Behind the Smiles: What Are Your Kids Really Going Through?
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous…” (1 Pet. 3:8, KJV). You spend a lot of time trying to manage your kids in Bible class. Shushing, instructing, correcting. In many sessions they may seem like a mass of silly giggles. But behind the smiles and the silliness, what are your kids really going through?
When we see the little learners in our Bible classes, surrounded by friends in a fun environment, it’s easy to think that these are all just happy kids, who all have a safe, happy life. But in the same way that’s not likely true for all of the adults sitting in one room together, neither is it likely to be true for all of the kids sitting in your Bible class. What are your kids really going through?
It’s Hard to Know, But…
Although there maybe no way for you to know all of the details of every student’s life, you can always remember that, just like me and you, kids are typically going through some stuff, too. Sometimes that stuff manifests itself as being too silly in class, or too braggy, or being a bully, or being super shy. And for some kids they never show it at all.
If we look on our students the way God looks at them, with compassion, then we do not necessarily need to know all the details. We do not need to put all the pieces together of why a certain child acts a certain way. All we need to do is make sure that every kid in that class, troubled or not, knows that when they walk through the door, they are entering a “Compassion Zone.” Regardless of how others have treated them all week, here they will spend an hour or so with someone who loves them, and is telling them about Someone who loves them infinitely more.
What They Will Remember
Preparing your lesson is important. Picking a cute craft is fun. Organizing a cool game is great. But at the end of the day, did your kids feel your compassion for them and their struggles?
Spend some time in prayer before your class this week. Ask God to give you a heart of compassion for your students. In years to come that is going to be what they really remember. What are your kids really going through?
You can see all of the articles by Sarah on Sunday School Zone.
