Years ago, I taught Children’s Church. Wanting to instill in the children a sense of belonging and purpose in Jesus, I made a flat marionette-like Grover (blue, fuzzy, skinny arms and legs, huge eyes.) Everyone knew this Sesame Street character. He was assembled with brads, so the main joints moved.
He illustrated the Body of Christ in the earth. We discussed the importance of each part and how they moved together – with themes like cooperation, love, and unity. Grover was the worldwide Body with the parts – the foot created with twenty-six bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles, like each separate church. We looked at the foot’s role in helping us walk, balance, and jump. All the parts move together but with one specific function. I reminded them that, like Grover’s skinny arms and legs, we are weak and imperfect but, with God’s help, we can make a difference for Jesus.
Enough physiology. My points for the children were: you are important, belong, and offer something unique that your church needs. God‘s plan is for you to use what he has given you, inside and outside the church.
I don’t know if the children remember this lesson. I know I do (your Pastor is sincere when he says, “I’m preaching to myself.”) When there is a need, I want to be a part of the Body of Christ’s forward move to achieve God’s Master Plan. This Grover picture – although the analogy is a stretch – stays with me and, I hope, will be a reminder to you.
“From Him the whole body [in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.” (Amplified, Ephesians 4: 16)
~ Nan Robertson
Christ Fellowship