One of the rites of passage in our church is Mrs. Goodfellow’s children’s Sunday school class.  For generations, she has taught her little munchkins about the Bible.  She is a true expert in helping children really understand God’s holy word.  She is one of the true treasures of our church. 

The culmination of Mrs. Goodfellow’s class is an epic showdown between the children and the pastors to see who knows more about the Bible.  It is a contest like no other.

I can remember two years ago when I was ready to take on the children.

I walked into the church parlor, which was set up like the set of a game show.  Many adults were there to cheer on the children.  I was outnumbered and outgunned but I knew I would be victorious.  Then, I saw Mrs. Goodfellow.

This saintly grandmother looked at me with blood shot eyes.  She was frothing at the mouth.  At first I thought she had either been drinking or had rabies.  Then she spoke.

With an eerie voice she said, “You are going down.”  That was the moment I knew her head was going to spin completely around and I would have to call one of the associate pastors to help me perform an exorcism.  Then the contest began.

Very quickly, I realized the deck was stacked against me and even my superior intellect was in trouble because I didn’t know how many words were in the New Testament or what Mrs. Goodfellow’s favorite book of the Bible was.  The children had me in their sights and I didn’t stand a chance.  They were merciless.  It was an ugly scene.  

Once I stopped crying and the children received their trophies, I said, “There’s always next year.”  Then came the pandemic.

While we did not have the clash of the titans last year, it has now been scheduled.  We are back on track.  

This year, the knockdown drag out test of knowledge will happen on January 23, 2022.  No mercy will be shown by either side. One will clearly be the winner.  It will be me.

Yesterday, I went to Mrs. Goodfellow’s Sunday school class to make sure all the children knew they would be going down in flames.  They disagreed.  The children and I talked smack and then I left to teach my Sunday school class.  It was a lot of fun.

Needless to say, Mrs. Goodfellow’s approach to making sure the children want to learn the Bible is pure genius.  They are like little sponges motivated to outdo their pastors.  I could be in real trouble.

The point to this meandering devotional is if we can teach our children to love the Bible, they will have a solid foundation that will give them guidance, strength, and peace as they deal with the hard trials of life.  It is the best gift our church can give them.

The wisest of all people said, “Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.”  (Proverbs 22:6)  That’s what Mrs. Goodfellow is doing.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, thank you for your holy word that inspires, guides, and frees us to be the people you created us to be.  Help us teach our little ones your sacred words.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

On January 23, the earth will shake and lightning will fill the sky, as the epic test of knowledge begins.  Even though I will have to deal with a possessed Sunday school teacher and talk smack to children, it will be worth every second it if they learn the Bible.  I am looking forward to it.

If you are not currently reading your Bible on a regular basis, please start.  It will make your life much better.  I promise.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins