Discipleship when the World Feels Dark

Things have been quiet here this week – if for no other reason, then I haven’t known what to say.

Buffalo, California, Texas.
SBC reports of unprecedented abuse.
The war continues to unfold in Ukraine.
People seem to be increasingly polarized.

As I chatted with our junior high students, they put it so eloquently –

“The world just feels like a messed up place.”

As a leader of the next generation, the world has just felt especially – dark – these past few days.

So, what do we do?

The weight of it all – and the weight of being a voice that speaks to this generation – feels especially heavy.

How do we disciple our kids when the world is incredibly dark?

I definitely don’t have all the answers – or even any – but there are a few thoughts that I’ve been brewing this week I’d like to share with you.

Become a safe place for questions.

I have always said that providing kids with a safe space to ask questions – and process doubts – is one of the most significant things we can do for their faith.

Research has supported this premise – and it is perhaps more important now than ever.

More than anything, I want the kids in my house – and in my ministry – to know that if they have a question that is impossibly difficult, they can ask me.

If they’re wondering:

… Or any other tough question, I want them to know the home and the church are the safest places to ask them.

Kids need to know that there is no safer place to ask hard questions than to God and those who love Him – and that God is not offended, disturbed or bothered by our questions, in fact – He invites them.

We can show kids that God invites their questions by inviting them ourselves. It’s okay if you don’t have the answers – and it’s okay to tell kids that. Let them ask, listen & remind them that “God is okay with our questions.”

Teach kids about lament.

I’ve written about lament before, but lament is a much-neglected practice in our modern world. Simply put, lament is pouring out our sorrows before God and inviting Him to act.

In the past few days, I have found myself echoing the words of David – “How long, oh Lord?” We can help kids give voice to their struggles as well, by pointing them to lament in an age-appropriate way.

One of my favourite ways to do this is this:

Make a giant list together as a family of things that are causing you hurt, grief or confusion. These can be personal things (eg. “we haven’t seen our grandparents for a long time because of COVID) or global things (eg. “people are fighting and unkind to one another).” After you’ve made your list, pray out loud, listing each one, followed by “How long, oh Lord?”

Equip them as God’s people.

I am a firm believer that as God’s people, we have a role to play in dark times.

Particularly if you have older kids , they may be asking – “how can we help?”

I believe that in dark times, we can show our children how to call on Jesus, but also to be his hands and feet in the world around us.

So, give your kids the tools they need.

Give together towards Ukrainian relief, or a survivors’ fund for families who have suffered tremendous loss.

If refugees of war-torn countries are making their way into your neighborhood, find out what you can do to help.

If your kids have strong thoughts or opinions, help them write a letter to government to express it.

Let them write cards and letters to people in your local area who are facing dark and difficult situations.

Bring a meal to a suffering family.

Let’s show our kids what it means to be God’s people in action.

Point them back to Jesus.

John 1:5 says this:

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

As I sat with students last night and prayed for our world – and for situations that feel so incredibly dark to them – these words echoed in my heart and mind.

This world is incredibly dark – but Jesus still shines light.

Even when we don’t understand how He does, He still does.

I cling to this truth so desperately in these days – and I want my kids to cling to it too.

I want them to know a Jesus who is victorious over darkness and evil – but also a Jesus who weeps with the suffering.

I want them to know a Jesus who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords – but also a Jesus who embraces the little children.

I want them to know a Jesus who pierces through the darkness with His radiant light – but also a Jesus who weeps at the tomb of His friends.

So, as we disciple this generation amidst darkness – may we continue to point them back to Jesus.

Through our words, through our worship, through the truths we teach – let’s show our kids Jesus in a tangible way.