1 of 3
 Good Question!Whether asked by children or adults, sincere questions about faith deserve our attention—even when they come at inconvenient times.
1 of 3
The first-grader I mentor enjoys a simple, delicious game we play. For the first few minutes we meet, we ask one another questions—and with every answer comes an M&M. This week we started off with me asking, "What's your favorite color?" He answered, ate his M&M, and asked me, "What's your favorite color?" After my response, I slid him another M&M and asked, "What's your favorite food?" He replied and asked, "What's your favorite food?" After a couple more duplicate volleys, I suggested that we ask each other different questions. "What's it like to be a first-grader?" I said. After he responded, I slid him an M&M, and he asked, "What's it like to be old?" In his book Always Kiss Me Good Night: Instructions on Raising the Perfect Parent, J. S. Salt compiled parenting advice from 147 kids. One child gave clear and simple counsel: "Help me with stuff I don't understand." As a children's ministry worker, Sunday school teacher, Christian educator, or parent, prepare yourself for questions children ask so you can help them with stuff they don't understand. If you serve as a pastor, carefully consider if this discussion applies only to children (an obvious hint that it doesn't). Sounds like simple advice. But why don't kids' questions always excite us? Let's probe that question a bit with another story from my own experience. While leading a third-grade boys small group discussion one Sunday morning, I saw that we had only a minute left and said, "Guys, let's pray before your parents come from big church." The lesson plan specifically called for a prayer, and our group had finished every other activity for the day. Before I started the prayer, one boy asked, "Mr. Dave, how can God hear all the groups pray if everyone prays at the same time?" Did I stop to address his question and explain that God has the ability to hear all prayers? No. Did I take a moment and say that God has so much love for every person that he wants to listen to each of us? No. Did the thought even enter my mind that this might be an opportune moment to discuss a spiritual topic of genuine interest to this boy and others in the group? No. I maintained clear focus on the task in front of me and said, "Let's not talk about that now because we need to pray." After "Amen," parents arrived to pick up their kids—and the question never came up again in that small group. That incident serves to illustrate what happens when a question comes at a seemingly inconvenient time. A leader has the day's lesson planned, and a question might distract the group from his or her agenda. I know firsthand that frustration too frequently becomes the common, unfortunate reaction to unexpected questions. Strong task orientation can leave little or no room for spontaneity—and questions, of course, tend to be spontaneous interruptions. |        
       |
share this page
Average User Rating:
Anonymous
This is one of the reasons that I get annoyed every time Thomas gets called "Doubting" Yes, he had questions, but isn't it better to ask them then to bury them and have the doubt grow? It's good for everyone to ask questions and grow rather than be told they just have to "believe" God created us with a mind to use.
Hector Lopez(Registered User)
Sometimes the answer to the question has more signifance than the extra time that it takes to answer it. Don't Put Off For Tomorrow What You Can Do RIGHT NOW
Debbie
Good advice! I've taught 2nd grade Sunday School for 12 years now. When I first started I thought I had a pretty good handle on teaching; I memorized the lesson plans, planned extra crafts & activities related to the lesson, etc. ~ but I was caught off-guard when the kids started asking questions I didn't know the answers to; like, Why didn't the Hebrews like the Samaritans? Why was the woman at the well so surprised that Jesus would speak to her? Why was it so horrible to the prodigal son that he worked feeding pigs ~ don't farmers have to feed their pigs here?... EVERYTIME a child (a student or our OWN at home) asks a question, ESPECIALLY a spiritual question, we should stop in our tracks, drop what we're doing, and answer them ~ that chance may never come again. Also know that it's OK to say, "Wow, that's a really good question - I don't think I know the answer, but I'll find out!"~ then follow up!
Submit Your Rating and Review *