Luke 7:36-50
We talked to the kids about grace tonight, about getting what we don't deserve (or not getting what we do deserve). It was agonizing trying to figure out which verses to share with them and which examples because there are so many!! We started with the one in Luke with the prostitute who washed Jesus' feet with her tears and hair and the grace He extended to her as a result. Then, we gave each youth a verse to look up and had them read their verses individually as we....washed their feet. Yes, we actually washed their feet! This is much easier mind you when they are smaller and their feet are cuter, less smelly, and even kissable, but kissing and washing baby feet does not require grace, does it?! Washing big smelly kid feet does! The kids were taken aback a little at first and some were even hesitant to let us wash them at all, but they eventually did. We even pampered them by bringing in the foyer chairs for them to sit on during the process! Coolest thing was seeing some of the kids then volunteer to wash their friends' feet!
As they read their verses, we discussed what each one meant and then asked for specific examples of ways grace had been given to them and by whom....teachers, friends, parents, siblings. We also talked about people in the Bible that had been shown grace and how. Some of the verses read were 2 Corinthians 9:8, James 4:6, 1 Peter 4:10, Colossians 4:6, Ephesians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 8:9, 1 Corinthians 15:10, and Ephesians 2:7-9. We talked about the grace God poured out on each of us by sending Jesus to die for our sins, the grace He pours out on us each and every day through ordinary situations, the grace we see being displayed in the lives of others (Ms. Billie), and the grace we can show to others. We talked about practical examples the kids can apply to themselves on a daily basis with everyone they come in contact with.
And God is so good because, as He would have it, this Saturday we will get to practice extending grace to complete strangers on the street as we give food to and pray for the homeless in downtown Tampa. We made up bags tonight with food, water bottles, and Scriptures. I love it when we can have the kids practice what we teach them because it's more than sitting and listening to us read them a Bible story or do some science experiment to help them remember a truth.
Then we read Matthew 18:21-35 to the kids, the parable about the unmerciful servant and the lack of grace he displayed to others. We talked about our role in being grace-givers, not just receivers...and the consequences of refusing to extend grace to others.
We finished this evening tossing a softball to each other while we read a story to the kids about a baseball game. It goes like this:
THE LORD'S BASEBALL GAME
Bob was caught up in the spirit where he and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs.
They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails.
The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.
The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass, because Godly Wisdom does not swing at Satan's pitches.
Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly wisdom never swings at Satan's throws.
The Lord looked at Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Bob said he sure did not look like much.
Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried. His center fielder, the Prince of the air, let very few get by. The ball slammed into his glove, hit him on the head, and sent him crashing to the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run.
The Lord's team won.
The Lord then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not know why.
The Lord explained: “If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, faith and wisdom will get you on base, but only My grace can get you home. My grace is the one thing Satan cannot stop.”
Powerful! Amazing Grace! Aren't you glad you're on God's team! He'll get you to home!
