Seeds Planted

What’s Happening in the Kindergarten Class?!

Kids Ministry at RMCC is about investing in young hearts and minds for eternity. The goal is to teach the Bible, to share about Jesus. But this had become increasingly challenging in the Kindergarten class, with struggles at every turn. When there’s a scramble to hide under the table instead of to sit for story time, or rambunctious chaos that resembles tackle football with the Bible, it easily becomes daunting and discouraging for the teachers and assistants.

The ramifications of the past two years—of isolation, limited social interaction, constant change, gloom and fear in our society—has taken a toll on these precious kids. Think about this: as children in Kindergarten, nearly half of their lifetime has been during the pandemic! On top of all that, there’s a constant spiritual battle for our souls. Opposition is to be expected.

Help is On the Way

The prayers of many individuals within our church family and my Home Fellowship Group became a catalyst for dramatic change in the Kindergarten class.

Some wonderful things started happening:

• Growing excitement to be in class and eagerness to participate
• More interaction with each other, making friends
• Greater attention—listening, learning, answering questions
• Opportunities to explain the Gospel

The LORD is at work in these young lives. There’s no doubt the positive shifts during class and in the kids are a direct result of His gracious and powerful answers to prayer!

Here are a couple examples.

The Why of our Worship

All the children in Kids Church (from four years old to Grade 6) meet for a time of group worship every Sunday.

“Why are we going to sing with the big kids?” I asked.

“To worship God,” they replied.

“Yes! He is awesome and He made the heavens and the earth.”

A little girl piped up, “Yeah, He made the whole UNIVERSE!”

A boy eagerly chimed in, “He even made ALL OF US!”

They were absolutely beaming to share these truths! So off we went to sing and praise Him!

The Ten Commandments

One Sunday, we were sitting cross-legged in a circle, discussing the Bible account of the Ten Commandments and the Golden Calf (Exodus 20 & 32). Several in the group were already very familiar with the story and started listing the rules off by heart: “Do not steal, don’t lie or murder.”

One little fellow—a future preacher—was quite confident that he knew all about this, including “do not commit adultery.” We also talked about the meaning of “do not covet,” along with a brief summary of the other commands.

A sweet girl sitting next to me explained that God’s commandments are for our protection. Awesome!

Mom and Dad, Grandparents! You are doing a great job teaching them God’s Word, day in and day out.

The Best Questions

Meanwhile, another boy in the class was soaking it all up like a sponge!

The Scripture for our lesson that day recounts that Moses pleaded with the LORD for His mercy—not to destroy the children of Israel—and even offered himself as a substitute for their disobedience. What a powerful picture of what Jesus did for us—offering Himself as our sacrifice and dying on the Cross.

Sincerely hungry to know, our new little friend looked up and asked, “Why did He have to die?”

“Because God is holy and this was the payment for our sin,” I answered.

Then he asked another of life’s most meaningful inquiries. “Well, what is sin?”

This provided the opportunity for many of the children to share what they’ve learned about sin and help explain it.

In the Days Ahead

Seeds are being planted and watered. May God grant an eternal increase!

“For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations (Isaiah 61:11, NKJV).”

What a humbling and incredible privilege we have to get a front row seat to witness His work in these young ones.

We still need the Lord’s help! Here are some specific ways you can pray for Kids Church:

• For the children (of all ages): to be hungry to learn; that God would grant them spiritual understanding
• For the teachers and assistants: to be faithful to prepare, depending on the Holy Spirit
• For the Hall Parents: blessings upon their efforts to assist all the classes in various ways
• For the Kids Ministry staff: wisdom and endurance

Praise and thanks to God for the amazing things He is doing and what He will continue to do!

Written by Heidi Sharp