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Like you, I sometimes wonder if what I do with children makes a difference. Take a peek into our 2-year-old Bible Time and my thoughts along the way.
8:40 “Aaron, come here!...Owen, put the hammer down and come to the Bible Time rug...Sophia, do you want to join us? C’mon, everyone.” The kids pile on my daughter Abby in the middle of the rug; not everyone comes, of course.
8:41 But I’m jazzed to make a difference in these little ones’ lives. I fumble with the Play ‘n’ Worship trifold as I sit in a toddler chair. “Marie, why don’t you sit over here in this chair?...Brecken, sweetie, you can’t sit in my lap right now. We won’t be able to see the pictures...Owen, can you put the hammer down?...Sophia, do you want to come over here? You can sit by Abby.”
8:42 I could be the first one to tell these little ones about Jesus’ birth. Five kids get situated. Aaron pulls at Brecken’s toy. Owen hammers at the construction center. Toby holds up a car to my face; sirens blare. “Here, let me hold that for you and keep it quiet.” I set it aside.
8:43 “A long time ago, an angel came to see Mary. Mary loved God. The angel told Mary she’d have a baby.” This is such an important truth for these kids to hear. “Mom, someone needs a change,” Abby says. A pungent odor wafts across the group, so all the kids’ noses turn up, and they lean away from the offender. Meet his need (our need) or go on with Bible Time? He looks at me sadly. “Here, let me change you and then we’ll finish Bible time.”
8:46 Diaper’s changed so we head back to the rug. I am laying a faith foundation for these kids, right? There are fewer kids on the rug, and there’s no corralling them now. Is it hot in here or what? I’m starting to sweat.
8:47 “Mary and Joseph named the baby Jesus.” I open the trifold and point to Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. “Do you see the baby?” Three children jump to their feet to touch the baby Jesus. “Stay seated so others can see.” Others jump up and crowd in. We wait for all of them to sit as they trip over Abby’s legs. “Jesus was a very special baby. Jesus is God’s Son!” I go on to tell about Jesus’ amazing birth.
8:50 We sing “Jesus Loves Me” and then pray for what’s on their minds (usually their parents).
Before big church, my husband asks, “How were the 2-year-olds?” “Wonderful!” I’m laying a faith foundation for the busiest little people in the world! And so are you!
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