Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Influences

My note for today is What I learned in Sunday school, Or how a bunch of Okies changed my life.  I have been known to come in and teach in a Sunday school class now and then, and just recently I have come to notice some interesting traits that I use when I tell stories.  The more that I looked at what I did, the more I realized how influenced I had been by the people who had taught me while I was a kid.

Every time I tell a story I make sure to tell the kids that it is from the bible.  I let them know that no matter who is teaching them that they need to make sure it is from God's word.  Even as young as 9 years old, I saw the emphasis on having God's word open in front of you.  When we talk about Jesus and His ministry I usually summ it up to the kids very simply.  That Jesus was teaching people about God's great love for us, and His plan to save us.   It goes back to that first verse I ever learned, John 3:16.  Lastly, the one lesson that I have to make sure to remember is that the best lessons are not necessarily ones that a "taught", but the ones that are "caught".

When I was a kid in Sunday school, things were much more basic.  Curriculum was much simpler and not necessarily made for the enjoyment of the kids.  Today we work had to teach them on their level using stories, games and activities.  While I am glad that we do that, because God's word should never be boring for a child, I always remember the lessons that God taught me even in the old days.

Most of all I remember the last lesson.  I know what I am trying to teach that day, but what I really want to know is what the kids "catch" during the time we are together.  You see, when I was in high school, I helped with my first vacation bible school at the church I went to as a child.  I remember the kids, the story of Paul's conversion and time spent together in class.  When the week was over, the woman who was teaching the small class of girls asked "what did you like best"?   When it was my turn, I answered honestly that the best part of the week was learning the needlepoint that she had taught us.  I could tell that she really did not like my original answer.  She gently steered me to answer something more "appropriate", like how I enjoyed the story.  I don't remember it bugging me too much, but it was a little embarassing.  Looking back though, it taught me something very important.   Sometimes that most important thing I can do in the hour I have with these children, is to just be with them.  Sharing my time, attention and the love that God has given me for them.  To validate what they felt, learned or liked that day, even if it wasn't the bible point.   You see she had it wrong.  My original answer was a good one, because it was truth.  What she did not see is that a young lady had been impressed with someone using their gifts for God, even when the gift was needlepoint.  That is a biblical teaching, it just may not have been the one that they had intended me to learn.  That is how I see these kids.  They may not get the application I am trying to teach, but  if they feel God's love during that time, I know that they are learning exactly what they need to.