High Schoolers After My Own Heart

The moment I have subconsciously been waiting for my entire ministerial life has finally happened! Last night was the first night (since school started) of our Wednesday night Bible study. Background- this year I am leading junior and senior girls. I have been with them since they were freshman. *tear* they are all grown up and driving now. My Wednesday nights with these girls are something I look forward to every week. I have grown to love them so much. We meet from 7:30-8:30...

At 8:32, one of my students speaks up in an urgent tone, "I have a question... in Literature1 class, we were talking about the puritans, and John Calvin, and predestination, and freewill, and- I'm so confused, and my teacher seems to be too. I don't think he understands it, so I didn't think I could ask him more about it... am I going to hell?2 can you explain all this to me? It sounds like there is nothing I can do about going to hell..."

Before she even finishes explaining this perplexity, 3 other students chime in with "me too"s and "do Catholics believe that?" and "what do Presbyterians believe?", "what about Episcopalians?" "And Lutherans?" "And Baptists?"

My soul perked up as if the Commander had just walked in the room. The girls were so eager to discuss and learn about one of the most life-changing topics! Anyone who knows me can attest to the open invite I have for this conversation, though I do not initiate it, I am always ready and set to discus Theology. My heart at attention, after assuring the girls that this particular subject does not effect one's salvation, I asked the girls if this is what they would like to discuss for the next couple of weeks. "Aye"s all around! My girls are looking forward to next week almost as much as I am!

Then, sings my sooooooooul, my Saviour, God to Thee- How great Thou art...

endnotes:

1 Literature class?! Random.

2 I kid you not, she did ask this.