Last-Minute Lessons

Hey, Sunday School senior high girls: Listen up!

This year I’ve been co-teaching the Senior High Girls’ Sunday School class with Sheryl Mathew. As the school year is winding down, I’ve been thinking of things I want to share with these special young women, things that relate to the question, “What is it that makes Jesus really awesome?” So, heads up, everyone: I am now going to share some answers with my Senior High girls … but the rest of y’all can listen in. 

Okay, chicks, what makes Jesus so awesome? Here are some things I have discovered about Him:

1. Jesus will always love you, even though He knows every single thing about you. He knows your entire life history. He knows all your emotions, thoughts (good and bad), and secrets. You probably “know”  this, but do you really understand that in the midst of His knowing all this, He absolutely adores you and wants you to tell Him everything? There’s no need to sugar-coat any prayer language with Him; just talk with Him. Let Him know you as you really are. Look at how Jesus related with the woman at the well in John 4. After she attempted casual conversation with Him (she even tried talking theology with Him!), He gently acknowledged that He knew about her many intimate relationships with men. Her response? She discovered new-found freedom and joy. Why? Because He treated her with love and acceptance in the midst of knowing everything about her! How powerful is this: Jesus knows every single part of you and still loves and accepts you.
2. Jesus will shoot straight with you; He will not ignore where you are messing up, and He will help you deal with it. But He will do this with a strong love for you. Look at the way He does it in John 8. The adulterous woman is being publicly tormented by the religious leaders. Jesus has two kinds of “sinners” on His hands. So how does He deal with them? With the leaders, He takes His time, and then simply asks them an indirect question: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” One by one, the “righteous” leaders walk away, having the wind taken out of their sails. Then, when He is alone with the woman, He says, “Go and leave your life of sin.” Y’all, He doesn’t “yell at her in front of the whole class,” right? He doesn’t shun and shame her, either publicly or in private. But He doesn’t ignore her “stuff.” Jesus will lovingly help you deal with your sin. Don’t be afraid to invite Him to do so.
3. Jesus will show you how to deal with your struggles. He won’t ignore them; He wants you to tell Him all about them. But then He will inform/remind you of other truths, truths that are just as real as your problems. Truth: Everything that happens in your life has meaning and purpose; it works for your good and His glory (Romans 8:28). Truth: even as you are hated for believing in Him, He will always be with you (John 17). Truth: He will give you a way out of our temptations ((1 Cor. 10:13). Truth: He will help  you forgive the guy who hurts you (Matt. 18:15-35). Truth: One day, Jesus is returning, and all your suffering, struggles and pain will turn to indescribable joy! He will make all things NEW (Rev. 21:1-5)!

In closing: Women of the Senior High girls’ Sunday School class, Sheryl and I love y’all so much; GRC loves you so much; Jesus loves you even more. Have a great summer! Class dismissed.