little buddies

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?

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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.

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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.

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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?"

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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?!")

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So I briefly described the Great Commission and told her that it would be explained more fully on the day we talk about "persecution."

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Later, I told her grandma, and we had a good laugh out of it.

small voices; big choices

The 4th and 5th graders are a fun group to teach. They are young enough to respect adults, and old enough to understand when I teach.

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A mother and her daughter approached me Sunday, after church with a concern about the day's lesson. The mom asked, "Are you saying that if God does not choose a person, that a person cannot be saved?"

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Here's the backdrop: Last week's memory verse was John 15:16, where Jesus tells his disciples, "You did not choose me, but I chose you..." And I began this day's class with a review and comments about last week's lesson.

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This is good though, and I am delighted about several things:

1. The child took the question to her parents. That is as it should be, because the parents are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the training of the children. It scares me to think what kind of things people are teaching our children, and much of it does not get to the parents' ears.
2. One of the parents spoke with me about it, thereby holding their daughter's teacher accountable, plus giving me an opportunity to discuss the doctrines of grace with them.
3. The other parent spoke with an elder/pastor. That is also a good move if someone has a theological question. Unfortunately, sometimes people forget to do the follow-up, or don't get around to it.

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Anyway, the little girl was nervously wondering, "What if God did not choose me?" What a great question!! I explained that someone who is not chosen by God probably wouldn't care about such a thing. The fact that she was concerned indicates to me that the Holy Spirit may be working on her heart.

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In the brief conversation that followed, I think I answered the question to the mom's satisfaction. I know that election is not always the most popular lesson, but the Bible teaches more than Noah's Ark and David & Goliath. So must I.

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The question now is, will there be an apple in the classroom next Sunday, or an empty chair?

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Related link: Frozen-Chosen at Voice of Vision.

Now, also at Blue Collar.

Pencil Sharpener closeup by Beernotbombs. Image found on Flickr.com.