Looking to God: Mental Wellbeing in the Psalms
Our children hear lots of good advice about how to look after their mental and emotional wellbeing at school or through online resources – to think positively, to ask for help, to practice gratitude and to learn self-regulating strategies. While many of these are helpful tools, they can encourage us to look within ourselves – at our own strengths and abilities – or to just look to the world around us for the positives. But these things are unreliable. What do we do when they let us down?
As Christians, we have something and someone totally dependable to hold on to and to share – the comfort, support and joy of looking to God in every and any situation. We know the one to thank for all of the good things that we enjoy, we have His help that never leaves and we can pray to our powerful and loving heavenly Father who knows us and is able to help in every and any situation.
The Psalms are songs written from the heart, songs that cause us to lift our eyes and minds from what is around us and look to God. In our new series we explore four Psalms that help children and their families to connect with the God who never sleeps, surrounds us with evidence of his goodness and brings joy and safety to all who hide in Him.
For each of the four Psalms that we explore, we are offering:
• A carefully written Sunday School session for under 11s
• A beautifully animated video of the Psalm itself to use in churches
• A family moment video using the video animation and some questions to keep the conversation going at home
• A parent podcast episode, with brilliant guests, to take a deeper look into what our children are hearing elsewhere and how they can look to God for all that they need
• A family podcast episode packed with the usual music, fun facts and questions, ultimately helping families to understand and practically live out the truths these Psalms teach
Watch the launch webinar – Helping every child’s mental wellbeing (with David McKie)
In the Home
While the Sunday School sessions offer a brilliant opportunity to begin a conversation with children, we want to give you some simple tools to share with families to help them to carry on those conversations at home. We have a variety of flexible options so that you can decide what works best with the families in your care.
Psalm 121 – Held in God’s Hands
A family moment video using the Psalm 121 video animation and some questions to keep the conversation going at home.
Psalm 104:1-15 – Thankful to God
A family moment video using the Psalm 104:1-15 video animation and some questions to keep the conversation going at home.
Psalm 57 – Safe with God
A family moment video using the Psalm 57 video animation and some questions to keep the conversation going at home.
Psalm 34:1-11 – Mind Full of God
A family moment video using the Psalm 23:1-11 video animation and some questions to keep the conversation going at home.
Held in God’s Hand
Ed and Jam are back with four Psalms about looking to God when it’s all going a bit wobbly. We start with Psalm 121 and go on a journey with Maisie. We also answer crucial questions about where Midwife Toads keep their eggs, and why foxes hide their dinner. AND we’re back out on the high seas with Captain Fakebeard and the ship’s First Mate! Plus music from Awesome Cutlery: Father You Are King of Heaven.
Thankful to God
Who are you thankful for right now?! That’s the whiparound question to start us off with an attitude of gratitude. Before Ed and Jam go for a walk outside, we have fun facts about pufflings (which sounds like a cereal), Burrowing Owls that don’t burrow and a bird’s nest the size of car! Plus shout outs at the start? And don’t worry! The pirates are back looking for buried treasure. Do they find it? And Randall Goodgame reminds us that we can trust in the Lord with a song.
Safe with God
Where do hide when you want to feel safe? Jam’s got a place but getting into is quite dangerous. And what do you do when you meet a black bear in the woods? And what if your dog is in danger?! We’ve got some fun facts, a story and poem to help. But it’s not as good as Psalm 57! Ed explains that’s the real deal. The pirates are back, digging a pit which is going to go just fine, right? And check out Jesus Can by Dumbrocks: https://dumbrocks.com/music/songs/jesus-can/
Supporting our childrens mental wellbeing
This is us with the fireworks, the big scissors cutting the ribbon and even a dramatic spray of champagne. This is us kicking off a big new series on mental wellbeing. We have listened, we’ve been busy and here we are with the topic that we know you want from us. Let’s look to God together as we learn how he does mental wellbeing from the Psalms. This generation of children are waiting for us to bring God’s care to their distress and fears. We went to get you ready for that journey. Ed walks us through the tears at bed time while Amy goes off-road, showing us how to do godly mental wellbeing on her mountain bike. Let’s release the 🐬🐬🐬! Let’s learn how to help our children’s wellbeing – ahead lies gratitude, resilience and comfort in the difficulty.
Deepening our children’s confident dependence in God with David McKie
Join us for the wisdom of a world expert on mental health in children and young people! Decades and decades of experience, study and learning brought to you for your encouragement. Join Ed and Amy in hearing the simplest of steps from Dr David McKie to make the great strides in improving your child’s mental wellbeing… Sleep, food and exercise are where it starts. And then listen out for the big news, ‘Both of their ears are working for 10 minutes each day’. Don’t leave early because you need to find out how your child can ‘open the most amazing doorway they will ever have in their life.’ ‘The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life’ Psalm 121 David McKie is married to Gill and they have two adult children. They have worshipped at St Paul’s Cheam for over 25 years where David is a lay preacher. David is an NHS consultant child psychologist and has worked with children, young people and families for over 40 years. David’s passion is the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of all children.
Growing Gratitude in our Children with Anika Lillicrap
This one is all about that attitude of gratitude. We’re going way beyond forcing our cherubs to say ‘thank you’, this is a deep dive into raising our children to have thankful hearts. Scientifically proven and Biblically approved… Thankful kids are happier kids. Fact! Dr Anika is back and this one is her favourite topic. She takes us on the three step gratitude journey: See it! Savour it! Say it! Ed is doing it in an Aussie accent, Amy can do it with just a glass of water and Anika is riffing off the sound of music, while her dog wees under the stars. And our favourite line, “Every good thing comes from God with a label that says ‘I love you'”. Anika lives in Cambridge with her husband Matt, their six children and lively chocolate labrador. She works as a pastoral counsellor and tutors for Biblical Counselling UK. Having previously worked as a doctor she is now training in child and adolescent psychotherapeutic counselling. In her spare time she likes to crochet or write poetry.
Building our Children’s Resilience with Jean Hedley
Why do some children save their biggest meltdowns for home? And what’s the best way to respond when your child is struggling? Trauma counsellor Jean Hedley joins us to share practical help, gospel hope, and simple tools for navigating big emotions. Plus, discover the question that’s often better than asking, “What’s wrong with you?” A warm, honest conversation about listening well, spotting when children are struggling, and pointing them to the God who never leaves them. Jean Hedley has 20 years experience working as a counsellor, 15 of which were as a children and young people’s trauma counsellor for a national children’s charity. She lives in Newcastle with her husband and is Mam to 3 grown up boys.
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