Last night I ran a Survivor Party for my middle school kids at church. There are three essential parts to a successful middle school event: gross and silly games, junk food snacks, and the willness to make a fool out of yourself. All three were accomplished last night and the evening ended with me letting the kids throw bologna on my face and I'm proud to say that many succeeded! Last night (hopefully!) will be one of those moments that they remember for years.
So where does this leave church and Bible study? What do we do when the majority of sermons and Bible lessons get forgotten as we walk out the door while a night of spitballs and tossing sandwhich meat becomes a significant life changing event? Ok, maybe life changing is pushing it, but it is an experience that will stand out in my pre-teens memories and be that nudge that brings them back to both church and the next event. We didn't open a Bible, we didn't sit in a circle and pray, but we shared an experience together and developed friendships. The classroom isn't the only place to teach and influence the lives of others; each day is full of little teachable moments that we can choose to grasp and use or let slip by. When Jesus taughted others, he took advantage of these teachable moments. He influenced Mary and Martha when he was over for dinner at their house. He told fishermen as they worked that they would no longer be fishing for fish, but for people. As he walked by fields of different crops, he explained the different effects of the Gospel on our hearts. Jesus did teach in the synagogue, but he also influenced others at the dinner table, walking through the market, or on a journey to a new town. He influenced others because he lived his faith and saw the crowds around him as people, not students. Jesus sees us with love as friends and God's children rather then pupils that need to learn. That's why I follow him.
A night of silly games shows us the importance of joy and laughter, friendship, team building, and how to have fun without hurting others. It teaches us to include and spend time with those outside of our friendship group. It develops friendships and comforts the lonely. Who knew bologna could do all that??
So where does this leave church and Bible study? What do we do when the majority of sermons and Bible lessons get forgotten as we walk out the door while a night of spitballs and tossing sandwhich meat becomes a significant life changing event? Ok, maybe life changing is pushing it, but it is an experience that will stand out in my pre-teens memories and be that nudge that brings them back to both church and the next event. We didn't open a Bible, we didn't sit in a circle and pray, but we shared an experience together and developed friendships. The classroom isn't the only place to teach and influence the lives of others; each day is full of little teachable moments that we can choose to grasp and use or let slip by. When Jesus taughted others, he took advantage of these teachable moments. He influenced Mary and Martha when he was over for dinner at their house. He told fishermen as they worked that they would no longer be fishing for fish, but for people. As he walked by fields of different crops, he explained the different effects of the Gospel on our hearts. Jesus did teach in the synagogue, but he also influenced others at the dinner table, walking through the market, or on a journey to a new town. He influenced others because he lived his faith and saw the crowds around him as people, not students. Jesus sees us with love as friends and God's children rather then pupils that need to learn. That's why I follow him.
A night of silly games shows us the importance of joy and laughter, friendship, team building, and how to have fun without hurting others. It teaches us to include and spend time with those outside of our friendship group. It develops friendships and comforts the lonely. Who knew bologna could do all that??
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