This morning, I was teaching the older elementary Sunday school class at church. I had prepared for the passage that we were talking about, but I felt like it was a very difficult passage to properly explain to children that young without confusing them. It was the passage in James about faith without works being "dead faith". Now, I understand this, and I understand how to separate it from salvation by grace alone...not by our works. However, as I was trying to explain it to the kids, it was becoming more and more apparent to me that the kids were not "getting" the difference. A few kept referring to "no works" = "not saved" and they weren't understanding the concept of justification vs. salvation...however, we got onto a rabbit trail about worshiping idols (still can't figure out how we got there, but I know it had something to do with the lesson). Anyway, after a few minutes, I realized that the kids really cared about the "idols" discussion, and they weren't getting the "faith-works" discussion.
The dilemma...should I re-direct and finish the lesson? or should I let them follow the rabbit trail of "idols" then quickly sum up the lesson at the end. Then the homeschool teacher kicked in and I decided to talk about what the kids cared about and were interested in. The result was a great discussion that the kids left talking about...and I'm sure they'll remember. They were asking questions and really getting into the discussion...as opposed to the same kids at the beginning of the class time...when I asked them who wanted to be there...2 kids raised their hands, and I told the rest of them (13 kids) they could go back to their parents if they didn't want to be there. (I know...I'm cruel. ) Less than 30 minutes later, 15 totally different kids.
This is why I love to teach these kids. I know that some of them just don't want to be there...but they'd much rather be with me than with their parents in the church service...which is the only other option. When I can latch onto something that interests them instead of sticking to the lesson, they go home "full and satisfied"...and hopefully wanting to come back for more. I just hope that one day they'll remember their old Sunday school teacher who loved God and His Word so much that she just couldn't help getting excited about it and be thankful that they had a great teacher...even if they didn't apply it or fully understand it at the time. I love planting seeds. One day, maybe someone will come back and thank me for taking my time to teach them. Maybe not...but I'm just happy that there are those moments when the kids really truly are seeking to know what God says in the Bible about something that THEY are interested in at that moment. Child-directed learning.
Love those kids, they really keep me on my toes.
BTW...I'd like to take a moment to thank an "old"...not really old...just "former"..Bible teacher from high school. Mr. Pyle, if you're out there, thanks for being such a phenomenal Bible teacher. I'm glad that God in His providential plan allowed you to be my Bible teacher...not just my senior year, like everyone else...but also the ONLY non-senior class you had during my Freshman year. I can't specifically recall half of what you taught, but the principles and foundation you taught have stuck with me, and that you loved God's Word and loved teaching teens...when you could have been a phenomenal pastor/teacher. Thanks for choosing to teach at my school. And even for the great classical music you played during class time. As much grief as we gave you over your classical music, I'll bet you never thought you'd hear anyone thank you for it years later, right?
Welcome to my blog...Why "gidget"? Well...my husband tried to teach me how to surf before we were married. I was lousy at it, but he called me his "gidget" and the name stuck.
Why "Treasure Trove"? I love sharing about my sweet little "treasures"...and God has blessed me beyond measure....and no, I didn't mean that to rhyme.
) Less than 30 minutes later, 15 totally different kids. 
