Planning in Pencil

So, obviously, I've been away from the blog for a while, but I haven't been idle. Since my friend Elizabeth tagged me in the writing blog tour God has placed several new tasks and projects in my path. Because of this I've had to be flexible with my "plans".

I've learned many times over the last few years to "plan in pencil" because God may have others. But just because I've been away from the blog doesn't mean I haven't been writing.

A New Project

One of the projects I've had the pleasure to work on is a curriculum for our church called "Investig8 Life with Jesus." The curriculum has been used as part of our "New Believer's" children's classes.

I wrote the first draft we used in a class taught in December of 2013. Since then the workbook has continued to develop and grow. Wesley and I have taught the class at least four times in the last year and assisted another friend teach the material as well. In the last year God has graciously allowed us to share clearly the Gospel, explain basic theology, and explore what following Jesus looks like in our daily lives with more than fifty children between the ages of five and eleven.

The Beginning

Wesley and I had taught "Sunday School" for three years, sticking with the specific group as they were promoted each year. Once they graduated to the youth group we took a break, but were pretty sure we'd work with children again.

In the summer of 2014 we were asked if we once again would be interested in serving the children of our congregation. After considering how we might serve best we felt very interested in leading the "New Believer's Class" for kids interested in getting baptized.

As I looked through the material, I had to honestly tell the Children's Minister that I thought it was very disappointing. I looked for materials from other sources and nothing I came across really struck me as something I would use to disciple my own children. So I asked permission to try and come up with something original.

During the brainstorming, we thought about ways we have purposefully discipled our own children as well as what we would hope to do in the future. I knew that I wanted to clearly present the gospel and challenge their understanding of theology by introducing major themes of Christianity in a way kids could grasp them. I didn't want to shy away from difficult questions--or any questions for that matter. Let them ask!

Why did Jesus have to die to save us from our sins?
What is "sanctification" and how is it different from "salvation"?
What does the word "omnipotent" mean?
Do I have to be baptized? Why is it important?

My heart was for them to understand the Christian life was a process that would continue all their lives.

It also emphasized the idea that even though Christ alone is the one who saves us, we have a responsibility to seek, learn and grow in our knowledge of God. Because I grew up in a denomination that didn't offer any sort of confirmation or foundation of faith class, I was left to put all the (disconnected) Bible stories from Sunday School together and make sense of who God really was and what in the world he wanted with me.

With the belief that we often water down or even neglect important foundations of theology and doctrine, it is my genuine hope that God will use Investig8 to give our children firm roots that will grow deeply into His Truth.

Format

To tie the curriculum into the identity of our congregation I named it Investig8. The "8" is a pattern that had been established before in other ministries in our community: Integr8 (youth), Navig8 (elementary), and Cre8 (preschool/nursery).

After teaching the first class we felt it would be beneficial to separate the classes into Kindergarten through second grade and third grade through fifth grade. We modified the workbooks to suit the different ages as well: Investig8 Junior and Investig8. Although both workbooks are full of colorful pictures and spaces to draw or fill in blanks, these vary depending on the workbook.

The workbook is divided into sections covering different concepts such as sin, separation, reconciliation, spiritual development, the Church, celebrations, worship, living, dying, and Heaven.

Originally, we crammed taught the material in two, two-hour sessions. We also required for at least one parent to be present with their child during the class. This was for many reasons--both practical as well as the belief that it is the parents' responsibility to disciple their children. We attempted to hit the high points in the sessions and encouraged the parents to complete the workbook with their children at home.

A leaders' guide is also in the works so other adults and/or parents can facilitate the material. This includes facilitator notes, answers, activities, and other tips to assist anyone in leading the material. Ultimately, it is my hope to have many other resources built into this so anyone can access it and receive other kinds of support and tips.

Beginning in January we began to use the curriculum for the fifth graders in our church community on a weekly basis for the entire semester. This will allow for deeper conversations and more thorough teaching of the material. We are calling this format our "pilot" program but we believe there will be some amazing things that God will bring out of this class!

But even as all of this looks like it is unfolding, I will still "plan in pencil" and trust that God's plans are ultimately far more incredible than anything I could come up with.

The Most Important Day of Their Lives

Today is Wesley's birthday. And what better gift could he receive than to baptize both of his children.

For years we thought that even if our children wanted to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and surrender to His Kingship over their lives, we would encourage them to hold off on baptism for a while. This was because we wanted to make sure it was 1. a genuine conversion with true understanding, not something just to please others and 2. so they could remember it well and celebrate it as it should be.

Josie actually approached us when she was in second grade and shared with us that she wanted to know Jesus and have all of her sins taken away. She was actually ok with waiting for baptism because she was kind of afraid to go in front of the church and have all that attention.

A few months later Caleb initiated some spiritual conversation with me and the result of that conversation was understanding that sin had made him dead and he needed Jesus to rescue him. However, he was adamant that he be baptized the very next Sunday.

We thought he would "chill out" on the topic, but he was relentless. When Josie saw this, she said it would make her brave to be baptized with her brother. So Wesley and I prayed and talked and felt like they were ready and could be baptized after they took the class required by our church. (Of course, I was thrilled because Wesley and I taught the class!)

We had always told them that baptism was the most important day of their lives--more than birthdays, more than graduation, and even more than marriage. So, it was time to put our money where our mouth was.

Since our church meets in an old theatre, they had to bring in a tub. The water was icy!

The first two minutes of this video shows both kids sharing a brief story of their decision to be baptized.

Downtown // 10:00 // Baptism Videos from Harris Creek on Vimeo.

We bought them both new clothes to wear after the baptism. This was to represent: 

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

Ephesians 4:24, "...put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

We reserved the whole restaurant upstairs, and with help from our family, catered the whole meal. The kids invited a few of their friends, and we invited our family and friends as well. Many of our beloved college students who have watched Josie and Caleb grow up came and participated. 

Each of the kids picked a special song and our friends Lily and Trey sang them.

Wesley and I anointed the kids' foreheads with oil. Although it is not common in our tradition, we adopted this from other, more liturgical traditions. It represents: 

1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

2 Corinthians 1:20-22, "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

Wesley, both of our dads, and our friend Miles prayed a blessing over Caleb.

My mom, my Mother-in-law, our friend Mary Margaret and I prayed over Josie.

 

And we celebrated! 

We also hired a photographer to take professional pictures. (I'm telling you, we wanted our kids to understand that this event is WORTH every penny spent and second of time planning.)

I had to throw this picture in. The are just a few of "my girls". They mean the world to me, have been truly impactful in Josie's life, and beautiful examples of the kind of young woman I hope my son will someday marry.