And this is how the good news is spread

Mallory is special. I wish you could all know her.
For those of you who do, this story will not come as a surprise to you.

A few months ago Mallory decided that she wanted to start a club with her friends at school, a God Club. The idea of her club would be that during recess they would find a place to sit and talk about God and the Bible. Mal's idea. (Seriously, I never would have suggested asking first grade girls to give up their only free time of the day to sit and listen even more.) At first, several girls were eager to be a part of this club. Instead of all of them talking about God, though, the other girls would ask Mallory questions and she would answer. She always had a story from the Bible picked out to tell them as well.

(Keep in mind that I didn't know about any of this until after this club had met several times)

In time, the other girls grew bored and decided to go back to playing on the playground. With no other members in the club, Mallory decided to join them. They have since been playing "puppies" during recess. Whatever that is.

Then, before school this morning, Mallory told me that a girl from her class had asked her a question about the Bible. This particular girl, we'll call K, was not a member of the original group. So, either she had heard about the God Club where Mallory answers Bible questions or she just knew that Mallory is the friend to ask when you have a question.

K sought Mallory out.

K saw a picture in her Bible of Paul being bitten by a snake. She had never heard that story and wanted to know it. (My first thought when Mallory told me this was that Mal doesn't know that particular story herself.) Wrong. Without hesitation Mallory told K the whole story of Paul being shipwrecked, the snake coming out of the fire, and the people thinking he was a god.
You can read it yourself here

I listened to Mallory repeat in detail the story she told to K. I couldn't believe how easily and with such confidence she told it. To be honest, I didn't even remember all that she had said and I was pretty sure that we have never studied Acts 28 with her. So, I asked her how she knew all that. Mallory said that she had heard the story at church during the children's class. I knew that she loved going to this class, but now I also know that she really pays attention.

Then, Mallory said something that I'll probably never forget.

"You know, if I hadn't have gone to church to hear that story, then I wouldn't have been able to answer K's question."

She's only 7, but already so wise. A man at church prepared a lesson to teach to the children. One child listened well and told the same story to another child. Who knows where this chain of events will lead. My best guess? Heaven.

If we want to be able to teach others the word of God, then we must be prepared. How can we teach what we don't know?

"...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." I Peter 3:15

Mallory prepared herself by first showing others a willingness and ability to share God. She made it known that she wants to talk about the Bible. She did not grow weary when others chose to play instead. She prepared herself by paying attention when someone else was sharing with her. Then, she patiently waited for someone to ask.

"...'I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:15

Mallory and friends