We began our lesson with some of the leaders in the time of the judges of Israel. I was surprised by how much these kids already knew. From a woman driving a peg into the head of Barak during the time of Israel to the Philistines gauging out Samson's eyes, they already know quite a bit - though, admittedly, it was the boys who remembered the more gory details.
One of the objectives of this Sunday School lesson was to reflect on people who had guided us in our lives. Like the judges guiding Israel back to God, who in our lives had helped us know what God wants of us? As we came to the end of our time, I handed out little papers and asked the kids to make a list of these people.
The response was less than enthusiastic. I gave them a few more prompts, and finally everyone began to write. I asked if anyone would like to share and was met with silence. Trying a different tactic, I asked them to just say one name on their list. It was like pulling teeth, but they all took a turn.
Wanting to wrap things up, I went ahead and closed us in prayer. I told the kids that they would each get the chance to pray for a person they wrote down. I prayed for my person, someone who had inspired a heart for missions in me, and then told the boy beside me, "Ok, you can say your person."
I had just planned on them saying the names and finishing up, but the first one prayed a very nice prayer for the person he had mentioned earlier. Then the second one did the same, and the next one and the next. I was a little concerned that this was going to take much longer than they had patience for, but each child prayed in turn, giving thanks for a variety of people in their lives, from the director of the home to the mechanic.
Kids enthusiastically calling out the answers, eagerly raising their hands to read the Bible verse, listening wide-eyed as I tell the story, saying precious prayers - it's what brings joy to my heart and reminds me why I signed up for this in the first place. :)
