Of Such Is the Kingdom of Heaven
It was the last day of Calvary Fellowship’s Vacation Bible School, 2008. My class of four-year-old “Gentle Bunnies” listened intently (well, most of them!) as the story time teacher presented a flannel board account of the Good Samaritan.
“The Samaritan stopped to help the man who was hurt and lying by the side of the road,” the teacher said. “He showed kindness.” The teacher then explained how the Samaritan covered the man’s wounds, lifted him onto a donkey, and took him to an inn, where he paid for the man’s lodging. After the story, the children practiced I Thessalonians 5:15 together: “Be kind to each other.” Then the teacher announced, “Now let’s play musical chairs.”
Not musical chairs, I thought. Yesterday’s attempt at the traditional game hadn’t gone well, with one meltdown and a few frustrated preschoolers who didn’t want to be left without a chair when the music stopped.
“Musical chairs with a twist!” the teacher continued. “The twist is that when someone is left without a seat, one of you can show kindness by giving up your spot.” So the music began, and the children skipped and hopped around a row of lined-up chairs. When the music stopped, everyone scrambled for a seat. One little boy was left standing.
“Now, who wants to show kindness?” the teacher asked.
No one moved. Finally, a little girl named Madison stood up. “I will, she said quietly, offering the boy her seat. As the class witnessed the sweetness of that gesture, an unexpected change took place. From that moment, instead of striving to get the last chair, the children wanted to give theirs up. Whenever the music stopped, one child after another joyfully relinquished his or her seat for the classmate left standing.
Was it only a game? I don’t think so. I believe I saw the simple truth “Be kind to each other” actually being planted into the fertile soil of young hearts.
Jesus instructs us to become like children. What a concept! Singling out a small child, he told his disciples: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3–4).
Humbled like a child. What does that mean? When my class of four-year-olds heard God’s Word being taught, they didn’t question it among themselves or argue whether to believe it or not. They received it gladly because their hearts were humble, or teachable.
God’s word can change us whether we are 4 or 104. James 1:22 tells us to “receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” I saw a room full of preschoolers transformed by God’s simple truth. May we all follow their example, allowing God’s words to change us and make us more like Him.