About This Devotional
We know you care about raising compassionate, Christ-like children who understand the needs of our world. But talking with your kids about heavy and confusing topics like refugees and resettlement can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How much do you share? Does the Bible say anything about refugees?
Since the 1970s, World Relief has been connecting refugees to welcoming communities across the U.S., fostering a spirit of mutual transformation and celebration — mourning the unimaginable disruptions of displacement and rejoicing together in new beginnings and new friendships. This 5-day devotional will guide you through how to teach your children about refugees and how to pray for them.
100 Million+
People driven from their homes worldwide
32.5 Million
Refugees who have sought safety outside their home country
6,500+
Volunteers who helped welcome refugees through World Relief last year
860
Churches partnering with World Relief in the U.S.
Our communities are changing, and refugees can easily be our neighbors, coworkers, and church members. It is important that we understand what God has to say about being the church beyond Sunday mornings — and equip the next generation to engage with and intercede for the world’s most vulnerable.
How to Use This Guide
| READ | An explanation to be read aloud together as a family. |
| THE BIBLE SAYS | A Bible verse to bring into the discussion and reflection. |
| REFLECT | Questions to guide further conversation together. |
| PRAY | Conclude with the suggested prayer or invite your kids to pray in their own words. |
Quick Tips for Parents
- Keep things simple
- Follow your child’s lead
- Don’t share more information than what is provided in each day’s lesson
- Keep it as an ongoing and open discussion
- If you don’t know the answer to a question, admit it — look into it and follow up
Day 1 — Who Are Refugees?
Refugees are people just like you and me. The difference is that they had to run away from their homes and go into another country because they were being hurt — or they were afraid of being hurt — for one or more of five big reasons.
- Because of what they looked like
- Because of what country they came from
- Because of their beliefs about God
- Because of what they thought or said about their government — the people in charge
- Because of their family or other things about themselves they could not change
It was safer for them to leave their home instead of stay. God loves you. He made you. He knows what your future holds, and he is with you.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
Psalm 139:13–14
Day 2 — Why Are Refugees Moving Here?
Read Together
When refugees run away from their homes into another country, they want to be safe with their families. Many hope that soon they can return home — but sometimes it is not safe to go back. Countries like ours, the United States, tell some refugees that they can move here to be safe.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
Reflect Together
- Where do you go when you are feeling scared or sad?
- Where do you feel safe?
- God gives us safe places and people to turn to when we need help.
Day 3 — Why Should We Help Refugees?
Read Together
God loves and cares about all the people in the world — including refugees — and he calls us to love and care for them too. When God gave his laws to his people, he told them to treat foreigners the same as their own citizens, to love them as themselves. He wanted his people to remember that they had once been strangers in Egypt, badly treated — but that God took care of them and brought them to safety. God wants his people to remember how that felt, so they can show his love and kindness to others in the same situation.
“Do not do bad things to foreigners living in your country. You must treat them the same as you treat your own citizens. Love them as you love yourselves. Remember, you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 19:33–34
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
John 15:12
Day 4 — How Do We Help Refugees Settle In?
Read Together
When refugee families arrive in their new country, they need a place to live. Parents need to find jobs and learn English. Children need to go to school. The whole family needs to learn how things work in a new place. World Relief helps families find housing, find jobs, and start school.
Sometimes, friends from churches and neighborhoods like ours tell World Relief they want to be good neighbors for refugee families nearby. World Relief introduces them so they can become friends. These new friends help refugee families go to the supermarket, practice English, and get used to living in a new place — so that they can feel safe and happy.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Matthew 25:35
Reflect Together
- Do you remember trying something new or being in a whole new place? How did it feel?
- Being somewhere new can feel scary at first — but a friendly, kind face can instantly make you feel better.
Day 5 — How Do We Welcome Refugees?
Read Together
It is important to remember that refugee adults and kids have just gone through a really hard time — leaving their homes and other family members behind. They may be feeling a lot of different things. When we want to welcome refugees, we need to think about how to help them feel most comfortable.
Many refugees miss the good foods they used to eat in their home country. We can welcome them by cooking a good meal and sharing some of our favorites with them. We can invite them to our home, give them a tour of the neighborhood, or simply be a good friend. Getting to know refugees and being kind is the best way to make them feel welcome.
“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:1–2
Resources for Parents
Further Learning
- Intro to Resettlement Course — World Relief
- I Was a Stranger — YouVersion Reading Plan
- Christ-Like Welcome — YouVersion Reading Plan
- Welcoming the Stranger Guide — World Relief
- Was Jesus a Refugee? — World Relief Blog
- Drivers of Mass Displacement — World Relief
- Life Across Borders Podcast — World Relief
Children's Books on Refugees & Immigration
- Together We Grow — Susan Vaught
- Lubna and Pebble — Wendy Meddour
- Marisol’s Dress — EMYO
- Carmela Full of Wishes — Matt de la Peña
- Where Are You From? — Yamile Saied Méndez
- A Different Pond — Bao Phi
Published by إغاثة العالم.