CULTIVATING GENEROSITY IN CHILDREN

Jesus entreats, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 19:14) In what ways do we hinder our children for whom trusting and sharing in the Lord's provision may be more easily assumed and practiced? What values and behaviors do we communicate and model for our children to observe and imitate as they develop as Christian stewards? Do we practice rituals of gratitude, hospitality, and generosity and do so without sounding a trumpet, "letting not the left hand know what the right is doing?" (Matt. 6:2-4) How may the Lord's seed be planted at the dinner table, birthday parties, grocery cart, chores, family time, homework, bedtime stories, and holiday celebrations so that His seed might inspire private generosity in our children?

This session will provide a framework for critical reflection and a chance to explore intentional practices in everyday life that cultivate generosity in our children from toddlers to teens. 

Hollie Benton, M.A. has served the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative as their Executive Director since September, 2019.  She is a member of St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church in St. Paul, MN, where she directs choir and Ephesus School. Hollie holds a Master’s degree from St. Vladimir’s Seminary and has taught music for many years, including a year abroad in Bucharest, Romania. She formerly worked extensively in IT operations and project management. Hollie and her husband, Richard Benton, PhD, served the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, 2002-2012, in regional capacities and at UW-Madison, UW-Seattle, and UMN-Minneapolis. They support international exchange, recently hosting Basque, Serbian, Georgian, and Bosnian students, and their daughters, Nellie and Kalista, are currently studying in Spain and the Netherlands.  

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