This past Sunday, I was telling the story to my 3 year old Sunday School class of when David brought the Ark of the Covenant on a wagon to Jerusalem. I explained that God had told them NOT to touch the Ark. I went on to explain that the road was very bumpy and when the Ark started to fall, a man reached out to steady it, and was struck dead.
All of my little students seemed utterly confused as to why God would kill someone just because he was trying to keep something from falling. I went on to explain that God could take care of His Ark even if it was falling, and that this man died as a consquence for disobeying God.
Megan M. stood up and ernestly asked, "Miss Tami, is that wagon full of consequences?! Or are the consquences underneath the wagon?!" Realizing that I had used a word they didn't understand, I asked, "What happens if you disobey Daddy and Mommy?" A chorus of "Time outs!" and "Spankings!" errupted. I said, "That's right. 'Consequence' is a fancy word for 'Time outs' and 'spankings'. This man disobeyed God, and this was God's way of giving a 'time out' or a 'spaking'". The other two teachers could tell I was struggling and went on to explain that a better explanation may be "If your Mom tells you not to play in the street, but you get hit by a car, that would be a consequence".
All of my little students seemed utterly confused as to why God would kill someone just because he was trying to keep something from falling. I went on to explain that God could take care of His Ark even if it was falling, and that this man died as a consquence for disobeying God.
Megan M. stood up and ernestly asked, "Miss Tami, is that wagon full of consequences?! Or are the consquences underneath the wagon?!" Realizing that I had used a word they didn't understand, I asked, "What happens if you disobey Daddy and Mommy?" A chorus of "Time outs!" and "Spankings!" errupted. I said, "That's right. 'Consequence' is a fancy word for 'Time outs' and 'spankings'. This man disobeyed God, and this was God's way of giving a 'time out' or a 'spaking'". The other two teachers could tell I was struggling and went on to explain that a better explanation may be "If your Mom tells you not to play in the street, but you get hit by a car, that would be a consequence".
When I was finished with the lesson, I asked,
"So what happens when we disobey God?"
to which the class replied,
"He gives us time-outs and spankings!!!"
___________________________
A little later in class, the kids were working on their craft and I was helping one of the students with theirs. I overheard Megan say to Dolan, "Yes!!! I'll marry you, Dolan!!!" He had a look of delightful confusion on face. I started laughing and asked her, "Megan, did you just say you'll marry Dolan? Megan, you are sooo funny!" Giggling, she replied, "I mean when we grow up, Miss Tami! Not now! YOU'RE the silly one!!!"
Sorry...my mistake. :)
6 comments:
so cute! I love listening in to kids' conversations. They always say the funniest things. I am sure it is very entertaining being in that 3 year old Sunday school room.
Great analogy! I actually like that better than the getting hit by a car scenario! :-)
Tami! I love it....I taught 3 year olds WAY back when Jill, Andy K., Angie Ifft, etc. were in class. You learn so much from them and you learn A LOT about their families. Kind of fun...could do some blackmailing with that info!!!
Really though that was a great explanation...we could all use "time-outs" and "spankings"!
Love you!
Marcia B.
Tami - great stories!! Those kids are quite something aren't they?!
By the way, I still laugh randomly when I think of your M for Mary, C for Cary post!
You're a funny girl!! :) Love you!
That is too funny! I thought it was a good analogy! :)
Blackmailing is a bad, bad idea :-)
I love how you explained consequences to them - great job!
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