How to help kids during fearful times in our world – Explaining difficult events to children should be done appropriately and carefully as we lead them to understand the heart of Jesus for all people and how He wants us to treat each other.
I wanted to share a creative way of how to help kids during fearful times in our world as Christian parents and teachers. Even the youngest of our children have most likely been exposed to the tragedies throughout the United States over the last few month and days. How can we help our children understand what is going on when we as adults are having a difficult time processing all the hate and violence?
My intent for this article is to come alongside each of you and help you navigate the current and tragic issues with your children from a Christian point of view. This article is not a treatise on today’s headlines, but simply a few words and a couple of heartfelt ideas that I think might be an encouragement to your children.
Today, I want to give just a few thoughts and one craft idea that I hope might be a proactive and creative way to help your kids focus on Jesus during this difficult time.
1.Limit your children’s exposure to the fearful events.
I remember when 9/11 happened years ago. My children were 11 and 8 at the time. I had the TV going all day, when all of a sudden I realized that I needed to turn the TV off so that my girls would not be inundated with the horror of the event. Children are smart. Do not underestimate how much they “pick up” from the TV or radio even if they are playing or doing something else at the same time.
2. Read and share encouraging verses of God’s love and protection.
The Psalms are filled with wonderful words of hope and peace. Psalm 91 is one of my favorites to share. Here is a video that gives Psalm 91 in pictures that your children might enjoy watching.
3. Take time to show genuine love and affection to your children.
Hopefully, you already shower your children with lots of hugs and kisses throughout the day, but during fearful times, affection can go a long way.
Having said that, I want to point you to one of my favorite Bible verses that I wrote a song for several years ago from Colossians 3:14, which says: “Clothe yourselves in love which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
Take a look at this video that shows the moves to the song:
What a great Bible verse to apply to our own lives and to all lives, because as we know ALL LIVES MATTER to Jesus.
In light of the current tragedies around the United States of America, I want to give the following craft that I encourage you to do with your children. It is a group of 6 children, of all different ethnicities. I encourage you to print the pages off and then let the children color in the children’s clothes. As you will see, the clothes present the words to Colossians 3:14. Once all the children have been creatively decorated, cut the 6 children out and then line them up to form the verse. Maybe you could attach them to a piece of string and hang them somewhere in your house or maybe even in your window.
4. Pray with your children.
Take time to pray with your children. Help lead them in simple prayers that our great big God loves to hear. Do not underestimate what the Lord can do through the simple prayer of a child.
In closing, let’s remember that Jesus loves the world. He did not come to judge the world, but to save the world and to bring peace. May you and your children be a wonderful ambassador or God’s great and powerful love as we pray for and love each other.
If you liked this Sunday School/Homeschooling idea about how to help your kids during fearful times in our world, then sign up to receive Scripture Lady’s Free Email Kid Tips packed full with creative ideas and receive 12 FREE Bible downloadable resources to help get the kids you minister to excited about the Bible! Just go to www.MyFreeBibleGames.com to fully subscribe.
Also, don’t forget to “LIKE” me on Facebook. Just click on my Facebook logo to the right. Thank you!
