Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is ministry that I fell in love with years ago. I have had the privilege of packing boxes, served as a short term volunteer, worked as a volunteer at the process centers in Southern California and recently began serving as year round volunteer for my area. OCC is a great opportunity to have children of all ages learn how they can they can share the gospel to another child around the world.
OCC is ministry of Samaritan’s purse that began in 1998.
Every year since, Samaritan’s Purse has collected shoebox gifts filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children around the world. Since 1993, more than 232 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. The project delivers not only the joy of what, for many kids, is their first gift ever, but also gives them a tangible expression of God’s love. (from the OCC website)
OCC Lessons
In the past OCC had lessons that I could use to teach children about the ministry of OCC and continue to use them when I teach children. They are no longer available on their website. I have included a link below that you download for your use.
OCC Children’s Workshop:
Several years I was asked to do a workshop for kids. I incorporated the four lessons from Awana and created a two hour program for children. Over time I have added and reworked some of those lessons. You can adapt each lesson to fit your class or children’s ministry program.
Objective in the lessons include:
- Studying the parable of the Good Samaritan
- Learning about the mission of Samaritan’s Purse
- Learning about the mission of Operation Christmas Child
- Learning how to pack a shoebox gift
- Learning how a shoebox gifts travels to each child
- Learning about the different countries that their shoebox gifts might travel to.
- Understanding why we give shoebox gifts
- How they are they can be a part of the OCC ministry
- Learn about what happens when a child receives their shoebox
- Learn about the program “The Greatest Journey”
- Learn about how the lives of shoebox recipients are impacted by hearing the Gospel
Here are two lessons I have done with my Preschoolers/Cubbies class.
Flag Lesson for OCC
Lessons using flags from around the world to introduce the ministry of OCC to young children.
OCC_Cubbie Lesson
Included in this lesson was a discussion about Alex, a shoebox recipient that had visited our club a few weeks before our lessons began. You can find a video from the website and choose one that would be appropriate for younger children to show them someone that has received a shoebox.
There are a variety of resources available for parents and teachers available here: samaritanspurse.org
