notes to Young Leaders” and share the example below.
- Example: Vince was a bit nervous about performing in the memory care unit because he was not sure what to expect. Our last show was performed in memory care. Gene, a resident, sat in the front, wide-eyed, anticipating what would happen as we were setting up. We began to converse with Gene, and share with him that God is always with him. Tears began to well up in his eyes as he explained “My mom taught me all about God.” After the performance and during our interactive time, Gene received Jesus as Savior that day! As we left, he called out, “Thank you for coming to tell me about Jesus!” Later, Vince shared that he was happy he went to meet the residents in memory care!
Gift Musically:
During practice, you will see certain talents and gifts in the children. Ask them to use their gift during the program.
- Example: Dee played the piano well, so she would play songs before the play while we were setting up.
PRAY
The first and most important step is to pray.
• Pray for each youth / young leader.
• Pray for the residents, that each will hear and see God’s love for them.
• Pray for wisdom.
• Pray about which skits or play to perform.
• Pray about the dates of when the performances should be.
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:37-38
1. Choose: Skit/s or Play to perform.
Whether you choose to do the skits, or a play will determine the length of time you will invest in the program:
Skits:
• The skits will take little to no practice and memorization.
• If you are just looking to introduce the youth to the idea of serving in a care facility, the skits are a perfect start.
• This may also be an opportunity to incorporate one of the skits in your church service. Doing the skit at church beforehand allows the youth to contribute to their church community and serve others in their community on the same day.
Plays:
• The plays will take more practice (about six practices), time and memorization.
• The plays begin with you as the leader; however, you are not meant to do this alone. We have prepared a support letter to be given to the parents encouraging their support and help. It also gives biblical answers to specific challenges their children may be facing. (See “Notes to Parents of Young Leaders”)
• Each play has a theme that teaches the youth how trusting in God is always the best way.
Call: The Activity Director at a Care Facility and set a date. See Contact Care Facility Activities Director.
2. Equip: Read the story “The King’s Love for His People.” It can be difficult to help youth understand that following Jesus is not about keeping “all” the rules, it is about having a relationship with their God, Creator, Lord, Helper, and King. The story will help youth:
• To go deeper in the irrelation ship with God and ask questions about their doubts.
• Understand we are serving God, in the name of Jesus, by visiting those in care facilities – who are isolated, lonely and need to be reminded of God’s love for them.
• We are serving God, not to earn salvation, (Salvation is only through the blood shed by our perfect Savior, Jesus) but because we love Him.
There are six questions throughout the story. Print a copy of “Equip Young Leaders Agenda” for each of the youth to follow along. The “Equip Young Leaders Agenda” gives youth the opportunity to write down and ask questions, while allowing them to talk about their faith. This communicates that their questions are important, and their search for truth matters.
• The agenda will be used differently depending on whether you choose to do the skits or a play. Skits take little to no practice time, you can work though the each question in one sitting; therefore, it helps strengthen the relationship between you and the youth. Plays take more practice time, and the question in the agenda is meant to nurture the relationship between you and the youth which also builds trust.
Working your way through the agenda each practice, you will find the connection
between you and the youth grows deeper.
You will find the section “Going to a Care Facility – What to Expect” to be helpful in preparing the youth for the visit. Since most have probably never been to a care facility before, they may have some reservations and uncertain expectations.
3. Go. Enjoy interactive time with the residents and be sure to invite residents to receive Jesus as Savior. See “Interactive Time with the Residents” for suggested songs and prayer. Sing about God’s faithfulness, His love and dance with the residents!
Being a part of a skit or play will help young believers be bold in their faith. The more they go, the easier it becomes. Personal growth happens the more we stretch ourselves out of our comfort zone, which is why doing the same program in several care facilities brings the most benefit to both the youth and the residents.
You will find the youth begin to recognize their God-given gifts and talents they did not know they had. You will also see their relationship with Jesus grow deeper, trust Him more, love Him more, and desire to serve Him more. When you have finished with the scheduled performances don’t be surprised if you receive several requests from both the youth and residents to come back again. Because the joy of Jesus takes on a life of its own and becomes overwhelming contagious!