I have not posted anything in the past few days because I have been involved in teaching a Vacation Bible School class for 3rd and 4th graders. Actually I have been team teaching with my wife Gray ( as usual she does all the work and I talk a lot and play with the kids)
This is the first year in several years that I have gotten the privilege of actually teaching kids. In my role over the past ten years as a pastor of a multi staff church getting to that contact place of teaching the classes just didn't happen. Boy did I miss it and wow, what great fun this has been this week. Tired, yes, but I discovered a long time ago that the best energy in the world is Holy Spirit energy when I have used all mine up for His name sakes and He kicks in His graceful power.
A couple of observations. First is the wonderful memories that flow through my mind. Gray and I actually started ministry together teaching a sixth grade VBS in Franklin N.C. We saw seven of those boys and five other family members come to Christ and were baptized. From that we started doing backyard Bible Clubs and then one day God stepped in and said " Let's do this full time." and here we are. Precious experiences with Christ have come along. I see in my mind the dear elderly lady who let us use her front yard to do a Backyard Bible Club and 24 neighboring kids came every day and watching her stand by with tears in her eyes as she saw the kids listening to God's word.
The other is the extremely high level of interest of the kids in our class this week in the Bible and the application to life. I am amazed at how much these guys really get it when we talk about Jesus and their living their life by His plan. I am more confident than ever before that the church is going to not only survive but thrive. Our practices and methods may not survive, but a future generation committed to Jesus and following Him, that has the bright hope.
I appreciate the Lord letting me have this shot and will be doing more. But I am even more appreciative of you folks who are out there week after week in Sunday School, Mission Groups etc. Leading children to Christ.
This is the first year in several years that I have gotten the privilege of actually teaching kids. In my role over the past ten years as a pastor of a multi staff church getting to that contact place of teaching the classes just didn't happen. Boy did I miss it and wow, what great fun this has been this week. Tired, yes, but I discovered a long time ago that the best energy in the world is Holy Spirit energy when I have used all mine up for His name sakes and He kicks in His graceful power.
A couple of observations. First is the wonderful memories that flow through my mind. Gray and I actually started ministry together teaching a sixth grade VBS in Franklin N.C. We saw seven of those boys and five other family members come to Christ and were baptized. From that we started doing backyard Bible Clubs and then one day God stepped in and said " Let's do this full time." and here we are. Precious experiences with Christ have come along. I see in my mind the dear elderly lady who let us use her front yard to do a Backyard Bible Club and 24 neighboring kids came every day and watching her stand by with tears in her eyes as she saw the kids listening to God's word.
The other is the extremely high level of interest of the kids in our class this week in the Bible and the application to life. I am amazed at how much these guys really get it when we talk about Jesus and their living their life by His plan. I am more confident than ever before that the church is going to not only survive but thrive. Our practices and methods may not survive, but a future generation committed to Jesus and following Him, that has the bright hope.
I appreciate the Lord letting me have this shot and will be doing more. But I am even more appreciative of you folks who are out there week after week in Sunday School, Mission Groups etc. Leading children to Christ.
posted by Phil | 9:03 AM
2 Comments:
Thanks for sharing. I too love VBS and what it does gor kids. Keep at it.
What encouraging blogs! I am enjoying your contemplations. thanks for sharing. It is encouraging to see the Assocional Missionary out there doing missions leading by example. God bless your efforts.
Karen Anderson
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