Leading Our Children to Care
Serving together Leads our children to understand their place in God’s kingdom.
By: Jeremy Case, Head of School
When considering the ultimate aims of education, Charlotte Mason stated, “The question is not - how much does the youth know when he has finished his education - but how much does he care?”
That’s why Perimeter School cultivates both a love for learning and a heart for service so that our children can become people who care. Growing in knowledge and stewardship go hand in hand. Teachers and parents must prayerfully seek the wisdom of Christ to guide students to see the brokenness around them and truly desire to bind it up.
“The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.”
Psalm 103:6
We are all called to Participate in kingdom work
Serving together teaches our children to understand their place in God’s kingdom and live on mission to expand it. If we allow a child to only grow in knowledge without the gospel and a vision for kingdom living, we have failed.
God has called His people to be about the exciting and difficult work of bringing the gospel to children and allowing them to see their purpose and calling to bring hope, healing, reconciliation, and restoration to this world.
A student’s present educational vocation is not just to prepare him for a future role in the flourishing of God’s kingdom but a present calling to participate in kingdom work even as a kindergartener. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
We want to equip and lead our students into service of their King. That is why we have time and opportunities dedicated for our students to move beyond the classroom to respond in service. By learning not just to know, but to care, Perimeter School students can go confidently into the world fulfilling this call to serve.
The impact of our serving
One of the many things that had to look different in 2020 was our first service project. Rather than classes serving together, Perimeter School families united in an outpouring of service and the impact was huge! Our first Family Serve Day was such a blessing to the more than 30 nonprofits we partnered with. The prayers and acts of service of our students met critical needs being faced by the families in our community and greatly encouraged the staff and volunteers at our ministry partners.
Here are a few highlights to celebrate what God is doing through our students:
225 Thanksgiving food bags were packed
200 meal kits for kids were prepared
25 families made baskets filled with cleaning supplies for families at Rainbow Village
22 families made baskets for Fully Furnished Ministries to deliver with furniture
20 families made blankets for families in need
20 families made casseroles to bless foster families and Promise686
16 families made goodie bags to appreciate the staff at DFCS
15 families provided lunch and notes of encouragement for the Johns Creek High School faculty and staff
13 families made emergency food kits for Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries
13 families delivered food kits to Fill Ministries
13 families made comfort kits and toiletry kits for the Salvation Army
10 families served their local heroes (police, fire department, etc.)
9 families helped sort recyclables
9 families created Blessings in a Backpack/Emergency Food Kits
8 families made baskets for Wellspring
7 families made gift baskets for families being served by Path Project
6 families made Thanksgiving food boxes for Duluth Hands of Christ
4 families made baskets for Victoria’s Friends
3 families made gift baskets for UPPER90
2 families provided swag bags for Street Grace
1 family made a care basket for Atlanta Mission
And many families came up with their own unique ways to serve their community - organizing neighborhood food drives, helping a single mom or neighbor in need, donating items to those in need, cleaning up park areas, and many other projects.
Thank you for serving onsite with our nonprofits in the community or planning your own projects at home! What an impact!
Our next Family Serve Day on November 20 is not just another day designated to serve. It’s not a “have to” obligation, it’s a “get to” opportunity to lead our children and families in blessing the LORD as we bless others. Let’s head into this Thanksgiving season with grateful hearts longing to care for our community.
Perimeter School parents, check your inbox for more details about the November 20 Family Serve Day and to sign up for your serving opportunity.
God’s message to the powerless? “I am with you.”