Three weeks ago I was asked if I would be willing to teach Sunday School for the teens.  Well first they asked if I would teach the little ones, but I opted instead to teach the teenagers.  They're way more fun and much more of a challenge.  I just love the snippy sarcastic attitudes and the sullen know it all looks.  Could eat it up with a spoon! 

There was a day, when my kids were little, that I  remember having alot of respect for anyone who would take on the rigors of teenage teaching.  Back then, not too many years removed from them in age, I would have been petrified had I been asked.  Instead I stuck to the little ones.  They were way less scary back then. 

Times have changed.  I've not only raised my own teens but also coached a HS sport for nine years.   Now I jump at the chance to teach a teenage class preferiing them over any other age.  I love to interact with teenagers.  They are so much fun and can be a pain in the neck at the same time! 

Since there seems to be quite a few boys in this class my husband and I decided to team teach.  He says I dragged him into it since I was the one asked, but this time unlike dancing,  I know he's not only up for the challenge, he relishes it. 

This is quite the little Sunday School class, let me tell ya! 

Our first week we only had two boys; brothers and we had a nice little lesson.  We found out that the older boy is waiting for a court date because he has anger issues that results in beating up those who make him angry.  As a result he lost a whole year of school last year.  I was told by the former  Sunday School teacher that R has made great progress and is learning to control himself.  He's 18 now and finishing up his last year of High School trying to behave himself knowing that now, at the age of 18, the charges would be alot more serious if he gets angry and acts out.  I was surprised to hear this because to me he comes across as a gentle giant of a boy, very quiet and shy. 

Well today we walked into a class that was about 12 strong with only three girls.   I went around the room and asked them to tell me their names.   Two of them, D and S had their arms wrapped around each other obviously the love couple in the group.  I don't think they were too interested in being there.  We  asked how many were there because they had to be and most raised their hands, not a smile on their faces.   Great!  This is going to be fun. 

I felt like we just walked into a "Welcome Back Kotter" class.  Remember that 70's show? 

So as we chatted for a few moments we found out a bit about a few of them.  One of them, Bubba, yep Bubba is his name, was very disinterested in the class not even looking at us most of the time.  Another CJ told us a story about how he was incarcerated in a juvie hall for a year and a half.  He said he almost died, lifting up his arm and showing us quite an ugly bright red thick scar on his arm.  Evidently that happened when he went straight thru and shattered bullet proof glass.  Wonderful. 

As we got into the scriptures speaking about how an innocent Jesus had been mocked, ridiculed and beaten without saying hardly a word in his own defence, we asked if they could relate.  The boy with his arms wrapped around the girl raised his head that was resting on his partner's shoulder, attentive for at least that moment, and told about how he was fired for stealing.  He told us he was innocent and not guilty of the charges leveled against him.  He then went back placing his chin on the girl's shoulder.  Well at least he was listening some. 

Ok then. 

We started out asking one of the boys to read.  It was quite evident within just a few seconds that he could barely read.  He didn't seem embarrased at all and would have tried to keep going had we not stopped him for the sake of the class to discuss the first verse he read to us. 

We managed to get some words out of most of the kids coaxing them with direct questions and calling on a few that we knew when nobody spoke up.   I believe everyone but Bubba and one girl had at least a little to say.  Baby steps.  Overall tho, surprisingly the girls said basically nothing.  They had that typical sullen sulky look on their faces as if the weight of the world was on their shoulders.   I think the girls are alot tougher than the boys. 

Now that we know what we're up against, we, the teachers, are going to stategize arming ourselves with teen busting tools of the trade for the next lesson.   We will be victorious and will see smiles on all their faces before too long! 

To God be the glory!