“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” – Pablo Picasso”
Outreach and personal evangelism become a challenge for many Christians. Deep in our hearts, we want to be obedient to the Great Commission and make disciples, but our efforts to reach the lost, the strayed, or the stolen (by the world) reveal some degree of timidity. So here is a quick lesson I learned from a bright, kindergarten student this past Sunday.
The lesson I am referring to happened in that short span of time between Sunday School and church. I’m on my way to the Ministers’ Office to get my pulpit robe. I’m only about two feet from the office and I am stopped by this very articulate little angel. She was on her way to the sanctuary after coming from her class.
She proceeds to tell me a story that gained my absolute attention. At her age, she had surely not taken a seminar on communication, but she had everything working as she told me the story. She varied her speed. Her pitch and tone changed as she told the story; shifting to place an emphasis on parts of the story. She used both arms as well as her open hands to emphatically emphasize important parts of the story. Her facial expressions changed in a way that her communication was contagious. Her non-verbal kinesics was as if she had passed a college, upper class level communication course with flying colors.
Now, her story was about a video game where the child inserts themselves in to the video as a character. I didn’t get that at first. I was too intrigued about the lady that robbed a bank, stole her money, denied it, proceeded to go upstairs, and went on about her business. I listened carefully as she explained how she went upstairs to search for the money. She involves me, checks for listening, and asks, “What do you think happened?” I answered, “I don’t know, tell me.” People are politely passing us in the hallway, but I tell you the truth, I was paying strict attention to the kindergartner’s story. Soon I hear her grandmother’s voice, “Cut it short now.” The little, master storyteller obeys, but you could tell that she had more to stay.
The lesson: Shouldn’t we have the same type of excitement when we explain our true story of how we were once lost, but are no saved; how we were blind, but now we see? Shouldn’t we get rid of those weak witnessing techniques that seem like we are just going through the motion or following a script we have been taught and reiterate in a monotone dialogue? Shouldn’t we make salvation sound real? For it is real when you come to know Jesus as your Savior!
Oh, what if our witnessing mimicked or mirrored how the kindergartner told her story? I for one think we would gain our listener’s attention and consequently the latter would want to know, “What must I do to be saved?” Take something from this lesson my friend! And a child shall teach us? Yes! She just did! Be blessed!
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything that I have told you. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:18-20 International Children’s Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King