Faith Statements: He Already Knows What To Do
I was helping out in our Sunday School (Kids Church) yesterday and our lesson was about Jesus meeting our needs. Some people think that giving lessons to kids is piece of cake, actually, its really hard for teachers to connect to the kids specially if you don’t know what they are going through. These kids as young as they are, have things going on in their minds that they think are big problems- unsolvable by their own capabilities.
For example we asked some kids what they think their biggest need/problem is right now, and what do they want to ask God about these need/problem. (Real name changed for privacy reasons).
“I wanna pass English and Science!”. “I wanna know how I can pass this subjects!” said Tam.
“I want my dad to go to church!”. “I want to know, how can I make my dad go to church!” – said a young girl named, RV.
“I am having problems keeping my promises!” . “Can God help me keep my promises?” said KB, a young boy who seem to have a struggle that even grown ups could relate to.
The next thing we did is we tried substituting those problems and questions on this verse:
When Jesus looked out and saw that [a large crowd had arrived], he said to [Philip], ”[Where can we buy bread to feed these people?]“ He said this to stretch [Philip]‘s faith. He already knew what he was going to do. (see John 6:5-6 MSG)
I told them:
Substitute the pink part with your problem statement.
Substitute the blue part with your name.
Substitute the orange part with your question.
Let’s try it, For RV’s example:
When Jesus looked out and saw that [RV wants her dad to go to church], he said to [RV], ”[How are you going to make your dad go to church?]“ He said this to stretch [RV]‘s faith. He already knew what he was going to do.
Isn’t it amazing that God’s promises are transferable and adaptable to our own lives? Even in the lives of these kids. Even more amazing is that, Jesus already knows what He needs to do, even before you ask- BUT he wants you to BE INVOLVED in the process, so He could stretch your faith!
What I know is that before I left that day, I saw a glimpse of hope on these kids eyes. A hope for a dream or a need or a problem, that nobody could really fill, except God. We, as teachers, can only do so much. But it is our prayer that as we put this seed of hope in them, God will be the one to come through for their “impossible problems”.
Oh and I realize that we grown-ups, would have had less enthusiasm and hope as these kids. They’re kids, they would believe anything grown ups tell them. But us, we would smirk at these “faith statements”. “You don’ have any idea how hard this is!”
Grown-ups would have all sorts of excuses. And, why not? We have been through a lot and we know REALITY more than them.
So, as a bonus for you guys reading this, I think Jesus wants you to answer another question:
“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord,” they replied. (excerpt, Matthew 9:28 NIV)
This time, you replace the red text with your answer. Sometimes we ought to have child-like, audacious, and expectant faith like these kids.
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audacious, child-like, children, faith, Jesus, John 6:5-6, kids church, Matthew 9:28, needs, problems
