2013 is the year of falling in love with my church's sunday school curriculum. we use Show Me Jesus. i love it more every time i read a lesson. i might have reservations about patty the puppet; she's more than a little creepy. but paper puppets with eyes like chucky aside, SMJ's been huge in helping me put myself in the shoes of people who were interacting with Jesus during his life and ministry on earth. in one of the lessons, the heart preparation section (intended for the teacher to read over, maybe during devotions, to get ready to lead the kids) quoted these hymn lyrics: "oh that i might have seen Christ's kind look when he said, 'let the little ones come unto me.'" what a humbling yet empowering thought!
shortly after reading that gem, i came across psalm 145:4: "one generation will praise your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts."
this isn't an exhaustive list, but i have a few things in mind these days as i spend time with the kids at church. here are some of the 'works and acts' of God that i want to declare to the next generation.
-his commands- they are for freedom; they're not burdensome!
-his design- he made you; he knows how you will best function! Listen to him, little children; love his word more than the creeds and value systems the world is serving up.
-his friendship- he makes enemies into friends, cursers into blessers, rebels of his mission into slaves of righteousness. follow him, walk with him, serve him with your whole heart. this is the life.
somehow i pray we can communicate to our kids their hearts will only be full in Christ. the challenge is to live there, and model what it means to be his friend, follower, and servant. what an adventure. who's in?
