Saints

Last Sunday I did something I haven’t done in a very long time.  I taught Sunday School.

Now I love Children’s Ministry and Sunday School has a  special place in my heart.  But Sunday School at Shepherd of the Hills was scheduled during the worship service physically precluding me from teaching.  While I occasionally switched out the sermon for an extended children’s lesson in worship, mostly I relied on others to teach.

So when Grace, Evanston, was looking for a teacher for Sunday I volunteered. 

I decided to write a new lesson about Martin Luther King, or Saint Martin Luther King, as I called him. Thinking over Kings story I included elements about race, Christian faith, lunch counter sit ins and bus boycots, the march on Washington, and the fact that King went to jail.

I taught the lesson to preschoolers and kindergarteners on Sunday.  And while they had heard a lot about King  (one child seemed concerned that I didn’t talk about ALL The marches), the part about him going to prison seemed pretty foreign

One child insisted, “Only bad people go to jail.”  I said that lots of Christians have gone to prison, including most of the disciples.  But the kids didn’t seem to by it.

The car is always a primary place for theological discussion.  “Mama,” John said, “You must be wrong.  Only bad people go to jail.”

Having not succeeded with examples like Peter and Paul I mentioned a pastor back in California who John adores.  “Pr. Jeff was arrested,” I said, “when he was protesting laws he thought were wrong, just like Dr. King.”

John thought silently.  Everything seemed to sink in.  “Then I guess Pr. Jeff must be a saint like Dr. King , because saints fight for justice and peace.”

Its good to be back teaching Sunday School.  I learn so much.