Foster Care

This week’s Brite lesson (1 Samuel 1–3) includes a moment that might feel a little confusing at first. Kids will hear how Hannah brought her son Samuel to live and serve at the temple as a way of keeping a promise she made to God. It’s a story that shows both her deep love for God and her deep love for her son.

For some kids, this may connect to their own story, especially those who are in foster care or living with someone other than their parents. That can come with a lot of questions and emotions. This week, we’re reminding kids that no matter what their story looks like, God sees them, cares about them and stays with them.

If this comes up at home, give your kids space to talk and ask questions. You can remind them that they are deeply loved and that God is with them in every part of their story.

Here’s how we discussed this topic and how you can discuss it at home: 

Discuss: What did you think about Hannah leaving Samuel to grow up in the temple?

Discuss: Are there situations where kids live with people who aren’t their parents?

Say: Sometimes kids live with other family members. Sometimes kids live in foster care, which means they live with another family because there is a reason they cannot live with their own.

Discuss: What do you think God has to say about that?

Say: God loves when families grow by including others. Psalm 68:6 says: God settles the solitary in a home. In other words, God puts those who are alone in families. Sometimes, kids end up alone because their parents are sick or going through a really tough time. God shows He cares by providing love during that really hard time. There were probably times when it was hard for Samuel to grow up in the temple instead of in his parents’ house. But God used the place where Samuel was to call him and to prepare him to be the prophet of Israel. God cares about every kid and is with every kid, no matter their situation. He can use the really hard things we go through in His plan for our lives.