"Chimpanzees and Revelation in Third Grade" by Teresa Miller
Never have I ever…taught Revelation to 3rd graders. When our lesson plans recently took a giant leap from Genesis to Revelation, I was not the only teacher intimidated. There is so much I don’t understand about God and especially about Revelation. I felt unqualified. Imagine how the morning might go: “Hey kids! Today we are going to talk about the end times!” did not seem like a good opener. I planned to play it safe and follow the leader guide to the letter – and then on a whim I asked the kids to make a list of things that they would want in a perfect world. I so wish I had taken a picture of the board. Here is what I remember:
- No more endangered animals
- No pets would die (pets are a beloved topic in 3rd grade…)
- NO COVID! (Said in a loud chorus)
- Everyone would have everything they need
- No one would be lonely
- No one would get sick or hurt (animals would not get hurt either- a long side discussion ensued as to what carnivores might eat in a perfect world…)
- Every kid would have a pet chimpanzee
Okay, so the Bible does not mention chimpanzees by name, but we read the passage together and the kids were exuberant that really everything they hoped for would be in God’s new creation. They imagined, hoped, and believed.
In Revelation 21 and 22, John told of a new heaven and a new earth. He saw the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven. He heard a voice saying that God will live among people, and death and pain will be no more. God, who is the beginning and the end, is making all things new. An angel showed John the river of the water of life and the tree of life with leaves that will heal the nations. Specifically, my favorite verses are in 21:4-5 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Until that Sunday, I had never seen the Bible bookended with creation and renewal. And then I saw it everywhere.
It’s our current sermon series at 2BC.
It’s the theme of a book I read this summer called Reforesting Faith by Matthew Sleeth
It’s a prominent theme of the book of Matthew in my Bible study group this year.
It’s on the radio in the beautiful song “Be Alright” by Evan Craft, Danny Gokey and Redimi2
And it’s the theme of our new children’s curriculum this semester.
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
In our sermon series Emmitt, Jason and Andrea are gently leading us through a journey of renewal: Renewing Service and Sabbath, Life, Connection, Reconciliation and Rhythm. More than once, I have circled back to listen again - to let it soak in, process, and encourage restoration to take root in my soul.
God is creator. Examples big and small are laced through the Bible, in my church community, in the seasons and even every morning – proving that His game plan for you and for me is to create, renew and restore. Always. And the cool part is He invites us to be a part of the process. There is so much I will never understand but so much more He has affirmed that “these words are trustworthy and true.” And so, with the help of my third-grade kiddos: Alec, Zoe, Nora, Jillian and Tate, I imagine without fear, dare to hope, and find the faith to believe again.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of my Salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51: 10, 12