The Power of Mercy and Kindness in Ministry

By Crystal Mazzuca 

Grace changes our lives and that transformational power can overflow to the kids we serve. 

Grace is God’s undeserved love given to people by God. Our lives have been forever changed by the amazing grace of God. The forgiveness God provides through Jesus is something we do not deserve, yet God gives it freely and abundantly. 

God works through the grace He gives us to impact kids, families, and our team members. 

Our Stories Change Our Perspectives 

When was the last time you recognized and remembered God showing you grace for something foolish on your part? God’s work in our stories changes our perspectives, doesn’t it? 

When we remember stories of God’s grace in our lives, it can shift the way we interact with kids. God showed us so much love despite our sin and wrong choices. He did not get frustrated. He did not ask us to clean ourselves up or to start behaving in certain ways. He incredibly loved us and sent His one and only Son to rescue us. And God continues to love and transform us as we follow Him. 

Kids come into our ministries from many different backgrounds and circumstances. Regardless of biblical knowledge and behavior, kids—just like us—they have stories that God is still writing. 

Remembering the love and forgiveness God has given us can influence our perspectives in Kids Ministry. God desires to show that same love and forgiveness to kids. When we recognize the ways that God has and continues to show us grace, we recognize the kids we lead are also works in progress and that God is working in them too. 

Our Actions Model Grace and Forgiveness 

We can model grace and forgiveness through authenticity and action. Authentically sharing about God’s grace in our lives in age-appropriate ways allows kids to see the incredible transformational power of God’s grace. This can look like sharing a story about asking God for forgiveness in our lives or inviting kids to pray with us about challenges. Authentically sharing the ways God’s grace has and continues to change us helps kids see that His grace is something which impacts their daily lives for good. 

We can also put words into action. Every time we respond to negative behaviors with grace, mercy, and forgiveness, we are helping kids see that God loves us the same way. Not only do our actions demonstrate the grace God shows us, but we demonstrate what it looks like to extend that grace to others. 

Our Attitudes Reflect The Lifelong Impact of Grace 

Moments of authenticity and action can impact kids for a lifetime. Kids learn that God’s love is not contingent on behavior. They see that God’s forgiveness is offered freely and fully. In a world that pressures us to perform and earn, kids learn God is different. The grace and forgiveness He offers is free because He already paid the price. And He continues to offer that love and grace over and over again. In a world that often tells us to perform, earn, strive, and make a bold statement, God simply calls us to be—be loved, be forgiven, and be confident in our true identity as children of God. 

The transformational power of grace in our own lives moves us to share that transformational power with kids. Let’s show grace, kindness, and forgiveness to others the same way God has shown them to us.