SBC Kids: InsideOut Parent Cue Oct. 26-Nov. 2

Last night we focused our attention back in San Angelo as we learned more about Rust Street Ministries, and the Daily Bread Wesley Soup Kitchen. In the Bible, God speaks often of the poor and needy. His love for the poor and oppressed is all throughout the scriptures and helps paint the picture that we are to care for them. He commands us to give generously to them and to speak up on their behalf. (Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9) We are to show mercy and compassion to one another. Billions of people around the world live in poverty. The economy shuns them. The environment attacks them. They suffer physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Family Discussion Questions

1. How accurate are commonly held stereotypes about poverty?
2. How would your life change if you lost your home and how would you spend your time if you became homeless?
3. What are some ways that you can help minister to those in need right here in San Angelo?
4. Do you think that hunger is a big problem in the world today?
5. Do you think there are kids in San Angelo that worry about not always having enough to eat?

Hunger Simulation

We introduced the students to the issue of hunger and inequitable distribution of food and resources in the world through a hunger simulation activity that was developed by the World Food Prize Foundation. We had 5 squares taped down on the floor indicating 5 regions in the world; North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The kids pulled a ticket out of a bag indicating an assigned geographical region. This is how our split ended up:

North America - 3 children
Latin America - 5 children
Europe - 6 children
Asia - 20 children
Africa - 6 children

After the children were split into their regions, we had a snack of goldfish that represented all of the available food in the world. It was divided up between the different regions based on the amount of food that is actually available to the people there:

North America - 4 goldfish
Latin America - 3 goldfish
Europe - 4 goldfish
Asia - 4 goldfish
Africa - 2 goldfish

Each group had a minute to decide how they would split up their snack. Many groups tried to break theirs into pieces so everyone could have a portion. North America took their extra one and gave it to another region. Some of the kids in Africa and Asia did not get anything to eat. It was a very eye-opening experience.

Deeper Discussion Questions

1. Talk to the kids about how the food was distributed. Do they think it was fair?
2. Do you think that we should care that so many people in the world are hungry?
3. How do you feel when you are hungry?
4. What are some ways that we can help fight hunger around the world and right here in San Angelo?
5. How can you make the world a better place both personally and with your family?

Want to get involved?

Rust Street Ministries provides help with basic needs and life skills, at no charge, to those living in the San Angelo area. Their programs are designed to serve the spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical needs of our community by providing temporary assistance with food, clothing, household items, furniture, and more. Southland provides monetary funding for their budget and send volunteer teams to serve their needs. If you’d like to volunteer with Rust Street contact Matt Walton in the church office.

Every third Saturday of the month, groups from Southland prep food and serve at the Daily Bread Wesley Soup Kitchen. This is an opportunity to serve the least of these in San Angelo. If you are interested in serving at the Daily Bread Soup Kitchen, contact Lew Burnett, d_lburnett@suddenlink.com.