As our hearts break and our minds try to comprehend the events of last week in Connecticut, we need to be ready to answer the questions our children might have about death and tragedy. While there is no perfect answer or a textbook method to follow, we can...
1. Remind our children that they are loved, they are safe and God is always with them. My mom taught me as a preschooler to memorize Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid, I will trust in you." Teaching children to memorize Scripture is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. God will bring these verses back to their minds during times of tragedy.
2. Admit that we do not have all the answers. Children deserve and need our honesty. To say "I don't know" is better than sending confusing messages about truth and reality. Let's not present confusing images of a God who takes people away becomes he needs them in heaven more than we do on earth. Let's talk about what we do know. God made us. God loves us. God's plan for us is good. Death is a reality in this life. But when we have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, death can never separate us from God and his love for us.
3. Read the article below on talking with children about grief and loss.
4. Refocus our attention on making sure the children in our church are safe. What happened in Connecticut could very easily have happened here. No city or church is immune from tragedy. Even as we are re-evaluating our own security policies and procedures, be viligent each Sunday. Keep your eyes open and your mind alert. We will not respond from a place of fear, but we will act from a position of strength. "Greater is he that is in us, than he that is in world" (I John 4:4).
Monday, December 17, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Teaching Children the Christmas Story
Check out the link below -- "How to teach children the Christmas story" from LifeWay. In this short article, the authors provide teaching strategies for babies through preteens. It's a neat way to include all ages in the story of our Savior's birth.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Christmas in Sunday School
Can you believe it? Christmas time is here! What an incredible privilege we have to share about God's amazing Gift -- Jesus -- in Sunday School! As we think about celebrating the holidays in our classes, let's remember a few things...
1. Exalt Jesus Christ and minimize Santa, elves and North Pole. While we are not going to tell children that Santa is pretend (that's for their parents to do), redirect the fantasy conversations back to Jesus and his reality here on earth. Tell the story again and again of Jesus' birth. Talk about Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, the wisemen...remind the children that the miracle of Christmas is Immanuel, God with us.
2. Reclaim Christmas symbols by associating them with Christian truth. Santa Claus is fun, but the story of the real Saint Nicolas is amazing and points to Jesus. Try reading Santa: Are you for real? by Harold Myra published by Thomas Nelson in 1997. Christmas trees and candy canes are everywhere. Consider reading The Pine Tree Parable (Liz Curtis Higgs, 2002) or The Candy Makers Gift (David and Helen Haidle, 1996). These books take the traditional symbols of Christmas and help the children understand their spiritual significance.
3. Provide opportunities to serve. Think of ways that your class can serve others this Christmas. Through a handmade card, a craft or a visit to the nursing home, teach your children how to put the needs of others before their own wants. When your students start listing off their Christmas wish lists, ask them what they are giving to others this year.
4. Model a life of worship. This season can be so busy that we neglect spending time at our Savior's feet. Take time to enjoy Immanuel's presence in your own life, then you can more freely share His gift with your children.
1. Exalt Jesus Christ and minimize Santa, elves and North Pole. While we are not going to tell children that Santa is pretend (that's for their parents to do), redirect the fantasy conversations back to Jesus and his reality here on earth. Tell the story again and again of Jesus' birth. Talk about Mary, Joseph, the angels, the shepherds, the wisemen...remind the children that the miracle of Christmas is Immanuel, God with us.
2. Reclaim Christmas symbols by associating them with Christian truth. Santa Claus is fun, but the story of the real Saint Nicolas is amazing and points to Jesus. Try reading Santa: Are you for real? by Harold Myra published by Thomas Nelson in 1997. Christmas trees and candy canes are everywhere. Consider reading The Pine Tree Parable (Liz Curtis Higgs, 2002) or The Candy Makers Gift (David and Helen Haidle, 1996). These books take the traditional symbols of Christmas and help the children understand their spiritual significance.
3. Provide opportunities to serve. Think of ways that your class can serve others this Christmas. Through a handmade card, a craft or a visit to the nursing home, teach your children how to put the needs of others before their own wants. When your students start listing off their Christmas wish lists, ask them what they are giving to others this year.
4. Model a life of worship. This season can be so busy that we neglect spending time at our Savior's feet. Take time to enjoy Immanuel's presence in your own life, then you can more freely share His gift with your children.
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