Ten Ways of Developing Your
Children's and Grandchildren's Faith
Play with them.
Communicate unconditional love
and acceptance through word and deed.
Communicate right and wrong through
word and example. Be explicit - they can't read your mind.
Stay up-to-date with knowledge
of your children's friends, moods, concerns, joys and fears.
Lead them in family devotions.
Model faithfulness - demonstrate
to your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and children of the congregation
what it means to be a church member.
Attend worship with them.
Take time while riding in the
car with them to discuss religious issues and values.
As members of the congregation,
fulfill your promises at the baptism of all the children by teaching Sunday school
and providing guidance and love wherever, whenever possible.
ray with and for your children.
Ways to Turn Down Your Fear Thermostat
“We need never shout across the
spaces to an absent God. God is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret
thoughts.” - A.E. Tozer
Tips for Adults Worried About International Conflict
Pray daily.
Turn off media. Limit amount of
daily exposure.
Share fears with others--family,
friends, pastors. Understand that anxiety is normal, but does not have to control
your life.
Pray daily.
Prepare an emergency plan. Get
in the habit of knowing your family's schedule - what they are doing and where they
are going.
Continue to make plans for the
future. Do not put your entire life on hold - plan for vacations, outings into the
city…knowing that plans may need to be changed.
Pray daily.
Maintain community - be around
others. Do not hibernate; do not hide.
Express love and gratitude on
a regular basis. Show affection to one another.
Pray daily.
Attend worship regularly.
Be proactive. Write letters to
elected officials expressing your feelings and views.
Pray daily. The peace that comes
from the Holy Spirit is healing and powerful!
Tips to Help Children Cope with Fear of War
Protect them, as much as possible,
from the constant media barrage.
Avoid having adult conversations
about the possibility of war, etc. while in the earshot of your children. Include
older youth in any such discussions.
Have a contingency plan but share
with children (even youth) only in broad, general terms (e.g. don't say, "if
there is a bombing," or "if war breaks out," but rather, "if
there is ever an emergency and you can't reach one of us…")
Start or continue a time of family
Bible readings and prayer. Give each child a chance to pray out loud.
Take time to hold, hug and tell
your children how much you love them - even if they object!
Keep using comfort words: "we
love you," "we're safe here," "you have a good, safe school."
Try not to project your own concerns
onto your children. They may not be as concerned as you are - and don't need to be.
Remember that children under 12
tend to worry in short spurts, not continuously. Be alert for those moments, but
don't expect them to be concerned at other times.
Answer only the questions asked.
For children under 15 such answers will need to be concrete and specific. If a child
asks whether they will be going to war, they do not need a talk about the nature
of warfare, what is right and wrong or the political ramifications of war, they simply
need to hear "no, you are too young."
Older youth will tend to brood
and worry internally without verbalizing it, (except among peers), and may need a
little prodding to discuss any of these topics. Younger youth and children will not
connect intellectual discussions with the internal feelings they have. For these
age groups have them express their feelings and accept whatever the feelings are
as valid and reasonable.
