The Way of Peace - Responding to Children

For children's time or Sunday school class
by Eleanor Snyder

Materials: quilt or blanket, shawl or lace tablecloth (optional)

Spread a quilt or blanket on the floor, inviting the children to sit there with you. (Use more blankets and additional adults if you have a large group).

"This week there has been a big tragedy in the United States. Many people died or were hurt badly on Tuesday when some buildings collapsed. It makes us sad when so many people are hurt. When someone tries to hurt people and destroy buildings on purpose or deliberately we become angry and afraid. We worry about being hurt. We may be afraid to go anywhere and want to stay in safe places.

"Some children take blankets with them to help them feel safe. We have a blanket here today to remind us that we are safe and we are with God. Jesus wants children and adults to feel safe. One time he told the people of Jerusalem that he wished he could gather all the people together just like a mother hen that keeps her chicks safe under her wings (Matt. 23:37). Let's imagine that we are little chicks and that Jesus/God is protecting us like a mother hen. Close your eyes and sit very still. We will do a breath prayer very quietly as we rest under God's wings. When you breathe in, think "BE" and when you breathe out, think "STILL." (You may wish to cover the children with a shawl or tablecloth for this time of silence. Have someone sing the song "Be still and know that I am God.")

"Caring God, we bring our feelings of sadness and fear to you because we know you love us and want us to be safe with you. We pray for the people who were hurt in the tragedy this week; we pray for the families of people who died. We pray that there will be no more violence, that the leaders will find better ways to respond to their anger and fear and sadness. We thank you, God of love, that you care for us like a mother hen cares for her baby chicks. Help us to remember that you are always with us, as close as our breath, and that you will keep us safe with you. Amen."

Children's story
by Erin Matteson, pastor
Faith Church of the Brethren, Batavia, Ill.
Sept. 16, 2001

What are some of the things that you keep close by, or cling to, when you are frightened or needing to feel more secure, safe, or needing to feel comforted?

(Allow time to hear sharing and make suggestions, if needed: binkys? blankets? favorite stuffed animals? mom or dad? grandma or grandpa?)

Have you heard that some sad things have happened in our country this past week? Many people are feeling sad, or even frightened or confused. People are needing to feel comforted, and more secure, and safe.

And you may have noticed that our country's flag—and the colors of red, white and blue—are popping up all around us. Have you noticed that?

Well, I think people want to feel connected to other people as they are sad. They want to feel comforted together, and more secure, so they put up the flag, or wear red, white and blue, as a way of doing that . . . as a symbol of that . . . to feel better, safer, and united with others.

As Christians, as people in the church, we try to look always to God, and to Jesus, first and above all else, for our strength, and our comfort . . . to feel more secure . . . to find hope and guidance.

And so, today, as we gather in church to remember this—to look to God and remember God and Jesus in our lives and in the world—I want to give you another symbol that you can keep close to you, in your pocket or on your kitchen table, or on your dresser.

(Give an appropriate Christian symbol to the children and have them pass out one to everyone in the congregation. I found a plastic gold-looking coin. On one side was a dove with the words "faith-hope-love-peace." On the other side was a heart with a cross in the middle and the words "My heart belongs to God.")

It's not easy. . . .
Puppet skit for children
by Twyla D. Rowe

This puppet skit was written to help children think about the challenge of following Christ's call to live in the ways of peace. It points out that peaceful living is not always the popular scene in today's world. It asks the question, "How do I know what is the faithful response to violence and hatred?"

The puppets used for the skit are a big dog named Max and a hyper chimp named Chip. The scene starts with Max alone on stage and he is yelling at some unseen dogs off stage.

MAX: (shouting at some others dogs off stage) I don't care what you say. . . . I don't want to do it. Let me alone . . . and quit making fun of me. (He sits alone and whimpers.)

CHIP: (enters scene) Hey Max. . . . Hi! You look sad. What's wrong?

MAX: Yes, I am sad. I feel terrible.

CHIP: What happened to make you feel that way?

MAX: Oh, a bunch of my buddies were chasing a cat and they wanted me to help. I'm bigger than all of them, and I guess they thought I had a better chance of catching the cat.

CHIP: What's so bad about that? Dogs are supposed to chase cats.

MAX: (Max is upset at Chip's response.) Who says? I don't like to chase cats. I . . . I . . . I think it's wrong. Can you believe that? I'm a dog, who thinks it's wrong to chase cats. What's wrong with me? But you should have seen it. They chased that poor cat up and down the street . . . through the park . . . and over the fence into the cemetery. They were barking and barking and scaring the poor thing. I wonder how they would like it if a bunch of cats chased them around like that.

CHIP: (laughing) Sounds funny to me.

MAX: Well, it's not!!!

CHIP: Okay, okay, okay, chill out. (He pauses, and thinks about what to say next.) Hey, wanna a bite of my banana?

MAX: No, I don't want a bite of your banana.

CHIP: Sorry, I was just trying to be nice.

MAX: I know. I'm sorry too. I shouldn't take things out on you, but you know, it hurts. When I wouldn't chase the cat with them, they started making fun of me. They started calling me names like . . . mousey . . . chicken . . . and kitty lover. So what if I like cats!!! And then they told me that they didn't want me hanging around them anymore. That hurts . . . and it's wrong.

CHIP: You can hang out with me. . . . (Chip starts pretending to be swinging in trees . . . he gets very excited.) We could swing from tree to tree together, and. . . .

MAX: (interrupts) I know . . . thanks Chip . . . but if I hang out with you, I can't really "hang" out in trees, you know. Dogs just can't do that.

CHIP: Oh, yeah. . . I forgot.

CHIP: Hey, listen, Max. I know you are hurting . . . and you're confused, but let me ask you: What do you feel and believe deep down in your heart, and why?

MAX: (He thinks, then says) I think . . . I believe it's wrong to chase cats. My mommy told me when I was a little puppy that Jesus said it is wrong to harm others, and we are supposed to love everyone, even our enemies. I believe that . . . so I don't want to chase cats.

CHIP: Then don't. Listen to your heart and don't be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. You know it's right. The others may not understand, but your mom does . . . and Jesus does. So does it really matter what the others think? It sounds like you're in good company now. Besides, the cats will love ya.

MAX: (thinks first) You know, Chip, for a silly little chimp you sure are smart sometimes.

CHIP: I have my moments. Hey, do you wanna go and chase a ball? I can throw it for you.

MAX: (Max gets excited and starts jumping around and panting) Yeah! That sounds great! Let's go.


By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1: 78-79