Kids learning to pray

This week I have been overwhelmed by the move of God in the lives of the kids I am teaching in Good News Clubs and AWANA. Many of these kids in these clubs are beginning to understand what prayer is and the importance of them praying. When given an opportunity to pray this week at GNC on Monday, Yorel volunteered and prayed the Lord's Prayer perfectly. We have never covered this in GNC. Tuesday also, we had Tommy volunteer to pray to close the GNC. Tommy prayed a prayer that just was amazing. Tommy is about 3rd grade, maybe 4th. He prayed to God so confidently and elloquently. My GNC teaching partner for that club turned to me later after the club in utter amazement. So it is great to see that kids like Yorel and Tommy in my GNC are coming from good solid Christian homes. Sadly this cannot be said for all the kids I reach in GNC or AWANA.

For my AWANA kids, it has been an up hill climb understanding who God is, because most of them came to us not knowing much of God at all. It has been a slow process, but just last night in our lesson series on prayer, the kids each one by one volunteered praying to God. It is such a blessing to hear kids who a few months ago did not understand much about God, praying to HIM!!!!!

"How do I know what God wants me to do?"

During the gospel application of my Bible lesson this week at Good News Club, Sophie raised her hand and said " How do I know what God wants me to do?" We were discussing that sin is breaking God's law. Sophie had no idea how she was to know what God wanted her to do. So, I replied, "We find that out in the Bible, God's Word". Sophie replied, "What if you don't have a Bible." This was a fresh reminder to me. Some kids come to GNC and have really no idea who God isl, let alone know about the Bible. I gave Sophie a Bible along with a Wonder Devotional book. Pray that Sophie will continue to have this desire to know about God. This stands as a testimony to the truth that lack of knowledge of God crosses all social, cultural, and economic barriers. All kid need to learn about God.

Destiny: the girl that almost forgot GNC

Destiny is new to Good News Club this year. Each time the Bible is taught, Destiny is so focused and really listening to God's Word. Typically, Destiny is one of the first kids to come into GNC. Yesterday, as GNC began, she was not there. Another girl Jaime was not there either. Jaime's brother Jaylun was at GNC. So, we had to get her off the bus. It turns out that Destiny and Jaime are on the same bus. Both girls had forgotten about GNC. Destiny, who almost forgot about GNC, sat and entered into the club. When the invitation to receive Christ was given, Destiny responded and received Jesus as Savior! Praise God!!!! It is just like a good friend of mine, Bill Allison, says Destiny "had a divine appointment with God" and nothing could stop her from keeping that appointment.

Good News Clubbber desires to live for HIM

I just spoke with Ruth Johnson, GNC teacher at Union Elementary School in Joliet. For several times now Malik has come back to talk to Ruth about becoming God's child. Malik tells Ruth about how much he loves God and desires to live for Him. Malik brings his Bible each week and will tell you that he is reading it. The only thing, however, is the Malik does not recognize or yet understand what sin is. All of us have tried talking to him about this, but Malik is not ready. So, we are praying for him. Please pray that God would do a work in Malik's heart and life

A break through with Kyle

Kyle has been coming to my SPARKS program since September. He is a very active child with a vivid imagination. Often times throughout the year Kyle would answer questions with the most odd comments like "I've been to Heaven. My dad took me there." The comments have gotten more and more strange. Most of these comments come in response to a question when we as teachers ask the class a question during the Bible lesson. Recently, we have made the switch to pre-school lessons from CEF PRESS. Last night we had a lesson about Nehemiah and the importance of prayer in every situation. During the Gospel application, I asked "What did God do to prove His love for you? " Kyle raised his hand. With fear and trembling, I called on Kyle. He answerd "Jesus died on the cross!" When we heard that every leader in the room applauded Kyle. Kyle still has that vivid imagination, but the Gospel is finally starting to click with him. I am just in amazed at how God is working in the lives of Kyle and the rest of my SPARKIES.

"Why do we sin?'

For the last several weeks I've noticed that they kids in my SPARKS group were not really understanding what was being taught during the Bible Lesson. So, last week I taught using the Preschoolers Can Know God series. They seemed very much more engaged in the lesson. During the Gospel application in my lesson, I posed the question "Why do we sin?" Then one girl raised her hand "because we are not perfect!" WOW. I never really understood if this girl was understanding what was being taught! But God did. I was so encouarged to hear this precious first grade girl, who never said a word before during the Bible lesson, give such a great answer! YOu never know what God is doing through you!

1st grader with a passion for the lost

Walker's Grove Good News Club started yesterday with a huge response. 13 kids came for the first meeting! One girl Kristen blew me away by with her own testimony. Kristen, a first grader, responded to the invitation to receive Christ as Savior. When she came back, she stated that " I want God in my life." As we continued it became evident that she is already a believer. Her next words were a pleasant surprise! Kristen spoke about her friend Rachel and how she really wants Rachel to come to know and love God. So, Kristen told her about God but Rachel didn't want to listen. Burdened for Rachel to come to God, Kristen told her parents and then they got involved telling Rachel about God. School vacation or something happened. Then Kristen began looking for Rachel to talk to her more about God. Unfortunately Rachel moved away!

How awesome to have a first grader with such a passion for her friends to come to GOD!!!!