Guest post by Emily Jennings. Emily is a pastor’s wife, mom to three boys, and teaches kindergarten Sunday School.
The first time I ever carved a fish from a block of Spam was in church.
Yes, it was also the last. Our Bible lesson was about Jonah. Mr. Phil, our fun and faithful Bible teacher, opened several cans of Spam, gave us some plastic knives, and timed us as we tried our best to shave potted meat into a whale. It was slimy, disgusting, and one of my best church memories. It was fun.
In my many years of ministry, I’ve heard more than one church member lament of the kid’s department: “Well, it’s all fun and games over there.” I understand. Some wonder if the gospel is drowning in the rubber chickens, glitter glue, and bouncy houses.
I say, fear not. Fun and games are essential when it comes to teaching God’s Word to boys and girls.
The research says so. You probably knew this. Research compiled by one of the world’s leading toy manufacturers (makers of those fantastic plastic, interlocking blocks of many colors that leave you in agony after stepping on one) affirms that kids learn best through experiences that are fun.1 The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees, as do many others. To ignore how kids learn best at church would be as foolish as ignoring it in academics. First grade teachers teach differently than college professors because kids learn best when fun is involved.
Jesus used different teaching methods. There’s nothing wrong with a bullet point gospel script, but there’s also great wisdom in tailoring your message to the audience. Jesus communicated His message, that He is the Messiah who saves, in ways that uniquely suited His audience. Consider these examples:
- The woman whose daughter had an unclean spirit – Before healing the girl, Jesus sifted the mother’s faith through a parable-riddle.
- The deaf and mute man – Jesus compassionately used hand gestures and prayer to communicate with and heal him.
- The rich young ruler – Jesus gently appealed to this man’s Bible knowledge and gave him an ultimatum.
- The scribes and Pharisees – They were given flat and fierce rebukes (and Jesus called them names for good measure).
- The disciples – At the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus gave them an object lesson, complete with questions and suggestions.
Jesus didn’t teach everyone the same way. Jesus crafted His message for His listeners. Why wouldn’t we do the same for kids?
Fun is a deposit in kids’ future faith. Will your second graders remember that fantastic point you made about repentance in the Bible lesson? They might! Even if they don’t remember all the content of the Bible lesson, they will remember how you made them feel during the Bible lesson. Fun makes kids feel awesome. Thousands of churches serve thousands of kids each week, many of whom do not feel awesome at home, at school, or anywhere else. For some kids, church is the most awesome place in their orbit. If kids feel awesome at church, they will want to be there now and in the years to come.
Why did I never want to miss church as a kid and teenager? Because my teachers made it fun. I came for the fun and stayed for the truth. Decades later, here I am, coming back week after week for glorious gospel of Christ. Who says Spam isn’t good for you?
Being serious about wanting boys and girls to know Jesus means not acting too serious. Make your Bible lesson as fun as possible for kids. Play games. Be silly. Laugh! Give them truth. Truth over time in a delivery curated for the individual is a winning formula for a lifetime of faith.
Is there a risk of too much fun and games? Sure, just as there is a risk of putting too many tithe dollars in one project, too much emphasis on one doctrine, and too many volunteer hours on one layperson. As we practice wise moderation in all areas of church life, it can be practiced here.
One day, a Christian adult will look back and be thankful you made learning the Bible fun. The next time you overhear a dear church member lament the fun and games in kids’ ministry, kindly hand them a can of Spam and say, “We would love for you to join us next week.”
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