Play! Listen! Talk!

We did all the right things today, we said all the right words, we enjoyed all the right activities, but I still left my class wondering, “Will it stick?” Will the words we said about reading, hearing-- and especially obeying--God’s Word stick with the kids?

As a Sunday School teacher I can build the foundation as we play, listen and talk about the Bible. Pouring water over a Lego house perched on a rock helped Jakob experience Jesus’ parable of the wise man who listens and obeys Jesus’ words. Playing a Bible verse relay game was a fun way for Brinley to “hide God’s Word in her heart.” And recognizing out loud Bailey’s unselfish actions in sharing a favorite rhythm instrument was a meaningful way of seeing God’s Word in action.

Now it’s Mom and Dad’s turn to add some building blocks to the foundation. As each child left today we gave a bookmark and let child and parent know these would be good markers to use in their Bible storybooks at home. Will it stick? I’m praying that tonight at least one parent takes the time to read and talk about a Bible story at home.

For most of the kids in my class, I’m probably not going to know five or ten years from now if God’s Word is sticking with them. But for today it’s enough to know God’s promise in Isaiah 55 that His Word will not return empty—it will accomplish His purpose. And I know God’s plans are bigger and grander than anything I can ever think of!

“I don’t want to do anything,” the 5-year-old boy said. His mom was ready to drop him off in our class, but no matter how she tried to encourage him to stay, he kept shaking his head no. “You’ll get to have a good snack.” “I don’t want to eat anything.” “You’ll get to make something fun.” “I don’t want to make anything.” “You’ll get to play with toys.” “I don’t want to play with toys.”

A five-year-old who didn’t want to play with toys? I think it was at that point that mom decided her words were not going to change her son’s mind. “Then you can sit here and not do anything.” And she was off to church.

For the first few minutes Matthew did just sit and not do anything. My attempts to talk with him were met with “No, I don’t want to do anything.” Gradually, however, his God-given desire for action won him over. Soon he was eating the snack, then listening to and talking about the Bible story, then making star rubbings and then playing. All the while hearing words about the good things God wants us to do.

On any given Sunday, for whatever reason, there are kids in our classes who “don’t want to do anything.” It took me a while, but I’ve finally learned that it’s OK. “It’s OK if you want to sit and watch. You can join us when you’re ready.” Giving each child time and space to participate in his or her own way is one of the good things God wants teachers to do.