Kids bouncing into your children’s ministry usually show up smiling. But now and then—if you look closely—you’ll see something else in their eyes.
It’s deep sadness…a lack of hope.
Maybe they’re grieving the death of a grandparent. Feeling devastated by how divorce is ripping apart their family. Dreading the relentless blows of a bully waiting for them at school.
Whatever the reason, they feel trapped, overwhelmed, and unable to see past their pain. Left unaddressed, hopelessness can lead to despair, depression, isolation, and even self-harm.
“Hope is optimism about the future,” says therapist Cheryl Eresman. “It’s a feeling things are overwhelmingly bad and will stay that way. And kids aren’t immune to experiencing those feelings.”
As adults eager to point kids toward Jesus, we’re in the hope business. We have a heart-healing message for any child whose world is falling apart—but how do we go about sharing it?
As adults eager to point kids toward Jesus, we’re in the hope business.
8 Ways to Share Hope with Kids
Ask
Kids may lack the language to talk about “losing hope,” but they know about being sad and stuck in situations they can’t control. Quietly take sad or angry kids aside to ask what’s happening in their lives. You may or may not get a response, but you’ve sent a strong message: “You’re suffering, but you’re not alone. I’m here for you.”
It’s tempting to assume a sullen child is just tired from a no-sleep sleepover, but you won’t know if you don’t ask. So ask.
Provide A Safe Space
Make your ministry a place kids can express their thoughts and feelings without facing judgement. Listen carefully and help kids process what they’re experiencing.
Children’s ministry programs that include small group experiences with a trusted adult have the best opportunity to tune into what kids are dealing with in life. Why? Because small group leaders have the chance to focus on kids individually.
If you have small groups in your ministry, make the most of them. Include “How are you doing?” discussions as well as “What was the point of the lesson?” discussions during small group time. Give hope-building relationships the time and space they need to deepen. You’ll reduce the isolation hopelessness can bring and build bridges of support.
Talk About Your Hope in Christ
Just a guess: You’ve had some hard days yourself. Without sharing anything inappropriate, now and then tell stories of how knowing Jesus has helped you.
You’ll remind kids Jesus isn’t a topic to study, but a person to know, love, and follow. And that Jesus is eager to share the burdens carried by His friends—including them.
Here’s the thing about hope: It’s often more caught than taught. When kids in crisis see you have hope in Jesus, and you share why that’s true, it gives them a reason to believe they, too, can find hope again.
Remind Kids They’re Not Alone
Your assurance God is with them is good, but better is showing kids God promises to be there.
Following are passages that powerfully make the point. Consider opening a Bible and, with the child, exploring them.
• Psalm 46:1
• Matthew 28:20
• Romans 15:13
• 1 Peter 5:7
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
• 1 John 4:9
• Romans 8:31
Here’s the thing about hope: It’s often more caught than taught.
Point Kids to Jesus
You’re not the ultimate source of hope for a child—Jesus is.
So, when kids are feeling hopeless, gently point them to Christ. If they’ve already given themselves to Him, remind them He’s with them now and will be forever. If they don’t know Jesus, share how He loves and wants to be with them.
When we lack hope we often can’t imagine life is worth living. But life with Jesus stretches out past any pain, any fear, even past hope itself. It’s a rock-solid guarantee of purpose and eternal life.
Sharing that truth with kids opens a door to hope that will stay with them forever.
Pray With and For the Child
Living without hope is lonely—for adults and kids. Your praying with a child can be a huge comfort as you ask God to be with the child in her situation.
One Ohio Sunday school teacher recalls a time she took a young boy aside to ask why he seemed sad. “He didn’t want to talk about it,” she says, “but he was fine with me praying for him. We held hands as I prayed and, when I finished, he gave me a huge hug. I still don’t know what his issue was, but there was a peace shining through his smile.”
Know Your Limitations
There’s no shortage of reasons a child may lack hope about the future. Perhaps they’re experiencing loss or trauma. Maybe mental health issues are in play. And a steady diet of social media highlighting war, famine, and mass shootings can convince any child the world is a dangerous place where the future is to be feared.
You love kids but, unless you’re a qualified therapist, you’re not a qualified therapist. If you’re concerned about a child’s well-being, risk sharing your observations with that child’s parent.
Voicing your concerns might come as a surprise to the parent, but if you’re sincerely worried, it’s the right thing to do.
Give Kids Perspective
“It’s sometimes helpful to ask a child to remember a time they thought something was bad but it got better,” says Eresman. That simple conversation helps a child see what they’re facing now can also get better, or at least not last forever.
“Our friend Mr. Rogers got it right when he urged kids to look for helpers in their lives,” says Eresman. “There are always people willing to help if they’re asked.”
Here’s some good news: You’re one of those people.
When you accepted your call to minister to children you committed to more than just delivering lessons. You signed on to loving, supporting, and encouraging kids God brings to you…even those who lack hope.
Tell God you’re ready and willing to speak hope into the lives of kids you serve. He’ll show you who needs you.
Wonder Ink’s 3-year, 52-week children’s ministry curriculum offers kids space to fully find their place in God’s Big Story. Children discover they are Known by God, Loved by Jesus, and Led by the Holy Spirit.
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