Equip Grandparents/Parents to Hand Down the Faith with Mystery Bags - God Made You Unique & Oh, So Valuable

It is always important for leaders in our churches to equip, encourage and engage grandparents and parents to hand down the faith to the children they love, but even more so now with so many churches closed. Consider sharing the following Mystery Bag project with the grandparents and parents in your church.

The month of May is National Mental Health Month, so with May just around the corner and especially with so many of us staying at home and our grandchildren experiencing the feelings of isolation and being away from their friends, I want to write today about something very, very important. Suicide. I was shocked to learn suicide is the second leading cause of death in the United States for children, youth and young adults ages ten - 34. Yes, this statistic included children as young as ten. I have a grandson who is eleven.

This got my attention; and I assume it has your attention as well.

The world in which we, and our grandchildren live is filled with stress. So many things in their young lives cause trauma leaving children, teens and young adults dealing with serious issues with which they may not know how to deal or talk to others about the things weighing them down.

These are serious issues without simple answers, but there are things we are able to do to help the ones we love grow up with a strong, healthy mind and with the ability to cope. The first is to educate ourselves as to the warning signs - know what you should be looking for and keep an eye out. Do not think this is something which is not possibly going to happen in your family. It is possible; know what to watch for and then watch for those things.

Next pray for God to protect the hearts and minds of those you love. The Bible presents Satan as a "roaring lion" and says he is looking for people to "devour" in 1 Peter 5:8. Pray for them and model what it looks like to "keep a firm grip on the faith"

As difficult situations arise where you and the ones you love live - COVID-19, severe weather, violence, illnesses, bullying, school pressures, divorce, being over scheduled, moving, death, etc, pray about these things and be proactive - talk with your family. Carefully monitor what your grandchildren hear/see as far as news on the television - it is often frightening and confusing. Be careful as well about the conversations you have in their presence. Remember; "Little pitchers have big ears."

Be proactive and intentional. Plan opportunities to talk about and engage your grandchildren in activities which help them understand how very, very valuable they are to you and to God. Help them see themselves the way God sees them. Consider trying the following Mystery Bag Project with the children you love - gather the supplies and send them to your grandchildren. You will need . . . 

You will find the full post at this link.