Yesterday, I was surrounded by 8 children who were between the ages of 4-6. Our Sunday School lesson was about the 10 plagues of Egypt, and I was doing my best to bring it to life. I like to call what I do “Flannel Graphics,” because the Bible is not boring, and if we really put ourselves into Abraham’s and Isaac’s, or Moses’ and Pharaoh’s sandals, we would be a little more impressed with the grand (rather graphic at times) story of redemption told throughout the Bible.
As we sat by the Nile River (a long blue rug) I sprinkled black pepper flakes onto their little open hands. We threw the pepper into the air, and talked about eating, breathing, and sleeping with gnats that sting and get into your eyes, nose, and mouth.
We imagined stepping on squishy frogs, or being covered with painful boils. We were dizzy with thirst, and as we pretended to scoop up a drink from the Nile River, it turned to blood in our hands!
We looked out at our fields, and saw all of our animals dying! They were getting stinky in the heat of the Egyptian sun! Soon we would have nothing to eat or drink!
We were in the moment.
Leaning in close, giving the account all the animation I could muster, we discussed who in the class was a first-born son. Gravely, we contemplated the horrifying fact that at the stroke of mid-night, they would die if they were an Egyptian! As I pronounced the final judgement, a small blonde headed boy whose name happened to be Israel ( I kid you not) looked up at me with tears welling in his big blue eyes. His lips were trembling, as he asked in a frightened, but very clear voice: “Do we really have to die??”
The moment crystallized, and suddenly the power of the gospel message came flooding through our little classroom like a mountain stream– fresh and clear.
These children surrounding me were looking at me with fear in their eyes (I did feel a bit of remorse for scaring them too much in my dramatic interpretation,) but here was the question we all have hanging over our heads! It is The Question that demands An Answer, and it is the question God answered long ago when He sent His Son, Jesus to die in our place.
My heart was full when I assured the terrified little man, “No, we don’t have to die.'” God had made a way for us to be saved. Its not just good news, its Great News. In fact, it’s The Most Exciting News Ever! It is called The Gospel!
I was holding a small white Beanie-Baby lamb in my arms, as my serious but somewhat relieved little group walked with me to the doorway of our classroom. We talked of Passover: what it means to all people–not just little boys or nations called Israel. The children then watched (in disbelief!) as I dipped two fingers into a jar of ketchup, and painted it on the doorposts.
Sometimes, I am so grateful to be a Sunday School teacher.
Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29b (ESV)
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36 (KJV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John10:10 (NASB)
the good old way 