How Can Families Pursue Peace in a Restless World?

A Message from FA Memphis

Hey there, Boundless family. If you’re wondering how families can pursue peace in a restless world, here’s the answer: we start by anchoring our hearts in Jesus—the Prince of Peace—and we help our kids process headlines through Scripture, prayer, and practical peacemaking at home.

If you’ve glanced at a screen lately, you know the world feels a little bit like a jigsaw puzzle that’s had a few pieces chewed on by the dog. From the ongoing tensions in Ukraine to the heartbreaking headlines coming out of the Middle East, the global “pursuit of peace” can feel like a marathon through a mud pit. But here at Boundless Online Church, we like to look at the news through a different lens: one that’s polished with hope and focused squarely on the Cross.

The Headlines vs. The Heart

In the secular world, 2026 is being called a “pivotal moment.” The United Nations is working overtime on resolutions, ceasefire talks, and even new digital security treaties to make the internet a safer place. There’s a lot of talk about “sustainable peace architecture,” which sounds like a very fancy way of saying we’re trying to build a world that won’t fall apart the moment someone disagrees.

But here’s the thing: while we pray for our leaders and support every effort to stop the fighting in places like Ukraine and Palestine, we know a secret. True peace isn’t just the absence of noise; it’s the presence of a Person. When the news cycles start to feel like a heavy weight, we don’t have to carry it. We get to redirect our families back to the Word of God, our primary source of truth.

Instead of secular anxiety, we’re choosing a “Peacemaker Perspective.” That means we look at the chaos and say, “God is still on the throne.” It means we teach our kids that while men sign treaties, Jesus signs hearts.

—

Parent & Child Bible Study: The Prince of Peace Over Every Nation

The Big Idea: Peace doesn’t come from a deal; it comes from a Deliverer.

Scripture Reading: John 14:27 (NIV) “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Family Discussion:

1. For the Littles (Ages 3–6): What is a sound that makes you feel happy and quiet? God’s peace is like a warm hug for your heart, even when things outside are loud.

2. For the Middles (Ages 7–9): The world thinks peace means no fighting. But Jesus says His peace is different. How can we be peaceful even if someone is being mean to us?

3. For the Big Kids (Ages 10–12): When you hear about wars in the news, does it make you feel worried? Let’s look at Matthew 5:9. What does it mean to be a “peacemaker” in your school or online?

Prayer Closer: “Lord, we lift up the families in Ukraine and the Middle East today. We ask for Your comfort to wrap around them like a blanket. Help us to trust Your Word more than the news, and keep our eyes on the Cross. Amen.”

—

A Story for the Kids: The Bridge in the Mist

Once upon a time, in a valley filled with rolling green hills and very grumpy neighbors, there lived a girl named Maya. Maya lived on the Left Hill. Her friend, Leo, lived on the Right Hill. In between them was a deep, foggy canyon called the Great Grumble.

For years, the people of the Left Hill and the Right Hill shouted at each other across the fog. “You cows are too loud!” “Your hats are too pointy!”

Maya was tired of the shouting. She remembered a story her grandfather told her about the Prince of Peace, who built bridges where people only saw holes. One morning, Maya took her favorite charcoal pencils and a bucket of watercolor paints down to the edge of the Great Grumble.

She began to draw. She didn’t draw a wall. She drew a bridge. And then, something amazing happened. As she painted a bright, golden bridge with a white dove sitting on the railing, the mist started to clear. On the other side, she saw Leo. He was holding a hammer and some wood.

“I was going to build a fence,” Leo shouted. “Why not help me build a bridge instead?” Maya asked with a smile.

It wasn’t easy. Sometimes they dropped their tools. Sometimes the wind blew their paint away. But every time they felt like giving up, Maya reminded Leo of the Prince who loves both hills equally. Eventually, the bridge was finished. The shouting stopped, not because everyone agreed about hats or cows, but because they decided that being friends was better than being right.

The Moral: Peace starts with one person willing to build a bridge.

—

Serial Book: The Light-Keepers Chapter 4: The Lantern of Truth

The group stood at the edge of the Whispering Woods. To Silas, the trees looked like giants leaning in to share a dark secret. “The news from the capital isn’t good,” Maren whispered, clutching her satchel. “They say the shadow is spreading, and no one knows how to stop it.”

Silas looked down at the lantern in his hand. It didn’t look like much: just old glass and a flickering wick. But this wasn’t a normal lantern. It was fueled by the Ancient Words.

“The capital is looking for swords to fight the shadow,” Silas said, his voice gaining strength. “But the Prince told us that swords only make more shadows. We have to carry the Light.”

As they stepped into the woods, the whispers grew louder. You’re too small. You’re not strong enough. The world is ending.

Silas stopped. He opened the lantern’s small door and recited the promise: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.”

The lantern flared with a cinematic warmth, turning the charcoal shadows into soft watercolor hues of purple and gold. The whispers died down. The path ahead wasn’t suddenly paved with gold, but it was visible. And for now, that was enough. They weren’t just travelers anymore. They were Light-Keepers.

—

Tips for Raising Peacemakers in a Digital Age

Let’s be real: our kids are growing up in a world where “outrage” is a currency. Here’s how to help them navigate the noise:

1. Filter the Feed: For younger kids, keep the news off. They don’t have the emotional maturity to process global conflict yet. For older kids, watch the news with them and discuss it through a biblical lens immediately.

2. Model Calm: If you’re doom-scrolling and sighing, they’ll pick up on that anxiety. Show them what it looks like to take your worries to God in prayer.

3. Focus on Local Peace: It’s hard to impact a ceasefire in another country, but kids can impact the “ceasefire” on the playground. Encourage them to be the ones who stand up for the lonely kid or settle arguments fairly.

4. The “Truth Test”: Teach them to ask, “Is this what God says about the world, or is this just what people are afraid of?”

—

Hands-On Faith: The Watercolor Peace Dove

This craft is simple, beautiful, and uses things you probably already have in your junk drawer.

What You’ll Need:

- White coffee filters or thick paper. - Blue and green watercolors (or markers and a spray bottle of water). - A black sharpie or charcoal pencil. - String.

Instructions:

1. The Wings: If using coffee filters, flatten them out and let the kids paint them with blues and greens. If using markers, scribble colors all over and then lightly mist with water to watch the colors bleed together like a beautiful watercolor landscape. Let dry.

2. The Body: Cut a simple bird shape out of white cardstock.

3. The Message: On the bird’s body, have your child write one word of peace or a favorite Scripture (like “God is with us”).

4. Assembly: Fold the dried coffee filter like an accordion and slide it through a small slit in the bird’s body to make the wings.

5. The Spiritual Connection: Hang the dove in a window. Tell your kids, “Whenever you see the light shining through these wings, remember that God’s peace is stronger than any darkness in the news.”

—

Final Thoughts

As we wrap up this week’s News Insight, remember that you aren’t alone in feeling the weight of the world. But we serve a God who isn’t surprised by 2026. He isn’t worried about UN resolutions because He has already resolved the greatest conflict of all through His Son.

Keep your eyes on the Cross, keep your hearts full of hope, and keep building those bridges.

Blessings,

Layne McDonald Founder, News Editor Boundless Online Church

—

Parent Resources & Supplemental Materials

Scripture Memory Card: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9. (Key Truth: God loves it when we help people get along!)

Discussion Guide: See the Bible Study section above for segmented questions for all ages.

Deep Dive: For more on our perspective, check out What Does Pentecostal Mean? or join the conversation in our World Ministries Group.

Boundless Online Church An outreach ministry of First Assembly Memphis www.boundlessonlinechurch.org www.famemphis.org

© 2026 First Assembly Memphis. All rights reserved. Do not reuse, copy or distribute without First Assembly Memphis written permission.