More Sunday school...

I'm continually blown away by the girls I teach at Sunday school. They continue to surprise me with their insight and certainty, with the way that they challenge their own preconceptions on a minute by minute basis, their absorption of new information...after speaking to so many people stuck in their ways at the age of 18, after presenting evidence for Jesus to friends at uni and work and experiencing much more resistance to the gospel it is AMAZING to teach these girls.
I think I'm growing too an increasing appreciation for my co-leader Robbo. It's definately more appropriate to call myself his co-leader because his knowledge of scripture, succint delivery of complex theology and questioning skills are incredible. Today he gave a short spiel on leprosy which really gave the girls some insight into Jesus' miraculous nature and I had to make sure I didn't look too surprised at the flood of new information! I love having gun people like that around. I also feel very secure in the knowledge that he is watching what I do each lesson.

Lauren, who was the girl I wanted to do two ways to live with, is sprouting insight like you would not believe. (We DID actually do a two ways to live type thing with the whole group about a month ago now, which went really well) Today we began our lesson on thanking God with a short recap of last weeks lesson, which was on praying when we are in trouble. As part of it we prayed for two christian women in Iran who have been imprisoned for their faith. Lauren's head nearly bounced back "For REAL?" she asked and I assured her it was true. But a few minutes laster it was obviously still on her mind as I asked what we could be thankful for and she answered ' That we can live in a country where we're not persecuted for being Christian" I'd used the word persecution earlier but the rest is entirely her own articulation. Praise praise praise Jesus.

Later on as we were looking over the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers and only one coming back to thank him, I asked the girls if God expected us to thank him. Meryn piped up that God did not EXPECT us to, like he doesn't MAKE us to have faith or live well but he wants us to. That's hitting some serious theology right there, not all bang on the head but enough to understand the nature of a RELATIONSHIP with God. I'm so grateful to God for these girl's, this opportunity for ministry, these lessons and their responses. I hope he brings glory to his name through them.