I teach Sunday School to a group of 3rd and 4th graders. They're my buds!
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We explained to the young class how "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble." We talked about how Jesus had harsh things to say to the proud pharisees, but was accused of keeping company with people who were lowly regarded by others, like tax collectors and prostitutes. We are all sinners, but those who wish to be healed, take a humble position before God, eager to receive His grace... which we do not deserve. That's an important piece of background today; got it?.
After the lesson, I had announcements about how the next series in our whole-Bible survey takes us on a journey from Abraham to Joseph (Genesis 12 to 50). We will make a couple of pit stops along the way. For example, one week, in keeping with a whole-church theme, we will have a special lesson about the persecuted church..
A little hand went up, but I already answered a lot of questions, and the parents were standing outside the classroom, waiting to pick up their kids. Instead of acknowledging the raised hand, we closed in prayer. But the hand stayed up..
Okay Kiddo, I have to dismiss the class right now, but I'll take that question afterward. She had an expression of sincerity and complete puzzlement on her face. "Mr. Craver, why is there a prostituted church? I know that ours isn't... but why would people go to a church that is prostituted?".
Admittedly, this question stunned me for a moment. I don't want to tell these children things that should properly be explained by their parents... when the parents feel the time is right. And as I tried to understand where this was coming from, it suddenly hit me. I said persecuted church? She said "yeah." (And gave me a look that suggested, "well duh... what did you think?!").
So I briefly described the Great Commission and told her that it would be explained more fully on the day we talk about "persecution.".
Later, I told her grandma, and we had a good laugh out of it.
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12 comments:
Oh my goodness. That's hilarious.
(Hey, when are you going to share those angled photos? I'm really looking forward to seeing your weekend experiments.)
The experiment with angles I commented on is still in the camera. It was flowers, and therefore, might be saved up for next week's "Today's Flowers" project. Maybe.
This class has been GREAT for asking questions. I really get excited to see that they are listening and thinking.
what a priceless story-lucky you
Thanks for sharing this story with us. I hope you have a great day! :-)
This is funny indeed.
From the mouths of babes--'prostituted' indeed.
:-0
You know, just when you are unsure if the kiddos are listening, a statment is made that makes one realize just how much they were listening. This week at my church the pastor was preaching from Numbers and how the Isrilites detested the Manna and lusted for the leeks, onions, garlic and MEAT. Then God gave them so much meat that it was coming from their nostrils, and God struck them with a plague and killed them. After church, me and the kiddos were eating lunch, and my daughter wanted to pray for the lunch, in her prayer she prayed that she hoped the Isrilites learned their lesson. I was thinking that it was a pretty headdy lesson for an eight year old, guess I was the one who learnd the lesson.
Shoebee (Mommantor's daughter)
The 8 yr old was one of the twins
Craver - what a great little story. Thanks for the example of sowing the seeds of gospel truths in these young lives.
we gotta explain those big 50 cent words we use sometimes. too cute.
Mommanator I sure do feel lucky with these kids. They're a great bunch. I look forward to seeing what they will become as they mature in knowledge and faith.
Thanks for the visit Preacherman. This is the day that the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it.
You know it Jules~. There's an endless resource for hilarity in that classroom.
San, the day will come when she won't be able to tell the story with a straight face. Ah, sweet innocence.
That was cute, Shoebee-doo-bee. They listen... and watch. It keeps us on our toes, doesn't it?
Every Square Inch, I'm so glad we're doing a 3-year whole-Bible survey for our curriculum. Man, I wish I could have started something like that when I was little!
True dat, Lime! (That's me, trying to be hip.) Yeah anyway,
I don't shy away from big words around them. It stretches their minds. Instead of avoiding big words, I make myself a walking thesaurus. The big word will usually be sandwiched between a whole bunch of synonyms, so that they get it.
"50-cent words" I wish! If it were so, I would be like, a dozenaire by now!
That was so funny! Kids can sure put you on the spot.
You gotta love those 3rd and 4th graders! When I teach them art, I am amazed at how grown-up they seem on the surface (and very much think they are), but how not when they open their mouths!
Pink camouflage is because GIRLS want to wear it. Why they want to is beyond me, but they do, and they love pink. It's a way for someone to make some money by providing these necessary fashion fabrics.
Your photo for Ch-Ch-Changes looked like a painting. Really beautiful.
As for ads? I think that's your call. I don't avoid blogs that have them, and before I started blogging myself, most of the blogs I read had them, so I just assumed it would be part of it. However, once I started, I realized it wasn't, and that some people were downright hostile toward ads, so I decided to not do it. My bigger problem (for me doing ads) would be that you cannot always control what's going to pop up. Maybe it's something you totally do not support. Maybe it's something you really do not like. But in the end, you have to do what you think is best for YOU!
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