Satan, Sin, and Second Grade

I feel like we went to seminary in 2nd grade today! The kids were asking so many good questions during Bible time. We covered lots of theology on Satan and on sin (out of a lesson on the 10 commandments). I got questions like “Does Satan make us sin?” (one girl was adamant at first that he does) “Why does Satan tempt us?” “Why did God make Satan?” "Why did God cast Satan out of heaven?" “How much power does Satan and his followers have?” "Is Satan in hell now?"

We got into everything from the human sinful nature to zombies (seriously). I’m so grateful for days like this when I know the kids are really engaged and care about what we’re talking about, and I get to share truth and share the Gospel (again) to a captive audience. Some students even helped answer questions by bringing up stories (Job, Satan tempting Jesus) that we had talked about earlier this year.  Proud teacher moment!

My students by no means come into Bible class with a blank slate either. In a culture consumed by voodoo, they’ve heard or been told many things about the spirit world in their short little lives. And not just the elusive, invisible spirit world, but voodoo ideologies run through everything here, every part of life.  These kids know a thing or two about Satan, demons, and idols. Unlike for many Americans, spiritual warfare is real and relevant. Demon possession? They know a few cases. A house where people go to worship a babydoll? Right down the street. Stories about things like zombies roaming the streets, strange spiritual creatures that come out at night, and people getting turned into animals? They hear them all the time.

But I get to be a consistent voice of truth in their lives. I get to dispel falsehoods and bring Light into the darkness.  Some days it feels like it goes in one ear and out the other with some of them, but then some days are like today… when after another discussion about dying and heaven, I get to hear the kid whose family is well involved in voodoo yell out “I believe in Jesus!”

Here a a few pictures of some writing the kids did a while back after a Fruit of the Spirit lesson on patience:

And one of my favorites...

:)