By Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan
“Could you lead the science unit for Vacation Bible School again this year?” our children’s minister asked me. “Sure,” I said, “I enjoyed doing that last year. I’d be happy to give it another go.”
Leaders of science and faith have often conflicted, as we know from ancient and contemporary events. A literal reading of the Bible has led to the persecution of scientists who had fewer literal ideas and discoveries. We look back astonished at how the church stubbornly refused new insights, not because they were not true, but because they did not match the prevailing theology based on their interpretations of Scripture.
So, here I am, an English major with a Doctor of Ministry, teaching science. I am out of my wheelhouse. But, I was asked kindly, I like science, and I would like to model a positive approach of a Christian leader to scientific truths. If they are true scientifically, they must be true theologically.
The curriculum was from a Christian publisher and although the science experiments were fun (my children’s minister said they have the “wow factor”), the lessons were extremely weak in making a connection to the day’s Bible story. For example, for the Coke and Mentos experiment, you drop the candies in a bottle of Coke and get a 10-foot explosion. Wow! The story of the day was Zaccheus climbing a tree to see Jesus. The curriculum gave one line about trees being tall and Coke goes high.
What?
However, making a connection between the Bible and daily life is in my wheelhouse, so I had fun doing that. Therefore, I asked, “If you heard that a boy named Johnny had gotten in trouble, what would that mean for Johnny?” A child answered, “It means Johnny got caught doing something bad and will be punished.” “But,” I asked, “is trouble always bad? Can there be good trouble?” Then we went outside to see how Mentos candies “trouble” Coke. A few Mentos in a 20 oz bottle made the soda spew up a few inches. Putting a whole pack into a 2-liter bottle was much more impressive!
Then I connected the dots. Jesus caused trouble when he invited himself to Zaccheus’ house for a meal. It was a good trouble, though, as love often is. If you love the outsiders, the insiders will get upset. The religious leaders blew up. Later, the political leaders blew up. Jesus had a short life because these leaders didn’t want him stirring up more trouble.
I had not thought about any of that before this lesson. Spending a week teaching a subject outside of my comfort zone was enriching to me and was enlightening to the children.
It is good to know your strengths and to go with them. But I’ve discovered that sometimes it is good to try something new, something you find to be challenging. You may be surprised how God shows up for you there.
These thoughts are from Rev. Dr. Rick Jordan, our partner based out of Lewisville, North Carolina. He is a 20+-year member of Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC where he leads an adult Bible study, serves as a deacon and on the Vision Navigation Team. He has also ministered in various leadership roles from local churches to state and national levels. Contact him for more information on how our partner can help you.