The Word Became Flesh

I have finally found a resource for Monday Night Bible Study that seems particularly effective for my girls--regardless of their backgrounds. I have been familiar with Rob Bell's Nooma videos for a few years now, but it just occurred to me to see how that format might work with the girls at the home. So far, they have been a great way to launch some deep discussions. (As a Calvinist I must say that I know it is God's perfect timing. I have been praying for a good resource for a year.)

Last week we started with Name about accepting our identities/stories--warts and all. It led to an interesting discussion about whether or not they believed God could redeem and use their stories of difficult childhoods. Some thought yes. My most disturbed girl, J, made it clear through angry tears that she did not.

Tonight we watched and discussed one of my favorites in the series, Rain. The message is about where God is when we cry out in fear and desperation. The girls really identified with two verses in particular:
"Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you." Psalm 34:17 (The Message)
"I am caught in a maze and I cannot find my way out, blinded by tears of pain and frustration." Psalm 88:8 (The Message)

We talked about the faith required to believe that even when we don't understand, God is trustworthy--and more than capable of carrying us through the storms of life.

I felt great about how the conversation was going, encouraged that God was really doing something in their hearts. Then, something interesting happened. S interrupted me and asked, "Have you heard about the new girl, D? She really loves God and talks about Him all the time. She even reads her Bible every night."
"Yea," J added, "She gives really great advice. She even told me that God had a plan for my life--and that all the things I was so insecure about were a part of who I am and how He made me."

I bit my tongue as they continued to rattle off all the great truths D. has been teaching them (thankfully they were theologically sound). These are the same things I have been saying to those girls week after week. Yet, suddenly, coming from the mouth of a 17 year old peer, they carried more weight.

And I was reminded that this is why Jesus had to come. The Word had to be made flesh. It had to be in a package that had credibility with its audience.

I was also challenged to pray hard, even now, for the people who will one day have this influence in my children's lives. We cannot take for granted the power people have when they have access to our ear and ultimately our hearts. I am again thankful for youth ministers and volunteers who faithfully serve as healthy inputs of truth in searching kids' lives.

I am also prayerful tonight about peers in my own life that I may be earning this type of credibility with. I may be a washed up, boring housewife to these girls--20 years their senior and out of touch--but who else is God also putting in my path that can identify with me?

Finally, I am thinking I definitely need to get to know D. She has a conflict with our Monday Night group...but if she is having this much influence in the lives around her, I am curious about who is investing in hers.

I am not discouraged, but rather greatly encouraged. God is at work. As usual, it is on many levels. This 'teacher' is learning as much (if not more) than those she was sent to teach.