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How to Make Physical Distancing Work for Your Family

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy - Jamess 1:2 - Verse Image

Physical distancing has presented parents with challenges that most of us have never faced before. Even if you already considered your family to be your primary ministry, adjusting to working at home can blur the line between family life and work life.

Many of us at YouVersion are parents, so just like you, we’ve been looking for strategies that will work for our families. Below are just a few approaches we’ve found so far. While we realize every family has unique circumstances, we hope you’ll find something here that’s helpful.

Communicate, collaborate, and coordinate.

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy - Jamess 1:2 - Verse Image

If both parents are trying to work from home, remember that you’re on the same team together. Try to set up a schedule that suits everyone. Some of us are taking shifts, where one parent works from 8:30am to 12:00pm, while the other cares for the kids, then switching from 12:30pm to 5:00pm. Make a plan, but leave room to be flexible.

…Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults…

EPHESIANS 4:2

Include your kids.

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy - Jamess 1:2 - Verse Image

Ask your children to “help” in ways that make sense for their ages. You might help them make a “Time to Work” sign for you, then explain that when you hang it on the door, that means you need to concentrate. Help them make special artwork for your workspace—especially if you’ll be in video meetings. Your kids are more likely to respect boundaries between work time and family time if they feel invested in both.

Imprint these words of mine on your hearts and minds… Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

DEUTERONOMY 11:18-19

Set realistic expectations.

“Productivity” looks different right now than it did three months ago. And, most of the people you work with are likely dealing with issues very similar to yours. Be a living example of the things you hope to receive from others. Give grace to your coworkers, to your children, and to yourself.

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy - Jamess 1:2 - Verse Image

As much as you can, enjoy this time you have together. It may be hard to remember right now, but just a few months ago, many of us were trying to find ways to spend more time with our kids. It’s true that our current circumstances come with real challenges. But, it’s also true that we have the power to choose how we respond. We can see them as setbacks that are causing us pain, or as opportunities to draw our families closer than ever.

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3 Ways to Help Your Kids Adjust to the New “Normal”

Mother and daughter using a tablet

Parents, don’t be hard on your children. Raise them properly. Teach them and instruct them about the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

Mother and daughter laughing while using a tablet

If you’re like many parents we know, day by day, you’re trying to handle meals, figure out school, and manage your kids’ boredom—all while worrying about your job and your future. We want you to know: We’re here for you.

Regardless of your children’s ages, it’s likely they have a lot of questions about everything happening. Almost overnight, all the daily routines that they relied on for stability changed. One of the best things we can do for them right now is to establish a new “normal.”

Here are 3 things you can try at different times throughout the day to help your kids adjust:

  1. Ask your kids what they’re thinking about. Then listen.

Even if they say difficult or troubling things, try not to show alarm on your face. Your kids need a safe space to talk, and the opportunity to fully express their thoughts and feelings in their own words.

  1. Be the example you want to see in your house.

Take care of yourself spiritually during this time, so that you’ll be able to give your kids the emotional support they need. Here’s where you can find some peace and encouragement for you:

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  1. Pray with your kids, on a schedule.

Praying is just having a conversation with God, telling Him what you’re thinking and feeling, asking for things you need, and thanking Him (even for small victories). You can pray anytime, but doing it together in the morning, at mealtimes, and at bedtimes is an easy way to build some routine into each day. Here’s a simple example:

Dear Jesus, thank You for our family. Help us to love each other, take care of each other, and be kind. Please show us how we can love our neighbors and our friends. Thank You. Amen.

Bonus! Clearly define your days.

If your kids have been used to a weekly schedule—with you at work and them at school or daycare—the days may start blurring together when everyone’s home. Giving each day of the week its own theme can help you build a rhythm, a sense of structure. Here are a few examples:

  • Taco Tuesday – Don’t have taco ingredients? Make sandwiches, taco style, folded in half.

  • Wacky Wednesday – Wear socks that don’t match. Type “recipe” into Google, with a list of whatever random ingredients you have, and make that together.

  • Funny Friday – Play together. Be silly. Make jokes. Watch a funny movie or TV show. Make Friday night Family Game Night.

  • Special Sunday – Worship God together. Find a church service online. (Many churches are putting their children’s programming online right now.) Watch a video on BibleAppForKids.com together and talk about it.

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A Prayer for the Frontliners

IF YOU WANT TO BE THE GREATEST ONE, THEN LIVE AS ONE CALLED TO SERVE OTHERS.

Mark 10:43

Heavenly Father, thank You for the frontliners caring for, protecting, and serving our communities, our families, and us. Thank You for these servant leaders, called to this work, trained for such a time as this, daily risking their own health and safety for others.

Please protect them from harm. Give them courage and strength. Draw close, Lord, and let them feel Your presence throughout the long hours they are working.

Father, please provide everything they need, both for the people they are serving and for their loved ones. Surround them with people who will help and support them and their families, even as they selflessly care for others.

You said we would face troubles in this world, but also that You had overcome it. Please work together with our frontliners, Lord, to ultimately bring about the best outcome possible.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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4 Fun Activities to Try with Your Kids

Mother and son praying

Getting children excited about prayer can be challenging. Images of people praying typically show someone standing calmly with their head bowed and eyes closed. That’s hard for many people, let alone a kid who’s now stuck at home all day.

But prayer is simply talking with the God who says, “let the children come to me.” God loves to hear the honest cries of your children’s hearts.

Helping your kids talk openly with God now will also impact the way they view prayer in the years to come. So, here are 4 easy prayer activities to help your family pursue God through prayer.

Child praying

  1. Count Your Blessings

    At the end of each day, spend 5-10 minutes talking about a few things that blessed your family. After everyone’s shared, thank God for the good He’s done in your life that day.

    Modeling thankfulness for your kids now will help shape the way they remember hard seasons. (Plus, focusing on your blessings can help lower stress levels.)

  1. Pray Through the Week

    Each week, pick a theme with your kids. (It could be a country, a person, or something your children love.)

    Every day, have a child pray for that theme and allow whoever prays to choose a theme-related activity for you to do together. (Need activity ideas? You can find Bible-based coloring pages and Adventure Books here.)

  1. Go on a Nature Walk

    The next time you go outside, ask your children to point out anything that makes them smile. Take turns thanking God for creating the beauty around you. Try to enjoy the world through their eyes, together.

  1. Pray through Praise Songs

    Everything you do can be an act of worship. Pick one of your children’s favorite worship songs and sing it together. Make that song your prayer for the day.

    Or, if you or your children are musical, pick a Psalm or the Lord’s Prayer and put it to music.

[Worship Songs Made for Kids]

When prayer is a daily activity that your children look forward to, you help show them that they can talk to God anywhere, at any time, for any reason.

And, by letting go of any expectations for what their prayers should look like, you make space for your kids to creatively express themselves to God.

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Here’s how you can help spread hope.

HE WILL ACHIEVE INFINITELY MORE
than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination!

Ephesians 3:20

You’re staying inside as much as possible, practicing social distancing, and checking in on family, friends, and neighbors. We’d love to suggest an additional way you can extend your care for others.

Something historic is happening.

While we’re all facing challenges in the middle of a global pandemic, what you may not realize is that we’re also experiencing a season of great spiritual awakening. All over the world, people are searching for answers and hope. And what millions are finding is an invitation into a relationship with God.

During the past six weeks we’ve witnessed God moving in amazing ways as we saw the largest engagement increase ever, with more people searching the Bible for hope and peace, sharing Bible verses and Verse Images with others, and engaging in God’s Word with their families through the Bible App for Kids. And we’ve seen more than 1.6 million prayers added in just the last month. Our volunteer community is more involved than ever too, offering their time and talents to serve the global YouVersion Community.

“YouVersion has given me access to the Bible, increasing my relationship with God and allowing me to connect with His Word every single day. It’s such a blessing to have and I’m so thankful to be reminded of good messages in troubling times.” – Imani S

But it’s only the beginning.

We know that God wants to do so much more as He continues to draw people closer from all over the world. So many people will point back to this chapter in history as a defining moment in their relationship with God. This work matters now, and it matters in eternity.

And you can be a part of it.

We wholeheartedly believe that a daily rhythm of seeking intimacy with God has the power to transform lives. Our hope is that each person in our community is on a vital journey to become who God made them to be, abiding in Him, and drawing closer every day. We recognize that there are many needs in our communities today, and we’re continuing to pray together for our world and for people who are struggling financially.

We also recognize that many are looking to support work that is giving hope to people. We’d be honored to partner together in this mission as we help guide people from every country on Earth to seek our amazing, loving God every single day.

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