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Children Have Questions About The Attack On America
by Roger Fields
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As America tries to come to terms with the vicious and deliberate attack on our nation, adults and children have been impacted. Many of the children we minister to are asking questions and trying to understand in their minds what happened this week. I would like to pass along the following encouragement and suggestions to those who minister to children.
1. A good way to talk to kids about this would be to explain to school age children in general terms that some very bad people who live a long way from here have crashed three airplanes into some of our buildings. They need to know that people were hurt and even killed. They do NOT need to know specifics. For example, do not go into details about the people who jumped out of buildings, or who were trapped under rubble calling for help from cell phones. Please do not give them the impression that God did this to get people's attention. Jesus said that it is the thief who comes to "steal, kill and destroy." (John 10:10) Don't give children the impression that you blame God for the horrible events this week.
2. If kids want to know what will happen to the people who did this. Explain that our country will probably find them and puinish them. If not, God knows who they are and He will punish them.
3. Most preschoolers will not need any real explanation unless the adults around them are panic-ridden. In that case even some preschoolers will be emotionally impacted by the news of this attack and will therefore need some words of reassurance.
4. Children will respond to this violence the way the adults around them respond. If you project fear and uncertainty, they will likely feel the same. This is a time for faith, not fear. Assure them that God is in control. Don’t let Satan use this as an opportunity to sow fear into children. Let them take comfort in your faith in Almighty God. In 2 Chronicles 20 the entire nation of Israel faced certain destruction from forces bigger than they. The adults AND children stood before the Lord in that crisis (2 Chronicles 20:13). God delivered them in a dramatic way. The children shared in that victory because the adults obeyed God’s word through Jahaziel and acted in faith. Many children will remember how you responded to these events long after they forget your Bible lesson this week. Make sure you model faith not panic.
5. This would be a good time to pray with them and for them. Ask God to protect our nation. Ask God to give President Bush and our other leaders the wisdom they need to deal with this crisis. Ask God to bring our nation back to Him. Then pray some, or even all, of the words from Psalm 91 over the children.
My personal belief is that we have become a nation whose faith is in technology. While technology can accomplish remarkable feats, it can never fully protect us. Only God can do that. I believe we should tighten security at airports and other public facilities, however, no level of security will ever make us completely immune to violence. This world will never completely be a safe place. This is the time for our nation to redirect its faith from technology to the risen Lord. America needs a Shepherd to protect and guide. A nation turned to God will help more than any foreign intelligence or airport security system.
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