Hope Kids

Understand that from time to time, we will put pictures on Hope Church’s social media accounts (facebook, instagram), the website, and that staff may take pictures on their personal phones for such purposes however they will not save these photos.

After service, do you want to continue the discussion with your kids but don't know how to start?

• What was your favorite part of church today?
• What was the best song we sang?
• Did anything pastor said stand out to you?
• I learned ______________ today. It's wonderful how God is always teaching us new things.
• Do you have any questions?
• I have this question ______________. Let's find out the answer together.

WHY DO WE DO WHAT WE DO IN CHURCH?

Do you kids ask questions such as "Why do we sing? Why do we pray? Why do some people lift their hands when they sing?"  Good questions! Parents, we've got your backs. Click here

Do your children love to pray?Like, are they excited about prayer? Prayer is an incredible privilege because it’s communication with the living God! Yet many kids have the prayer doldrums and struggle to pray in a way that’s heartfelt and meaningful. And here's the really bad news… Many times, it is we, the adults, who are keeping children from developing vibrant prayer lives. Ouch!

If you want to help children embrace the amazing gift of prayer and renew their excitement about communication with God...

STOP TRYING TO FORCE THEM INTO A COOKIE-CUTTER PRAYER MOLD.

You see, there are many different styles of prayer. And there are different styles of kids.
It's very likely that each child will relate to God according to their unique design and bent.
 An introverted, idea-oriented child, for example, may feel more comfortable expressing thoughts to God in a journal rather than praying aloud in a group. 

• A highly kinesthetic child who is full of energy may respond well to prayer-walking, music and dance prayers, or "popcorn prayers". 

• A tactile learner may like to express prayers through doodling, scribbling, painting, or play-dough or foil sculpting. 

• A visually oriented child may enjoy praying with Skittles or M&M’s where each color represents a different prayer concern.

If we try to squeeze children into the prayer model that doesn't align with their design, they may become discouraged and eventually lose any desire to talk to God.

An excerpt from We Are KidMin at One Reason Kids Won't Pray and What You Can Do About It.

Remember, our goal is not to raise copycats. What’s the use of getting kids to say words copying someone else's prayer style? Trying to imitate another person’s style of praying may very well end up being a “Saul’s armor!”

In 1 Samuel 17, we read about young David preparing to face the Philistine giant, Goliath. Remember how King Saul urged the young shepherd boy to don the royal armor when he challenged Goliath? Imagine how awkward, uncomfortable, and even silly David felt as he tried to maneuver in the clumsy stuff. Young as he was, David had the wisdom and the boldness to throw it off, saying, “I cannot go in these… I am not used to them” v. 39.

Although this passage is not specifically about prayer, it is a good analogy for what we do to our children when we fail to train and equip them according to their spiritual design. Let us remember that our goal is to introduce children to many different styles of connecting with God, and encourage them to discover a personal way to commune with God.

WRITTEN BY
Kristen Lisemby Rosener from Christianparenting.org

Half of all children in the United States will witness the ending of a parent’s marriage. Of this half, close to 50% will also see the breakup of a parent’s second marriage.

Studies show that the effects of a broken home on children are serious, ranging from depression and lower grades in school to indulging in self-harm and substance abuse. If you’re like me, that makes you tremble.

My three little ones are living a life I did not ever anticipate them living. Coming from a home with parents who have been married almost 40 years to date, I’ve been completely clueless as to how to help children understand what they shouldn’t have to understand when I don’t understand it myself.

If you are in a similar boat and struggle in helping your children and reaching their hearts when the home has been splintered, below are five practical tips that are helping me and my kiddos as we walk this journey.

Five ways to walk in this journey:
1. Prioritize safety
Expect long days and nights of nightmares and random outbursts of anger and crying. Expect clingy, expect lots of insecurity and everything else in between.

In light of this, make your home a safe haven. Make it a priority to build a nontoxic environment that is open and peaceful. Build a relationship with your children that assures them they are heard, validated, and loved unconditionally and individually.

Let them share their deepest fears, and let them reminisce and process the grief. Make sure they see you are with them and that every single thing that hurts them matters to you. Establish a routine and prioritize the safety of their hearts.

2. Be transparent
   Children can sniff out deception. Be real and vulnerable with your children. Don’t overload them with information they have no business knowing about, and don’t weigh them down with your fears and burdens—but do cry with them. Do laugh with them. Do show them that it is painful for you also and that God weeps, too.

You can show your children the truth in a healthy, age appropriate way without sharing adult issues with little ones. Showing them that you are needy for God’s help and you are hurting with them goes a long way in not only pointing them to Christ as our source, but bonding with you as well.

3. Let them be creative
   In therapy, I watched the counselor use everyday things in a way that soothed and helped my kids. Take balloons and blow all your frustrations and feelings into the balloon. Take crayons and paper and make a feelings book. Put glitter in a bottle and shake it and give your child the amount of time to vent while the glitter settles.

I made a “feelings house” for my son—took a cutout of a boy and we would put the paper-boy in whatever “room” he currently felt he was in (sad, scared, angry, happy, etc.). Spend time showing your children you care about their healing by not only helping them in creative ways, but making it fun, too.

4. Get outside
   Nature therapy is a thing we pursue regularly. Take your kids outside and teach them how to ground themselves in God’s creation. Point out the birds and squirrels. Have them stop and close their eyes and feel the wind and listen to the leaves blowing across the ground.

Have them climb rocks and trees and feel the grass. Go outside and let them run the pain out and climb the heartache out. When a home breaks, children often feel trapped in an invisible prison. Getting outside and allowing them to feel wild and free does wonders for the body, the mind, and the soul.

5. Have special things
   We have special books, special songs, special routines and special blankets/toys. Find the song that best soothes their little hearts. Find a book you can read over and over. Keep their special blanket or stuffed animal or toy close by and maintain a solid routine so they can feel secure. When a family has been splintered, they need as many things as possible to feel comforted. So watch them closely and pick out special things that make them smile and soothes their anxiety.

Our Ultimate Healer
Keep in mind that useful tools are a blessing, but ultimately the healer is where healing is found. The comforter is where we find comfort. The one who never changes is where we find our security and solace. Do all you can (pray, love, study, work) and then leave the rest in the sufficient hands of our God. You and your children are safe under his wing. 

Gospel Adventures Show is a podcast  full of Gospel truths that are communicated in ways that are appropriate and understandable for children.  You can Iisten to all of the Gospel Adventures Show Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gospel-adventures/id1683583751