Helping Kids See God With Photography

Helping Kids See God With Photography - Parenting Like HannahDigital photography is amazing! Even though I’m not a great photographer, digital technology lets me play around with taking pictures without spending a fortune on developing photos. It’s also a wonderful tool for helping teach kids how to see God.

Children tend to be rather literal for quite a few years of their development. It can be difficult for them to understand concepts like God, who they can’t physically see. It’s an important part of their faith development though, to teach them how to see God without actually seeing Him.

Sound confusing to you? Imagine how confusing it is to a child. There are two great ways to help children see that God is alive and active in our world today. One is by pointing out to children every time you see God working in the world. God often uses people and circumstances to further the growth of His Church and individuals. It is amazing to watch Him fit the pieces together in ways that are too amazing to be mere coincidence.

Another great way for kids to begin seeing God is through photography. Many families already have some sort of digital camera device they let their children take pictures with from time to time. This time though, I want you to give your children a challenge along with the camera.

Encourage them to take photos that for them shows God at work. It could be in nature or how people interact with each other. Whatever speaks to your children and reminds them God is alive and active in their world. They can take unconnected shots or create a storyline for their photos.

If you can afford it, print off the best photos. Display them around your house (dollar store frames can be a cheap way to display multiple photos). You might want to have a rotating exhibit or invite friends and family over for your “gallery” show. Have fun with it, but remember as your kids work on the project have lots of discussions about their choices.

With older children, you may also want to encourage them to find contrasting photos that show satan is also at work in this fallen world. It is important for them to really understand evil comes from satan – not God.

Feel free to contact us and share some of their best photos. We may even share them on our Facebook page with other Parenting Like Hannah families!

Published by

Thereasa Winnett

Thereasa Winnett is the founder of Teach One Reach One and blogger at Parenting Like Hannah. She holds a BA in education from the College of William and Mary. She has served in all areas of ministry to children and teens for more than thirty years and regularly leads workshops for ministries and churches. She has conducted numerous workshops, including sessions at Points of Light’s National Conference on Volunteering and Service, the National Urban Ministry Conference, Pepperdine Bible Lectures, and Lipscomb’s Summer Celebration. Thereasa lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Greg, where she enjoys reading, knitting, traveling and cooking.

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