Our stories of faith

This Sunday (1/18) in Church School:

Pre-K to 4th Grade: Jesus calling the Disciples (Luke 5:1-11, 8:1-3 Children's Bible Story # 253) 

5th Grade: Jesus' Homecoming (and quick departure) (Luke 4: 1-13) CBS #258)

6-8th Grade: Ten commandments (Exodus 20: 2-17)

Reflection:

I was once affiliated with a church who had the practice of testimony. About once a season, there would be a Sunday, when the preacher prepared no sermon, and instead the pulpit was opened to several church members to share a part of their journey of faith. What struck me about such Sundays was how moving these personal reflections were. People shared personal stories of how they had been nurtured by grandparents, parents and family members that had mentored them in faith. We heard stories that sounded like the prodigal son, who had lost but been found. We heard stories of people who came to the church with questions and stayed in the church to question still. And even in this very intellectual church, we heard stories of miracles.

What struck me about each of these stories was both how compelling and how surprising they could be. Someone would come to speak and you couldn't help but be moved. Each story gave you a new vision of that person and a glimpse into their life and their mysterious walk of faith.

This week in church school in the younger classes, the children were learning some of the famous stories of Jesus calling the disciples. Simon, James and John, after a full night's work haven't caught anything. Jesus tells them to move out into the deep water, and let out their nets. Their nets are suddenly filled so full that they are afraid their boat may sink! In the face of this miracle, the disciples are afraid, and Jesus calls to them saying "From now on, you will be fishing for people." And then we hear the dramatic line that the men pulled the boat up to the shore, left everything, and followed him.

This lesson also includes a less famous reading about other disciples of Jesus, and in each of these readings we get hints at their own dramatic stories of their decision to follow Jesus. 

If you were going to tell a story of your journey of faith, how would it begin? What are the things that make it personal now? What would it be like to share with your children or your students? What stories could we tell, that would give children a glimpse into our own journey of faith?