This summer, our church started looking for Sunday school teachers. Truth be told, most of us don't really like getting up earlier than we need to during our weekends, so the responsibility often falls on those of us who have children attending Sunday school.
Last year, I didn't volunteer. I had excuses, the twins were small, etc. This year the inspiration came from my daughter. We were reading the church's bulletin one Sunday, and I mentioned to her they were looking for teachers. She became very excited and said she would like for me to be a teacher. How could I say no? So I signed up.
I am not teaching her class, though. This year she will going through First Communion classes, so they have a special teacher for that class. I am teaching the 3rd-4th graders this year. When I received the call, I was told these children were very bright, smart, and eager to learn. They would challenge me with questions, so I should be prepared.
They didn't tell me I would learn from them as much as they would learn from me. Our parish is small, and our class is small enough that all the kids get to participate and we (the teachers) get to interact with all of them.
Last week our lesson was about the first Christians, the things they went through, how they stood up for their faith even though they were likely to die for their beliefs.
I asked the class to think for a second about someone they knew, someone in their life, who stands up for their faith.
The first answer from most of them: my mother.
I hadn't really thought about the impact my faith could be having on my kids. To hear these kids talk about their mothers with such respect and admiration was an incredible feeling. I wonder if their moms know what an impact they have on their kids. I'm guessing they probably don't. Like me, they probably are doing the best they can to raise their children in the church, to teach them right from wrong. They probably don't expect praise, and probably don't know that their children are watching and noticing every example they set.
I'm glad I took on the challenge to teach these kids. They are bringing so many blessings to my life, and I'm learning a great deal from them.
"Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
4 comments:
Jana and I work with the 4th graders in our church, and I can agree with you at how smart (and impressionable) they are!
I'm glad your daughter "prodded" you into teaching. You will certainly receive a huge blessing from it!
Clark
Reading this post, I thought about my mother. She had us in church every time the doors were open, and lived her life every day as an example to us.
And she was a Sunday school teacher, too.
Thanks for your post. :)
I, too, teach the 3rd and 4th graders at my church. I have taken a few weeks off for "maternity" leave, and I didn't realize how much I would miss it. Kids are great and it's funny how kids will say anything. Get ready, because you might hear about things that go on with their home life, too.......
I think we all need that reminder sometimes. Thanks!
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