But This Is Kids' Stuff!
Stories
56 Stories For Preaching
Pastor Evans gave a slight smile as she met Roy, who would be
her intern pastor, especially when he spelled out all that he
hoped to accomplish in his year of "field experience."
She glanced at the sheet of paper which contained a neatly
typed list which included, among other things, these project
ideas:
Lead a weekly Bible study for all the adults of the church.
Preach every other week on the gifts of the spirit and its
ramifications on the great issues of our world today.
Develop a community program for appreciation of the hymns of
our heritage.
Serve on the board of a local non-profit community agency.
Teach a comprehensive overview of the history of communion
practices from the first century.
"That is quite a list, Roy," pastor Evans said. "You have
great things planned. I think you should start right at the top.
I want you to teach the three- and four-year-old Sunday school
class."
Roy's proud, confident smile dimmed noticeably. "Kids?" he
asked. "Don't you have some, uh, mother, to do that?"
"You'll do fine, Roy," Pastor Evans said.
Sunday morning came. Roy was introduced during the worship
service. He did very well because he had studied hard in worship
class. But as the Sunday school hour approached, his confidence
waned.
He walked into the basement classroom, which contained a
shortened table, seven tiny chairs, and five little cherubs,
running around in a spirited game of ninja acolyte.
"Okay, children, let's sit down," said Roy. "I want to tell
you about the influence of the Byzantine Empire on the early
church writings."
"Hey, Mr. Pastor, how did Jesus know when to get up on
Easter?" asked Billy.
"Hey, Pastor Jesus, do angels live at your house?" asked
Tiffany.
"Hey, Pastor Pastor, why did God make my goldfish die?" asked
Steven.
Roy was terrified. He had no answers. He did not know what to
say to these children. How would he teach them the important
things of the faith?
Lisa, seeing Roy's troubled look, walked up to him, took his
hand. "Don't worry, Pastor, Jesus loves you. I love you, too.
Come and sit with us."
Roy looked at this little disciple and heard his Lord's words.
"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and
whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
And Roy knew that he had just been welcomed as one of these.
her intern pastor, especially when he spelled out all that he
hoped to accomplish in his year of "field experience."
She glanced at the sheet of paper which contained a neatly
typed list which included, among other things, these project
ideas:
Lead a weekly Bible study for all the adults of the church.
Preach every other week on the gifts of the spirit and its
ramifications on the great issues of our world today.
Develop a community program for appreciation of the hymns of
our heritage.
Serve on the board of a local non-profit community agency.
Teach a comprehensive overview of the history of communion
practices from the first century.
"That is quite a list, Roy," pastor Evans said. "You have
great things planned. I think you should start right at the top.
I want you to teach the three- and four-year-old Sunday school
class."
Roy's proud, confident smile dimmed noticeably. "Kids?" he
asked. "Don't you have some, uh, mother, to do that?"
"You'll do fine, Roy," Pastor Evans said.
Sunday morning came. Roy was introduced during the worship
service. He did very well because he had studied hard in worship
class. But as the Sunday school hour approached, his confidence
waned.
He walked into the basement classroom, which contained a
shortened table, seven tiny chairs, and five little cherubs,
running around in a spirited game of ninja acolyte.
"Okay, children, let's sit down," said Roy. "I want to tell
you about the influence of the Byzantine Empire on the early
church writings."
"Hey, Mr. Pastor, how did Jesus know when to get up on
Easter?" asked Billy.
"Hey, Pastor Jesus, do angels live at your house?" asked
Tiffany.
"Hey, Pastor Pastor, why did God make my goldfish die?" asked
Steven.
Roy was terrified. He had no answers. He did not know what to
say to these children. How would he teach them the important
things of the faith?
Lisa, seeing Roy's troubled look, walked up to him, took his
hand. "Don't worry, Pastor, Jesus loves you. I love you, too.
Come and sit with us."
Roy looked at this little disciple and heard his Lord's words.
"Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and
whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
And Roy knew that he had just been welcomed as one of these.
