Tales from the Basement

Some of you know intimately the joy of teaching children’s church, known quaintly as “Kidztown”. Yet many of you can only imagine what happens downstairs during the weekly sermon by the rumblings heard from below. Are the children learning to line dance? Are they acting out Matthew 8:32? Perhaps, but most often the children are encountering the Bible in an enjoyable, engaging classroom environment. Therefore, I thought it would be worthwhile to inform those of you who may be unfamiliar by sharing a tale from the basement of Foundry Church.

Today’s story recounts a recent class of about 15 primary school aged children. The passage was from 2 Kings 22 and 23, the story of King Josiah who rediscovered the Torah while cleaning the temple. The main lesson was how much of a treasure God’s word is.

I asked the children to tell me about their Bibles. One spoke up, “I have a Bible at home!” Another announced, “Me too!” A third one, a little girl, reached into her tiny sequined backpack, and proclaimed, “I have the HOLY Bible!” So, we all agreed to read from her version due to its holiness.

Around the room were piles of crumpled newspapers, symbolizing the mess that filled the temple. Placed among the newspapers were more desirable items, like toys, [fake] money, and an iPad. Channeling the excitement of Josiah, we read about the trashing of the idols, and then the children were instructed to follow suit and throw everything in a large bin, symbolizing the cleansing of the temple.

The newspapers quickly made it into the bin (do your children clean this fast at home?), but the more coveted items proved difficult to discard. A little girl’s eyes widened when the iPad was in her hands. “Can I keep this?” Can you blame her?

It’s easy to scoff at the ancient Israelites’ foolish embrace of idols, but even the children understood how alluring worldly accoutrements can be. What hope is there for us when so many enticements compete for our attention?

Then one child asked, “Why is there a little piece of paper taped to this toy?” For he had discovered that attached to every “idol” was a passage of Scripture. Then we took turns reading Bible verses that had been hidden on the idols. One of the few children who were literate volunteered to read Ephesians 4:32: “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

The last word of that verse was a struggle for this little boy. He had never seen that word before, the word “Christ.” I almost teared up listening to him try to pronounce the title of the one who has loved him from before he was born. It was an exhilarating honor to introduce the boy to Jesus. It was a rejuvenating joy to share the word of God with a classroom full of energetic learners.

I do not recommend teaching Kidztown for those who lack the resources to take a Sunday afternoon nap. However, I strongly recommend spending time with those little nuclear reactors whose enthusiasm for God’s word is contagious. Our children’s ministry is thriving, with special thanks to Elissa Scott, our children’s ministry director. The future of our church is a spirit oozing like magma beneath the surface. Pay attention to the rumblings from the basement; there is something bubbling up!