The 10th Leopard

Renee and I had the rare opportunity to spend an entire week with our 3-year-old and 17-month-old granddaughters.  We engaged in the daily routines of their lives: getting up, eating breakfast, naps, more meals, and of course, a lot of playtime and book reading.  They are a little young for my theology questions, but I enjoy exploring their views of the small world in which they live.

Over the years of teaching theology to college and seminary students, I reminded them that they would most likely spend very little time with children in their ministry except for the few who selected children's ministries.  However, they should make it a point to spend time with kids to get their perspectives on life, Bible stories, love, etc.  Children give us insight into the world, into God.  They still see the world with innocence and imagination.  They have much to teach us about perspective and clarity when we teach Bible stories.  I would tell them the following story that originated from my early years in ministry:

A Bible School Teacher shared the story of Jesus healing ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19.  The young teacher was sharing with passion the story of healing and that only one came back to thank Jesus after being healed.  The children responded with excitement and interest.  As I wal ked by, I thought there was an issue with terms.  I asked the teacher if I could ask a question of the class.  She agreed.  I asked the children if they had ever seen a leper.  They all responded that they had.  I then asked them where they had seen a leper.  All said at the zoo, on T.V., or an animal park.  The teacher was shocked and disappointed that her lesson was not understood.  I suggested that her lesson was understood.  The children thought ten leopards had been sick, and Jesus healed them.  They had no reference for leprosy, its effects on the body, or its cultural stigma.  But they did know that animals get sick, and Jesus can heal them.  Healing was the point, and it was understood.

Please take a moment to learn from a child and the amazing way they invite us to see the world.  They are a gift from God.

Steve Lewis

Pastor of Community Engagement and Discipleship