So here we are again.
It is August 25th and there are only 18 days until the bible bee. Last night I sent an e mail confirmation to the hosting church confirming their attendance. Apparently out of over two hundred children at this location alone, 50 of them have dropped out and they were trying to get an accurate number so that they could staff appropriately. If you saw the intensity of this bee you would applaud the children who even just show up. I have sheltered my children from the regulations and have just made it about learning to hide God's word in their hearts. I too have benefitted from this. For instance, a month ago I couldn't quote Psalms 34:18-19, but today I know that it says...
The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord will deliver him out of them all.
Psalms 34:18-19 NKJV
That is always a great verse to remind me that God is in control and I have nothing to fear. So I will continue to teach my children God's word and show them how to apply it in their lives. Even though they are young they are learning to recognize and utilize the verses in their hearts. It is really cool to see them blossom.
Please pray for them as that gets nearer. Every Wednesday night I take them to a study group where there are several adults who have volunteered to sit and listen to the children who are invloved in the bible bee quote verses to them. They are called encouragers because that is exactly what they do. They encourage the children to continue to learn verses and give them tons of positive reinforcement. The kids love to quote verses to people who are just willing to listen. So simple isn't it? There are 7 children from our church who will be participating in the bible bee from our church, and they are all each other's encouragers. They are not competitive about winning. They just want to be there with their friends. :o)
It's amazing what children will teach us if we just allow them to.
Amen to the Sunday School memories and we will pray for the boys, as well! It's remarkable to watch how they grow!
Posted by: ol Doc | August 26, 2009 at 09:00 AM
When your mom and I were teaching Sunday School, we both said that we learned as much as we taught.
Will surely pray for the little guys.
Posted by: Ranger | August 25, 2009 at 08:25 PM