WHAT ARE WE REALLY TEACHING KIDS? Heres an interview with Veggie Tales creator Phil Vischer who reflects on 10 years of packaging a “Christian message” that wasnt the Gospel at all. Kind of tough stuff to hear, really. I still love the French Peas! I looked back at the previous 10 years and realized I had spent 10 years trying to convince kids to behave Christianly without actually teaching them Christianity. And that was a pretty serious conviction. You can say, Hey kids, be more forgiving because the Bible says so, or Hey kids, be more kind because the Bible says so! But that isnt Christianity, its morality. . . And that was such a huge shift for me from the American Christian ideal. Were drinking a cocktail thats a mix of the Protestant work ethic, the American dream, and the gospel. And weve intertwined them so completely that we cant tell them apart anymore. Our gospel has become a gospel of following your dreams and being good so God will make all your dreams come true. Its the Oprah god.” Wes summary: Are we teaching rules and ideas or relationship and intimacy? Jesus wants our hearts, not our good behavior. Jesus knows that if he can capture the love and trust of a child, good behavior and right living will follow. (Luke 6:45; Matt 23:26) Heres Wes suggestions: More than your awesome preparation and teaching, your personal response to the teaching (your example and reaction) is what they will remember and take home.There is nothing wrong with Veggie tales or other Bible stories that teach morality or good doctrine but teachers and parents need to remember that these stories and teachings only come alive when they move you to respond to the Holy Spirit in your life. Your willingness to invite God to work in your life as you share your lesson will bring IMPACT to your class time. Transparency is key. Here are four ways to invite the Spirits activity into your teaching: 1. Personalize the teaching. While teaching Bible stories or even doctrine, always personalize. Ask, How would you feel if you were in the story? What would you do? What does this doctrine mean to you today? How can this doctrine/teaching help you when you are scared, angry, hurt, worried about the future? 2. Pray out load. Let every teaching be punctuated with your personal prayers in response to the lesson. Hey kids, we gotta stop right here because I am so thankful to God that he came to earth to help us. He didnt have to do it! So, Im gonna pray a prayer that thanks God... Wow, that story makes me feel sad about the times I have let God down, we gotta pause for a second and ask Him to forgive me. May be you feel sad too? Let me see your hands. Okay how about if you pray too? Let me lead us. Just follow my words. 3. Huddle up. At the end or the beginning of your class, take time to ask your children how they are feeling. How was your week? What were the highs and lows? Is your cup full or empty today? Tell us more. Children that bare their hearts need you to respond with empathy, understanding and compassion (NOT ADVICE) and much prayer. Touch their shoulders. Hold their hands. Ask other children, Have you had something like this happen to you? Have other children around them lay on hands (gently). 4. YOU are the curriculum. Yes, prepare and pull off an awesome lesson plan, just remember, the growing affection your kids have for YOU is the lesson aim. More than glittering glue sticks, children are looking for love. When you love them with respect, humor, affirmation, and good boundaries, they hear, see and feel Jesus. What does that mean as far as our TRUE lesson preparation: build trust by faithfully showing up with grateful, peaceful and joyful heart.
Posted on: Sat, 24 May 2014 17:43:29 +0000