Rising Tensions

Talking to your child about the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia

November 21, 2024

Read Time: 4 min 34 sec | Reading Level: 7th Grade

─────── November 21, 2024 ───────

Happy Thursday!
This week’s Decaf is brought to you by the CSB Grace Bible for Kids, which helps children of all reading levels, including those with dyslexia, experience and understand God’s Word.

Today’s story was taken from The Pour Over’s November 18th and 20th emails and re-written at a 7th-grade reading level.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We often think, I’m important because I accomplished this or because I make this money… But God says, you’re important, because I love you, period.”
Justin Kendrick

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WORLD NEWS

Millennial War

Ukraine and Russia have been at war for more than 1,000 days.

Tensions have been rising further between the neighbors because North Korea started sending thousands of troops to fight for Russia. In response, President Biden gave Ukraine the green light to use the long-range weapons America supplies to strike targets inside Russia. This changes a long-time U.S. policy intended to avoid making conflict more intense.

Ukraine didn’t waste time. It struck an ammunition warehouse about 65 miles into Russian territory on Tuesday using American-made weapons. The strike caused a fire but no injuries.

Russia responded immediately. President Putin officially lowered the threshold for using its nuclear weapons—powerful bombs that cause big destruction. The new policy means that Ukraine's traditional military attack on Russia opens the door for Russia to go nuclear.

Then yesterday, the White House approved supplying Ukraine with small bombs hidden in the ground that will help Ukraine defend its front lines. But they’re a controversial weapon because of the harm they can cause to civilians long after the war ends.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
As nations fight over temporarily held land, followers of Jesus look forward to our future inheritance. We’ll live with God forever in an earth made completely new.

“Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.”
Matthew 5:5 (CSB) (read full passage)

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What do I want to make sure my kids know in light of this story?
War is a reminder that the world is not as it should be.

Sin has broken us fundamentally, and the ripple effects are felt in every corner of life—including in the relationships between world powers. But Christians don’t have to pretend brokenness doesn’t exist in order to have hope.

Jesus challenged darkness directly in an epic battle with much higher stakes than the war in Eastern Europe. He died on the cross to pay for sin and rose from the dead to beat death. “‘Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57 CSB)

What gospel lesson can be taught through this story?
Sin and wars and brokenness aren’t forever.

All wars will come to an end when Jesus comes back. The Prophets love to talk about that day: “He will settle disputes among many peoples and provide arbitration for strong nations that are far away. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against nation, and they will never again train for war” (Micah 4:3 CSB).

Until the day nations stop fighting, you can be a peacemaker in your community so your neighbors see what God’s kingdom will be like. That means looking out for others ahead of yourself, bringing love and mercy where there’s division and anger.

READ | REFLECT | RESPOND

Locate Ukraine, Russia, and North Korea on a map. Discuss what your kids have heard about the conflict, then pray over the needs raised by your discussion.
Memorize John 16:33, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (CSB)
Pray for peace in Eastern Europe: “O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen.” Book of Common Prayer, page 655

With an innovative, research-based typeface, thoughtfully-spaced layout, and colored overlays that reduce visual discomfort, the Grace Bible for Kids offers an inclusive and exciting way for all kids to be in the Word. Empower a child to experience the truth of Scripture with the CSB Grace Bible for Kids.

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