Children's Ministry

Supporting Your Children During Challenging Times

1. Prepare Yourself
Children often follow their parents’ lead in responding to a crisis. They absorb your words, energy, and reactions. Feeling anxious is natural—you’re processing your own emotions while worrying about your family. Give yourself time to notice and process your feelings so you can be fully present for your children. Remember: you are there for them, not the other way around.

2. Encourage Faith
Faith can help children find peace, meaning, and purpose during uncertain times. Let them know it’s normal to feel confused or nervous. Share encouraging stories, songs, scriptures, and prayers. Remind them that God is with us, even during difficulties.

3. Pray & Prepare Together
Praying together models putting faith and trust in God. It allows both you and your children to access hope and reminds them that they are not alone. Discuss ways your family can stay safe and reduce risk, reinforcing both faith and practical action.

4. Read the Bible Together
The Bible speaks about God’s love, especially during adversity. Explore stories together through this lens and discuss how they teach us to faithfully respond and love others in difficult times. Suggested passages include:

• Philippians 4:6-7

• 1 Corinthians 12:18, 20

• 2 Timothy 1:7

End with prayer to apply the lessons to your family’s lives.

5. Be Hopeful
Hope doesn’t mean problems disappear—it means having strength to persevere. As Christians, our ultimate hope is that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38-39). Reflect on what has helped your family find strength, meaning, and comfort in past challenges.

6. Provide Reassurance
Children may feel responsible for situations beyond their control. Reassure them that adults are managing the situation, giving them permission to be children and to focus on what they can control.

7. Discuss What They Are Hearing
Children hear more than we realize—news, school discussions, or conversations at home. Ask questions like:

• “Have you heard anything new about coronavirus?”

• “Who told you that?”

Listen carefully, validate their feelings, clarify misinformation, and answer their questions in age-appropriate ways.

Contributors:
Jamie Aten, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director, Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College.
Kent Annan, M.Div., Director of Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership at Wheaton College.