Not only is it difficult to comprehend the devastation, grief, and sadness that accompanies the news from Haiti, it is challenging to help our children process the news. Here are some ideas and scriptures for a family devotional.
Watch the video(s) on Disciples Today regarding the earthquake in Haiti and the current situation with our spiritual family members there.
Have a family prayer for the brothers and sisters there as well as the nation.
Look at scriptures with God's perspective regarding our involvement and interest in what is going on with our spiritual family in Haiti.
Possible choices for scriptures:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
We know there are widows and orphans in the church in Haiti. What can we do to "look after them in their distress"?
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-11)
What good can we do for the family of believers in Haiti?
He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. (Proverbs 19:17)
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.
…[Jesus], what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick and in prison and come to you? Then [Jesus] will say, "I’m telling the solemn truth: whenever you did this to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me". (Matthew 25:31-46, excerpts)
Discuss as a family what each individual would like to do to help our sister church in Haiti. Talk about the special offering on Sunday -- are there any sacrifices you as a family or as individuals would like to do in order to give?
For example: No meat week, no entertainment that includes a cost, donate weekly allowance, money in piggy banks...
Close with prayer and thankfulness. Encourage each other about good choices!