Compassion International helps Christian parents build bridges between their children and God’s global family. Learn more about raising kids who care for the least of these.

When Jesus taught us to “do unto others,” he wasn’t just offering a guide for polite behavior, he was inviting us into a radically different way of seeing the world and our place in it. For Christian parents, this teaching presents both a profound challenge and a beautiful opportunity: how do we raise children whose hearts naturally turn toward others in a culture that constantly urges them to focus on themselves? 

For many families, the weekly calendar overflows with activities. There’s nothing inherently wrong with busy days—hours spent in educational and enriching environments can nurture our children’s God-given talents. But when combined with games and algorithms that cater to personal preferences and cultural messages that elevate self-absorption, Christian parents face a sobering question: Are we, despite our best intentions, raising self-centered children?

If these concerns resonate with you, take heart. While we live in a society that often suppresses virtues like self-sacrifice, humility, and kindness, parents who seek to honor Jesus in their homes can do so through practices that are as simple as they are countercultural. Through intentional conversations, shared stories, and activities that open children’s eyes to others’ needs, families can embody Christ’s teaching to “do unto others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).

The Kitchen Counter Revolution

When children are very young, it’s developmentally appropriate for them to see themselves as the center of the universe. By age three, however, they’ve typically developed the capacity for empathy, but that empathy requires consistent nurture and guidance to flourish.

Parenting expert Traci Bixley suggests that parents can cultivate this virtue in moments as ordinary as preparing lunch on a kitchen counter. Imagine a father making sandwiches while his preschool daughter helps and her brother plays outside. After asking about her sandwich of choice, he might ask what she thinks her brother would like.

Children often default to their own preferences, Bixley explains. But simple follow-up questions, like “I know that’s your favorite, but what would your brother be most excited to have?”, create space for considering others’ needs and desires, which is a foundational step toward Christ-like compassion.

So The Story Goes

Research shows that storytelling does more than entertain—it cultivates empathy by placing us in unfamiliar mindsets and circumstances. This proves true whether through fiction or real-life narratives of people whose experiences differ from our own.

Consider Grace, a ten-year-old from Washington state, whose family sponsors Gabriela through Compassion International in El Salvador. Through exchanging letters, Grace has discovered that she and Gabriela, despite living worlds apart, share many similarities. They’re both responsible for helping with dishes in their households, but while Grace uses a dishwasher inside her home, Gabriela washes them by hand at an outdoor sink in San Salvador. One girl lives with her parents and brother in Washington; the other with her mother and grandmother, along with a few chickens and a pet duck named Chepe. Their letter-writing friendship has opened both girls’ eyes to how other children live—Gabriela learning about life in suburban America, and Grace understanding the daily realities of growing up in El Salvador’s capital city. 

This act of comparison helps children understand that while circumstances vary widely across God’s creation, there are dreams, desires, and dignity within each person, whether they live down the street or around the world.

Play with Purpose

Beyond conversations and stories, hands-on activities offer kids tangible ways to develop global awareness and Christ-like concern for others. Compassion International, which partners with churches to release children from poverty around the world, provides families with creative resources for this journey.

An activity that ties in everyday experiences can be a great place to start—even if it’s something as basic as drinking water. Through an exercise called “Clear the Way,” children learn firsthand about clean water access, which can be a daily challenge for many of their global neighbors. Traditional games like Osselets, Huevo Quemado, and Plastic Bag Ball offer fun while naturally opening discussion about different cultures. Even simple letter writing can turn abstract ideas into tangible friendships through empathy and compassion.

Have a kid who loves to help (or snack) in the kitchen? Bake Indonesian cookies together and take a few minutes to read about the culture. 

Eager to incorporate more Scripture in your family’s routine? Compassion offers devotionals that help children see the world through Jesus’ eyes.

Raising a geography savant? This interactive World Map introduces young minds to global perspectives through kid-friendly facts about various countries, such as their favorite sports, local animals, and claim to fame.

A Counter-Cultural Path Forward

While our culture may whisper that self-fulfillment and personal happiness are life’s highest goal, Jesus continues to show us a better way. His path calls us to look beyond ourselves, notice those in need, offer practical support, and share our resources with open hearts. Jesus reminds us that whatever we do for “the least of these,” we do for him (Matthew 25:40).

As Christian parents navigate raising compassionate children in an increasingly self-centered world, we’re not alone. Through simple, intentional practices and resources from organizations like Compassion International, we can help our children develop hearts that ask, “What would I want others to do for me?”—and then go forth to do likewise.

For additional resources on raising globally-minded, compassionate children, visit Compassion International’s family resources page.