One Sunday

Working with kids and teens is an exciting ministry. Last Sunday, I had the privilege doing both in my local church. Between the bus route, teen Sunday school class, and children's church program, last Sunday morning was a tiring, yet rewarding experience. Here are four of the many highlights of that morning.

How young is too young?
Remembering the “Great Commission”!
The difference between feeling saved and being saved.
The chocolate bar caper!

Too Young? Our bus route flyer advertises that children under the age of five must be accompanied by an adult to ride the bus. For the last two weeks, two little girls (ages 2 and 3) came as visitors of their cousins. I went by on Saturday to explain to their mom that they were to young to ride the bus only to find out that the family had moved out of state earlier in the week. On Sunday, some other kids brought their younger brother and sister (ages 3 & 4). [I must admit that I have a terrible time saying no to kids that want to bring others to church.] When trouble arose, I was very thankful that someone was not only available, but also willing to spend some special time with troublesome three-year-old and his mischievous older brother. I once again confronted the issue of whether I should be more strict on the age limit. After talking with the teacher of that age of kids (a lady with a wonderful passion for teaching the “little ones”), I once again had to admit that these kids need the truth just as much the rest of them. Even at two and three, they are developing their core values of right and wrong. They need someone in their lives to be a faithful example of living by and teaching God's rules. Teaching a three-year-old that God is good and that he never lies will go a long way in helping that person grow up knowing that God's truth—the Bible—can help them live a purposeful and fulfilling life. As long as God continues to send these little ones my way, I will continue to share with them His Great Truth (with the help of God's willing servants in His church)! They are never too young to begin learning about God.

Great Commission. Last week I came across a unique video on Google video. Basically, it was a commercial for the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Using death rate statistics (an average of 1.78 deaths per second = 56 million per year) and someone's computer graphic rendition of a person falling into Hell, this 1 ½ minutes video is a good reminder to tell others about Christ. I decided to use this video in my teen Sunday school class and ended up using it in children's church as well. My lesson for the teens was on the role of authorities in our lives. This video helped me remind them that our main authority—God Almighty—has task we are required to take part in also. We have a “faith which was once delivered” but must be shared many time over.

“I don't feel saved.” During the children's church invitation, a faithful seven-year-old expressed this concern along with bona fide fear of Hell. This little one knew that she had been “saved,” and I knew that her parents spent careful time explaining what salvation truly means. Thankfully, I understand that assurance of salvation often comes some time after a person is truly saved (Ephesians 6:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8). Having talked with this girl before, I simply explained that salvation occurs when someone expresses belief that Christ paid for their sin when He died on the cross. Salvation doesn't depend on how we feel, but solely on God's promise to forgive our sins by placing them on Jesus. The girl soon realized that she did not need to fear Hell (which she had just seen in the video I showed), she was protected by the promise of a loving God. After later talking with here parents, I praised God that there are still families raising their kids to know God and helping them to grow in wisdom and favor with God and man.

The chocolate bar caper! Boy One receives a large chocolate candy bar in Sunday school as an award. Boy Two takes the large chocolate candy bar during children's church and shares it with friends. After church, the bus captain—i.e. me—discovers Boy Two and friends at the back of the bus with chocolate all over their faces and no end of denying that they had done wrong. Caught? Yes. Repentant? No. Lesson Learned? Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” 1) teach Boy Two and friends that hiding sin doesn't work & 2) visit Boy One at home to deliver a new chocolate bar with an “I care about you” smile.

Even after ten years of working with young people, each day has it's challenges. However, I work for the God who specializes in the impossible. Whether it is teaching that sin has consequences or that salvation is forever, teaching the Word of God to young people is never boring and always rewarding.