Kids ask the best questions!

The amazing questions, thoughts and ideas that come from little children never seems to astound me. Many times I go weeks and months without getting to hear some of the priceless questions and then when I least expect it they bombard me with deep theological ideas that challenge me to think and reason out what it is I believe and think.

Today in Sunday School our topic was looking at James 2:1-9. This passage centers on not showing favoritism. When reading I improvised and instead of using the imagery of meetings I used school and changed the rich and poor to things the students might see in their classes. We talked about loving everyone. It was at this point that one of my students first challenged me.

A little boy pipped up, "shouldn't we care for the poor more though?" How to thread the needle with two five-year-old students and a three-year-old? I tried to figure this out and as I thought it became clear that we must love equally, but sometimes we show this differently. My own parents came to mind as my brother and I are very different in personality and needs. They loved us equally, but sometimes that meant spending more time with Matt or me. It might mean more help, care, or teaching to either one of us depending on the situation. With a persons status this should be the same. How the love is demonstrated might be very differently. One may need basic needs met. The other might need truth spoken in their life, or companionship.

After wading through this question another was lobbed my way, "shouldn't we love God and Jesus more than people though?" My first thought was simply "uhhhh..." Then a scripture passage entered my mind, the Greatest Commandment. I let the kids know that Jesus talked about that and we should investigate together to see if we can figure that out. As we read the passage Jesus mentions loving God first and foremost. Then states that we should love each other. It seems as though it is "1" and "1a". As this was talked about it became clear that really when we love God we will love others. One flows from the other.

While I am not sure any of this sunk in, as none of the children had technically entered school yet, it was a great Sunday School. The best thing is that they are still able to ask these questions and push adults. The hardest part might be explaining it at the right cognitive level.

On the lighter side, at the end of church the three year old boy had a question for me. He was in his dad's arms when he asked "Are you God?" I don't know that I have ever felt so honored in all my life. I quickly responded no, but I get to try and represent God and help others get to know God just like our Pastor, Parents, and friends. Hopefully it means that I am doing my job well and allowing Children to connect to God through me. What a special moment!