Helping the Hurting Child
If children’s ministry could all be craft time, Kool-Aid, and cookies, then any one could handle the job. The reality of children’s ministry, however, is that children, just like adults, often face painful circumstances in which they are searching for answers and comfort. The child’s teacher or leader is often in a position to provide help. If you are unprepared or unwilling to support children during painful times, then their experience with your kid’s ministry can have a long term negative impact on how they view church and ultimately how they view God.
That may sound like quite the high pressure job description. But the Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:13 “I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.” That verse does not leave much room for quitting or excuse making. So practically speaking, what can kidmin workers do to help children when they are hurting?
Listen
The most important thing a hurting child typically needs is a listening ear. Do not get so wrapped up in your schedules and lesson plans that you can’t make time for a child that legitimately needs to share something with you. This can seem difficult in the midst of the flurry of activity that usually accompanies children’s ministry. Some easy solutions would be to include a sharing time as part of your class schedule so that children can share prayer requests or other things that might be on their hearts. Another idea is to plan certain aspects of your class time to be quiet, reflective times in which you can take a moment to speak with each child. This can easily be accomplished during craft time. While children are doing hands-on work, take a moment to walk around the room, quietly asking each child how their week has been.
Pay Attention
Often if a kid’s ministry worker will pay attention, you actually already know a child is having a problem. If there has been a death in the family, a divorce, or other life-changing event, show the child a little extra compassion even if they have not brought up their problems to you.
Don’t Push
The other extreme of not paying attention or listening at all would be to try and force a child to share problems they do not want to talk about. If you know you have a child in your ministry that is hurting but they will not open up to you, then do not pry. Continue loving and praying for them and let God do the work only He can do anyway.
Be Respectful
For the sake of a child’s self-worth and for the sake of their future relationship with God and the church, it is vital that they feel they can trust their children’s ministry workers with their feelings and information. Kids’ problems should not be gossiped about any more than adults’ problems. Be careful who you speak with about the problem.
Wrap Them in Prayer
Remember that in the end God alone is the one who can help that hurting child in your class and the best thing you can ever do for them is to intercede for them in prayer.
You can see all of the articles Sarah has written on the site.
