We have been visiting A LOT of schools. There have been some that we have taught at (I specifically taught art) and some where we really just played with the kids. Most of the schools we go to, though, there is a more school assembly type style that we speak at. And because we can actually talk about God in public schools here, we sing some worship songs and have someone do a short bible lesson.
I was the one to speak at a particular school we went to that was for elementary and middle school aged kids. The topic I decided to talk about was the purpose of life. Woof. Deep topic. (My blog is not about this but I feel the need to say our purpose in life is glorify God. Okay that one was for free. You’re welcome.)
After leaving the school I was wondering if I should have picked a different topic. Maybe something a little simpler. I realized that was a ridiculous thing to think. It is a disservice to kids when you assume they won’t or can’t understand something. Kids are way smarter than we give them credit for. And the kids who do understand, isn’t it better the earlier they hear? They can better start living out their lives the way God has asked them to. Children want to be and need to be intellectually challenged. Giving them deeper topics is something we should be doing more often.
When you treat a child like an adult they are more likely to act like an adult. There is a quote from Thomas Carlyle that says, “Tell a man he is brave and you will help him become so.” When we treat a child like they have the capacity to comprehend things, I believe they will learn more and believe themselves they can understand great things.
Last thing, there is no “junior” Holy Spirit. Kids who have accepted Christ have the same Holy Spirit that we do. God in us has the ability to do things we humanly can’t understand, and when he does these cool things we’re amazed. Why can’t the Holy Spirit in children do amazing things too?
Allow children the opportunity to understand deep topics and be amazed at how much they pick up. Kids don’t always need things simplified for them. Give ‘em the hard stuff.
