First Fruits Gathering | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: First Fruits Gathering | Previous Challenge Entry
By Debra Brand
11/25/19
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“Come on, it’ll be fun,” she said.

“But I don’t know how to teach, let alone for young adults!” My mind whirled with the memories of youth group and their harrowing noisy antics that threatened to bring down the building.

My pastor’s wife said, “You raised two kids. I’m sure you’ll be fine. Besides, we have no one else.”

So, I jumped in.

Teaching is an art. You need charisma, which I never recognized in myself. I had to learn how to reach these new adults and prepare them for their future. Did you know that they will make most of their life choices by the time they are thirty? Wow!

I realized that as I taught, I learned, too. There aren’t many good resources for young adults so my creative juices were needed to keep their attention. We treasure hunted souls and pondered life. I had one sorrow when one of my former students committed suicide due to drugs and a disturbed mind. It’s very painful when his birthday reminder pops up on Facebook.

I know I learned from them. Never leave them alone in my office (where we had class). Their favorite prank was hiding behind my door or under my desk then jumping out to scare me.

One by one they went away and left me for wives (I had only boys) until there was one. We moved him to adult class.

So, I could retire from teaching. Nope.

She said, “I need you in the K-3rd room.” And with that said, she confirmed the prompting of the Spirit on my heart.

I discovered my true calling with those little ones. With every Bible story, we acted out the characters and scenarios. I made a pillar of fire and smoke, built the holy mountain and the Ten Commandments; we slew Goliath, and crossed the Red Sea. We also studied the universe with homemade planets hanging from the ceiling.

I blew their minds one day when I introduced those technology minded first graders to the flannel graph. They had to touch!

Oh the fun we had…until the 4th & 5th grade teacher moved up to the teens.

So, for the last four years, I’ve been teaching the Uppers. I’ve had all of the children that I started with in K-3rd and this last August they moved out of my influence to the Teen Room.

I cried. The boys were sad. Our lessons had included the power of the Holy Spirit. The classroom became the battlefield with ‘SWISH’, ‘PLOP’ and ‘KAPOW’. Tearing down Jericho’s walls with homemade swords, shields and helmets was their favorite activity besides learning about the strength of faith and the battles of the Lord.

Of course, I videotaped the action in slow-motion as they swung those swords with all their might. It’s my favorite video.

As they left my classroom for the last time, they asked if they could take their armor home. I was blessed.

Here I am now, still teaching Uppers. The change is that I have new children that I have never taught before and they are all girls!

The room has morphed into farmhouse style. Gone are the super heroes. The crafts are girly. We play sissy games. Our talks are confessing each other’s secrets, desires, and hopes.

When classes end, my former students stop in for a piece of candy or to admire the changes in the room. Sometimes we pass in the halls and they pretend not to see me. Then, spinning on their heels, they run back for a quick hard hug. I’m blessed again.

I’m still learning even though the Word is the same. I understand more and share with these fresh minds what I have gleaned. The role is natural now. I can command fifteen or teach just one. Either way I am fulfilled.

The Lord’s unexpected calls to serve are the most rewarding.

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