Afternoons with
mr. richie

by Katie Greenwood, editor of children's
curriculum, Randall House Publications. Email katie@randallhouse.com for more information on CLEAR Curriculum for children.

As his daddy turns onto Mosley Street, Warren cranes his neck to see over the headrest on the seat in front of him.

“Is this Mr. Richie’s house, Daddy?” 

“Yes, Warren, that’s it right over there,” replies his dad.  Before his dad can point in the right direction, Warren quickly adds, “Will we see Mr. Richie’s special friends, too, Daddy?”

“Yes, son,” his father replied.  “We will see his friends too.”

Each month Warren and his daddy visit the assisted living facility where Mr. Richie has lived since his car accident several years before Warren was born. They met Mr. Richie at church, where he often challenges children to get serious about living for the Lord. Choosing to give God glory in spite of his physical difficulties, Mr. Richie actively looks for opportunities to minister to others and has created several vibrant ministries to the children and families of the church.

As daddy and son enter the building, Warren’s face lights up in anticipation of the fun he will have. Daddy greets some nurses at the desk while Warren turns the corner and bolts down the long corridor, eager to travel its distance to Mr. Richie’s room.  It isn’t long before Warren and his daddy spot Mr. Richie, and Warren leaps ahead to wrap his three-year old arms around the neck of his wheel chair-bound buddy. 

Before Daddy can catch the twosome, Warren wanders over to visit with Ms. Virginia and Ms. Dottie.  After visiting with them for a few minutes he smiles at a few more friends, and makes his way to the corner of the room where Ms. Alice sits.  The routine is familiar to Warren because he has been making these visits since he was two years old.

As Warren’s daddy fastens the strap on his car seat, Warren bursts into a stream of chatter that lasts half the drive home. “Are we going back to our house now, Daddy? Are we gonna see Mr. Richie at church, Daddy?  Ms. Alice gave me some candy. Is it time to go to bed when we get home, daddy?”  On and on it goes as this little boy processes his visit with Mr. Richie. 

Later, as the family gathers for stories and bedtime prayers, Warren asks his dad to read his favorite book for the third time. 

“Can we read it again, Daddy?”

“I think we should use the rest of time talking to Jesus, buddy,” replies his Daddy. “What would you like to pray about tonight?”

“I want to pray for Isaac, Seth, Nathan, and Reid.  I want to pray for my wagon. Can we pray for Mr. Richie, too?” 

“We sure can, son. You start us off.”

“ Dear Jesus…”

Warren may be too young to recognize the biblical truths being applied by his teacher and parents, but he is not too young to be transformed by those truths.  It’s not enough that he goes to Sunday school every week where a teacher prepares a good lesson.  It’s not enough that he gets opportunities to be a doer of the Word.  What makes the difference for Warren is that his parents made the choice to accept responsibility for Warren’s spiritual growth as we are instructed in Deuteronomy 6:4-8.

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, is one LORD: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.”   

This is a story of how one family chose to respond to these verses.  What will your family’s response be?  Need a few creative suggestions?

• Create conversations with your child about what he or she is learning in Sunday school.

• Plan monthly opportunities for your family to reach out and serve the unreached or needy.

• Begin early to teach difficult concepts such as stewardship and humility to your children.

• Affirm your children when they live out biblical truths and principles (for example: I noticed that you used kind words when you played with Brad.  Thank you for being kind and loving like the Bible tells us to do.)

• Participate, as a family, in the ministries of your local church.  Look for ways to create new opportunities for children to become involved in serving.

• If you are not enrolled in the Sunday School program of your church, don’t wait another minute! Sign up today!

The CLEAR Learning System and all of its components are just tools in the life-long process of learning and implementing biblical truth. We should never focus on the tool, but on the product—a changed life. 

How is God’s Word impacting your life through Sunday School?  Email your story to editor@randallhouse.com.

Katie Greenwood is the children’s curriculum editor for Randall House Publications. She attends Donelson Fellowship FWB Church where she plays an active role in the church’s ministry to children.