Finding God in the Midst of Crisis
D uring this time of a global pandemic, it can be easy for adults and children to be anxious and fearful about what might happen. It can also be difficult to know how to talk to your children about what is happening and know how to calm their fears. Children might not understand why they can no longer go to school, to BSF or to Grandma’s house. They will definitely need reassurance that life is not out of control because God is always in control.
These are unprecedented times. We will not always fully know how to handle everything that happens. We will make mistakes. We may temporarily give in to fear. But through it all, we must remember we have a gracious, loving heavenly Father who knows everything and who controls everything. Our God is unstoppable!
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Discuss
Pray
Take the following steps to guide your children through this time.
Click on the text below for scripture references and helpful tips.
Listen to your children's fears.
Then validate those feelings but assure them that believers in Christ do not need to be afraid, because God is sovereign. Explain that Christians do not need to fear death. For the believer, death is not the end. “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54). Jesus came to save us from our sins. When we trust in Him, we know we will have eternal life with Him in heaven when we leave this earth.
Know what is true.
Many details are being disseminated in the news media and social media. Some are true. Some are not. Rely on experts and established organizations such as your federal health department and the World Health Organization (WHO). Communicate these facts to your children in a way that is appropriate for their age and emotional capacity. Explain that these are the reasons life has changed in such drastic ways.
Limit your news consumption.
While much of what official news outlets report is true, it is often sensationalized. This can increase your children’s fear and anxiety, as well as your own. If your city, state or nation hosts an official news conference, tune in, but limit little ones’ exposure to the details.
Follow the guidelines.
Romans 13:1 says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” If your federal government says to stay inside, stay inside. If your city says to not gather in groups of more than 10 people, follow the rule. Wash your hands. Enact social distancing.
Love your neighbor.
Whether you need to stay home or not, there are ways to love the people around you. Check on elderly people who might need food or medicine delivered. Call someone who is stuck at home alone. Video chat with grandparents to keep them connected. Don’t “panic buy” things that other people might need more than you. Take groceries to someone who has lost their job. And do not take risks that might expose you to the virus that you might then pass on to someone more vulnerable than you. Involve your children in these activities in safe ways.
Pray with your child.
Use some of these options or come up with your own creative prayer ideas:
Popcorn Prayers
Pray one-sentence prayers.
A-B-C Prayers
Take turns praying for something or someone that starts with A, then B, etc.
Bag of Prayers
Write names of family members or friends on slips of paper and put them in a bag. Pull one out before each meal and pray for them.
Picture Prayers
Draw or paint a prayer.
Remind your children of God’s Attributes.
Click on the text below to read more about each attribute.
Sovereign
God controls all things. There is nothing outside of God’s wise control, even the exact time and place for each person to live.
Omnipotent
God has unlimited power, authority and influence. Nothing can stop God. Evil and death will not win. God has promised a day He will raise all His children to life that does not end, and God has the power to keep that promise.
Omniscient
God knows all there is to know. God knows the past and the future. He knows the number of our days and all the plans He has for us. Only God knows all things.
Immutable
God does not change. We can count on Him always to be good, always to be faithful, always to love us. Because God never changes, we can trust Him always.
Merciful
God in His mercy does not give us what our sins deserve. He limits the extent of pain. God seeks those who are lost, alone, hurting and in need.
Good
God’s children experience His goodness even when bad things happen. God promises to make all things work together for our good.
Thank you for these resources! My grandchildren will truly be enlighten during this time. I will also share with the parents of my Sunday School class. What a BLESSING from God.
O, what a gift to us parents & grandparents!
Thanks for/to you writers!
Much Love!
Thank you so much for the “Home Training Lesson”, I read it and I decided to spread it among my family, friends, etc. They all have young children and haven’t yet experience the blessings of being a Christian. It is my humble desire to bring God’s message to my loves ones in any way, shape or form. I praise God for the given theological message given to us through BSF.
Thank You!
I love this. Can’t wait to share with my 5and 6 yr. old granddaughters.
God is on the throne and in full control!!! Keep our gaze upon Him and know where each one of us will be at the end of this race!!!
To God be the glory!!!
Thank you for these encouraging truths. My 5 yr old grandson lives with me and he is well aware of the changes in his little life with regard to the “Komona” virus.
Be safe and continued blessings to everyone at BSF❤️
Love this!!! Can’t wait to share with my grandkids.
What a wonderful way to get closer to the lover of our souls. Thanks for these helpful tips.
Love the reminder of God’s attributes. Not just an assurance to my girl but me too.
Susie,
Thank you so much for your encouraging words. You are in my prayers.
Blessings,
Joan
What great reassurance for children and adults!
Thank you for these encouraging words & scriptures that I can share w/my children & grandchildren.
May we lean fully upon our God to see us thru this difficult time. He alone is our hope & strength.
God bless you all & keep you well both physically & spiritually.
In Christ,
Fran
Thank you for this resource. I am using it as information for those in my church and not yet in BSF. I am also sending it to those who are nonbelievers. Praying each one loves their children to turn toward our loving God.
Awesome
Excellent
Even for adults who are babes in Christ.
Thank you, Father God, for Your Amazing Love & this wonderful ministry that points us all back to You. All Praises & Glory to You who sent Your dear Son to die in our place & cleansed & filled us with Your righteousness. We need Your help to keep our eyes on You and away from fear. Thank You that Your Perfect Love casts out all fear. Please continue to strengthen, protect, & bless all the administrators, leaders & members of this wonderful ministry. Please wrap your arms around all of us & our family & friends. Please fill us with Your Love & protect us from illness. Please give extra strength for those with young children & protect those young hearts. Help us all to be in constant prayer & be shining lights to help & draw others to You, especially those that don’t know you. Please strengthen, remind & help us to keep our eyes focused on You moment by moment. Please help us to remember to quickly forgive others & ourselves & draw back to You quickly if we fall into stress or fear. I ask this in Your Precious Son Jesus’ Name. Amen
Thank you for helping us to keep our family grounded in the steadfast love of God in the midst of this worldwide crisis. I love the creative ideas for prayers. God’s blessings of continued good health and protection to all of you at Headquarters and around the world.
Do y’all have lessons for teens?
I’m so grateful to the Lord for sisters all over the world who encourage and remind me that our Great God is unstoppable!! When everything around us seems chaotic, He has given us hope I pray we all take this time to be still and remember that He is God!! May we glorify Him by our witness! Thank you BSF for keeping us focused on what is true ❤️
loved this page for current time, & all times for myself as a time with the Lord today.
Fun & helpful ideas for online teaching in school program on what is prayer and attributes of God,
which could be used also on other weeks topics too.
Thanks You
Thank you for such an encouraging and uplifting message during this difficult time. And, your beautiful smile was really a blessing as I listened to you speak. I’m so grateful for my BSF friends, leaders, and administrators. And, mostly thankful for the Word and its message. BSF helps me understand that message more deeply every day I study. I learn something new with each lesson (even though I’ve been a Christian since I was 12 and have been in BSF many years.) Many thanks for all of the time and hard work that goes into our studies. So glad BSF is in my life!
Thank you!
As a CS, I actually feel like I need this more then my boys!
Thank you so much! My senior daughter’s world has been turned upside down with being isolated and prom and graduation probably canceled. These are truths we can cling to as we trust God’s timing in all things.
Thank you ?? Although my granddaughter is still a baby it’s never to soon to start learning about God’s Word.
Thank you for sharing such valuable insights to rely on God and not ourselves. I loved all the creative ways to teach children about prayer as well as how to pray. This is a timeless resource I needed as well as all of us during such a time as this.
Corrie Ten Boom once said, “We do not need to fear the unknown, because we have a known God.”
This is beautiful and truly needed in this time of uncertainty. Thank you.
Excellent advise
Thank you for providing these resources!!!
This is excellent! Thank you hor sharing. I wish I had children at home to practice with.
What a wonderful resource!
The Lord is my hope & anchor in the storm. Blessed be His name!
Thank you.
Thank you for this resource,
Truly God’s spirit is Unstoppable ??❤️
This is so helpful. I am caring for my 10 year old grandson while his mom is working. After reading the above, I asked him if he was concerned about this virus. His response was, “Yes, I am scared of this virus because I don’t want to get it, I don’t want to die, or get sick”. We went through the steps outlined above. He was encouraged. Thanks. I never thought to seek his thoughts and feelings about the virus or the changes he is having to adjust to. I give praise to the Holy Spirit of God for working through our leaders in giving them guidance that helps all of us.
Thank you ? so much!!
What a mighty God we serve!! Nothing is too hard for HIM!!
Christ
Over
Viruses And
Infectious
Diseases
Let us seek his face. Trust Him during this time and rejoice because he is God!
Wow! My children are preteen and teen, but these resources help at any age…even for me. We can always be reminded of Biblical truths and who God is: unchanging and unstoppable!!!
Thank You
Great resource, provides so much comfort.
God is Unstoppable!!!
Praise God for these! Praying for our leaders at Headquarters and your tireless example to follow Jesus and feed the flocks in all circumstances!
Thank you so much for this support in these uncertain times❤️
What a wonderful way to continue connecting with our children! Love BSF!!
Quite timely! Made it easy for me to reassure my Children as they relayed their concerns and fears and questions regarding the current situation. I shared with them God’s attributes as explained and I saw a relief in their faces. Quite helpful indeed!