In memory of September 11, 2001
September 11, 2001
Remembering. Understanding. Hoping.
A free family presentation that introduces 9/11 to children under 13: what happened, why it happened, and how to think about it through the lens of Scripture.
So that when our children ask, we can tell them.
Our kids were born long after that Tuesday morning. They hear about it at school and online, often in pieces. This presentation gives parents a careful way to tell the whole story: honest about what happened, generous toward the helpers, fair to our neighbors, and anchored in the hope of the gospel.
It is written from a Reformed, biblical perspective in the manner of the Always Ready curriculum, so children finish ready to answer a friend who asks, “Where was God?” with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
“When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord.”
Joshua 4:6–7 (ESV)
45 slides, three questions, one evening (or two).
- Slides 1–5
Opening
Why God’s people remember, three promises to the kids, and a place for your own “Where were you?” story.
- Slides 6–23
What happened?
The morning, the four flights, the Maine connection through the Portland Jetport, news coverage from the day, the 102 minutes, and the helpers who ran toward danger.
- Slides 24–29
Why did it happen?
Who did it and what they believed, the Muslim question handled fairly, and the deepest “why”: the human heart, from Cain and Abel to the tower in Siloam (Luke 13).
- Slides 30–41
How should we think about it?
Two kinds of “martyr,” grace versus works, where God was, justice without revenge, loving enemies, fear, the early church in the plague, and our hope.
- Slides 42–45
Closing
Passing the story on (Psalm 78; 2 Timothy 2:2), discussion, and prayer.
Everything you need to present it.
Present it
Keynote presentation
For Mac and iPad, with the news clips in place and presenter notes on every slide.
PowerPoint presentation
Opens in PowerPoint, Keynote, or Google Slides, with the news clips in place and presenter notes on every slide.
Watch it
Clip gallery
Every news clip in the presentation, cut to the transcript, with its source, air time, and a note on what children will see and hear. Preview online or download each one.
Print it
Lead it
Parent & Leader Guide
How to run the evening, talking with children by age, the sourced history, and the full Always Ready apologetic.
Discussion cards
24 printable cards to cut apart, with questions for younger (5–8) and older (9–12) kids.
Clip sheet
Every news clip with its official source, start and stop times, and what children will see and hear.
Free to use and share for family, school, and church gatherings. The PDFs show a marked frame where each news clip goes; the Clip Sheet lists where to find every one.
Before you present
Watch every clip first
The clips are chosen to show what happened without close-ups: anchors reporting, smoke seen from far away, the rescue that followed. Still, preview each one before children see it, and trim anything your family isn’t ready for.
Plan for about 70–80 minutes
That includes clips and discussion. For younger children, split it over two evenings: slides 1–23, then slides 24–45.
Pitch it to your children
Ages 5–8 need the simple story, the helpers, and reassurance that they are safe. Ages 9–12 are ready for the “why” and the hard questions. The notes mark which is which.
Bring your own story
Slide 4 is a space for “Where were you?” If you were alive that day, your memory is the part your children will remember longest.