Community Bible Study

This is Teacher Susan with Madelyn. Notice the bandaid on her hand. Save that thought for later.

I was a helper in Madelyn's Community Bible Study class last week. What a blessing Teacher Susan is to those kids!

As each child entered, Teacher Susan took him/her aside handing out a bandaid and asking, "How is Jesus like a bandaid?" Then, she quietly explained as if it was a special secret between the two of them that Jesus heals and protects just like a bandaid. The kids loved putting bandaids on to remind them about Jesus.

Teacher Susan challenged the kids to memorize Psalm 23. Madelyn was so proud to recite it and continues to practice every morning. My momma's heart sighs with joy to think how seriously she takes her pledge to the Bible, I will make it a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. I will hide it's words in my heart so I might not sin against the Lord.

At the beginning of each class, the kids sit in a circle and sing a song about each child by name, singing "Madelyn is my friend." They love it!

While holding American flags, they recite the pledge of allegiance, a song of all the states and "My Country Tis of Thee".

Then, one child is allowed to hold Teacher Susan's Bible while they recite the pledge to the Bible and say The Lord's Prayer. Teacher Susan tells the Bible story, listens to each and every comment and answers all questions with great patience. Moms of young children can learn a lot from a great Christian woman like Susan.

The kids make a craft each week that goes along with the story. Last week, it was a boat made from a sponge ~ Jesus calms the storm.

Teacher Susan dumped everything out of a plastic container so the kids could float their boats in real water. She and her helper, Elle, took another container and made a large "kid-size" boat so the class could act out the story. Elle swished waves over the kids with a blanket and sprayed water on them when the waves were high in the storm. Those passengers were looking for Jesus! Thankfully, one child, playing Jesus, raised a hand over the water and calmed the storm.

Empty everyone out and repeat with a new Jesus. What a wonderful way to learn!

My favorite part of the morning came after the kids returned from playing and singing Bible verses outside. After making sure all the children were comfy on their blankets, Teacher Susan walked around the room praying over each child and annointing them with oil.

Then, quietly, the kids took turns praying for requests on their hearts. When Madelyn's friend, Kylie, asked Teacher Susan to pray for a friend in class, Teacher Susan gently explained how God listens closely to the prayers of little children and asked Kylie if she would like to pray. She did!

One little boy prayed for a puppy that would grow big and strong and not die like his other one (although he did live a lot longer than he was suppose to).

Madelyn prayed for me and it touched my heart. She came right up to me after prayer time and I held her in my lap. May these precious times never end.

You can be blessed by Community Bible Study too: http://www.communitybiblestudy.org/