Challenge:  Send (or drop off) an anonymous gift to someone you know. 

“He must become greater; I must become less” John 3:30 NIV

When we give we don’t do it so we get the credit, but so others might experience God’s love through us! Giving anonymously is a great way to humbly remind ourselves that we must become less so that God might become more!

Some ideas to send:

• Easter Candy

• $5 coffee gift card

• Flowers

• Donuts or baked goods

• [For kids] Coloring book and colors

• [For kids] A story book

• [For kids] A craft or small toy

Bonus: Pray for them as you prepare to send the package!

Challenge: Start a giving jar and collect loose change to donate at the end of Lent.

 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God.’” Leviticus 23:22 NIV

In Old Testament times there was a law where the Jewish people were instructed not to harvest the edges of their fields. Instead, those edges of the field were a way to practice generosity and give food to the poor. While it might not make sense for you to leave a corner of your field unplowed (and most of us probably don’t even have a field), we can do the same practice with our loose change!

We encourage you to start a giving jar and set aside your change. At the end of Lent, pick a place to donate all the change you’ve collected. You might be surprised how quickly your change will add up!

Not sure where to donate? Consider one of Fusion’s partners like the Abbott House or AsOne Ministries.

For kids: If your kids get an allowance, this is a great opportunity to teach about giving! Have them help add some change to the jar from the allowance they are given and have a conversation about where the money is going and why it’s so important to give.

Challenge: Make a care kit to store in your car. Next time you see someone in need, give them this kit.

The Lord says: “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’” 

‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[f] you were doing it to me!’ Matthew 25:25-36, 40 NLT

At one point or another we have all come across someone in need. Oftentimes that person might be standing at the corner of the interstate or at the entrance to Walmart and at that moment we don’t feel prepared to help. This challenge is going to help you change that! 

Put together a care kit to keep in your car and have at the ready for the next time you encounter someone who is looking for some help with food or other resources. These kits can be simple or they can be more involved. You can find a lot of ideas with a quick search for care kits on the internet, but here is a list of ideas to get you started!

• Consider what you’ll use as a container:

  • A large water bottle

  • A ziplock bag

  • A drawstring bag

• Items you could include:

  • Food

    • Granola bars

    • Fruit cups

    • Prepackaged snacks

    • Bottles of water

  • Clothing

    • Socks

    • Fresh white shirts

    • Mittens

  • Toiletries

    • Toothbrush/toothpaste

    • Deodorant

    • Wet Wipes

    • Kleenexes

    • Soap

This list is not all inclusive! Feel free to get creative with it!

Challenge: Write a list of all the things you are grateful for. Be reminded of how much God has given you!

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” 1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV

Everything we have been given comes from God. We are only able to give because of what God has given us! Sometimes it can be hard to remember all of the wonderful gifts we have been given. These aren’t just material gifts! We are given things like health, family, skills or talents, friends, and more! Take some time to write a list of everything big or small you are grateful for and be reminded of how much God has given you!

Challenge: Make a plan to give to your local church. How can you further the mission of the church with your financial gifts?

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

The local church is an avenue that God uses to build his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. All the ministry the local church is able to do is because of the generosity of the congregation. Everyone who gives is truly a partner in spreading the good news of Jesus whether that’s through Sunday services, service projects, giving back to our community and more! We want to encourage you to make a plan for how you might partner in ministry with your local church whether that is Fusion or somewhere else! Your gifts will allow the church to be able to continue ministry in meaningful ways.

How to make a plan:

1. Pray about it! Ask God to lead you in how you can give.

2. Decide how much you want to give. Don’t do this out of compulsion or guilt, but out of what you feel led to give.

3. Decide how you will give. What works best for you? Consider looking into setting up recurring giving for convenience and to help you stay consistent in your plan!

 For Kids: Help kids learn the practice of giving at a young age! Help them to set aside allowance money or other money to put in the offering baskets. Talk to them about what that donation helps accomplish.