Monday, February 06, 2006
Of children and faith
By Henrylito D. Tacio
Regarding Henry
GROWING up in a Christian family, I have to admit that I learned so many things about the Bible, Jesus Christ, David and Goliath, Moses and the Ten Commandments, the first Christmas, and my Christian faith, among others. I learned all these through our Sunday school.I could not recall if I was an attentive pupil, whether I was always asking my teacher, or if I was mischievous.
After all, to be a Sunday school teacher among children is a great challenge. Ask Hollywood actor Dick Van Dyke. He once served as a Sunday school teacher for three years at a Dutch Reformed church on Long Island.
In fact, if he would run an ad in a newspaper, Dick would write it this way: "Wanted: Teacher. Must have the wisdom of Solomon, the patience of Job, and the courage of David."
Children are children, no matter what. And yes, they are very imaginative. So don't be surprised when they answer your questions in a surprise manner.
Six boys were making clay models of baby Moses in a basket. The teacher looked at each one when they were completed, and made some encouraging comment. When she came to the youngest boy among the group she noticed an extra strip of clay across the top of the basket. She was curious so she asked him. "Oh, that's his seat belt!" the boy replied.
More often than not, children are inquisitive. They try to relate the past and the present. A teacher was telling her pupils about how God sent the ravens to feed Elijah with bread and meat. A surprised little boy stood up and wondered, "No catsup?"
In some instances, kids are logical. "Always remember we are here to help others," said the mother as she explained the Golden Rule. Her little one meditated for a moment and inquired, "Well, what are the others here for?"
At one time, a Sunday school teacher was giving her pupils a lesson on Abraham and Sarah having as many children as the sands on the seashore and the stars in the heavens. The teacher explained that this meant, "Their children's children would number this many."
A little girl raised her hand and exclaimed, "Oh, I'm glad to hear that. I was thinking Sarah would have to be in the hospital a real long time for all those children!"
Clear-eyed, indisputable logic is children's stock in trade. Take the case of the little boy who has just heard the story of the prodigal son and the jealousy of his brother for the first time. "Now, let's see how well you have paid attention," the teacher inquired. "At the feast that was given to celebrate the return of the prodigal son, there was one to whom the party brought no joy, only resentment and bitterness and disappointment. Who was it?" The little boy raised his hand and answered: "The fatted calf."
While children always ask questions, they have also some ready answer for every question. On the way home from church, the father asked how he liked his Sunday school. "Oh, I like it fine, but my teacher has a very poor memory," the son answered.
"What makes you say that?" the father inquired. The boy's reply: "Because every Sunday she always asks us what last week's lesson was about."
This one is hilarious. "Today," the teacher said, "I shall tell you a Bible story on Moses and the plagues sent on the people of Egypt. Does anyone know what a plague is?"
A six-year-old girl shouted: "Yes, my brother is one." Children have their own way of interpreting Bible verses. Here's what a boy's interpretation of "A soft answer turn away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1):
"It means that if someone gets mad at you, and you don't get mad back at him, he has to go off and be mad by himself. But if someone gets mad at you and you get mad back at him, then you get in a fight!"
Children have their own versions, too. After teaching the verse, "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you" (James 4:8) to a group of children who had very little previous training, the teacher asked if someone would like to quote it for her.
The teacher received an immediate response from the little boy whom she had least expected to recite. He stood up and said clearly, "Draw a knife on God and He will draw a knife on you."
Here's another one. The teacher was giving a chalk talk to illustrate Matthew 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men..." He drew a picture of a light bulb with rays shining from it, and then asked the class what it meant. A little boy answered, "It means to let your light bulb shine."
Of course, children also pray. And when they pray, expect the unexpected. A tiny five-year-old was spending a night away from home. At bedtime, she knelt at her aunt's knee to say her prayers, expecting the usual prompting.
Finding her aunt unable to help her, she concluded, "Please, God, excuse me. I can't remember my prayers, and I'm staying with my aunt who doesn't know any. Amen."
In his book, "Faith, Hope, and Hilarity," Dick Van Dyke wrote: "The faith of children has an innocence -- a kind of trust and openness -- that the Bible surely meant when we were told, 'Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."
For comments, write me at tasyo2002@yahoo.com
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