Monday, October 10, 2011

I said what?

So I was teaching a lesson to the 5th and 6th graders I work with at my church.  This group is a group of preteen leaders.  They are the most amazing kids you'll ever meet and I feel very fortunate to get to be a part of this team.  


Yesterday, I was teaching them a lesson about Baptism and the importance of having their quiet times.  I had everything prepared, and I started in my lesson, when all the sudden I had a thought.  Now, I said I had a thought, it really wasn't me, it was really God.  I was talking about how The Word is a lamp to your feet and how it also shapes you.  Needless to say, they weren't getting it.  Crickets......... 


Quickly, I thought, and thought and thought (it seemed like an eternity, which was about 10 seconds in the real world).  Ah ha... "So let's say you have the thought that your parents are crazy."  They perked up, I mean at that age, you do think your parents are crazy.  It is a real emotion you have, but one you never thought anyone else had.  I loved watching them feel like it was okay to think that. Then I said, "But then you read in The Bible, Honor you father and mother is the only commandment with a promise.  Do you know what that promise is?"  Collectively, they all said no... very enthusiastically.  I went to the 10 commandments, and read it: "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you."


They were less than stunned.  They didn't get it.  I said, "So, if you want to live a long life, honor your parents."  Then, in that very moment, the lights came on.  I felt compelled to say, "The Word just shaped your belief."


Then, as only the innocence of a child can bring, one of the boys from the group asked a question: "Mr. Broc, what if your parents tell you to clean your room, and you do it, but you still think their crazy?"  ( l loved this, because it proves my theory, kids want to know their boundaries)  "Well, you're being fake.  And the Word is clear, that God doesn't just see the outward, but he sees the the intentions and inner thoughts." He smiled, "Oh, okay, I just wanted to make sure."  More shaping.  


It then shaped me.