In Kate DiCamillo’s book Because of Winn Dixie, the main character, a ten-year-old girl named Opal, asks her dad for a list of ten things about her mother (who left the family when Opal was only a baby). Later in the story, Opal provides her own list of ten things to describe her dog, after “Winn Dixie” runs away in a storm.
I’m not sure why this part of the story stood out to me when asked to write a follow up article about Good News Club — maybe it’s the librarian in me. But this plot prompted me to think of ten things I’ve learned since starting a Good News Club. Maybe it will convince you to start one, too.
In case you are unfamiliar, Good News Club is an afterschool group activity designed to be conducted in public schools around the country (and the world). Organized by Child Evangelism Fellowship, the program allows Christians to share the gospel with elementary students in any public school offering other after school opportunities. Students sing songs, memorize Bible verses, and hear the good news in six weekly lessons. While it may help to have an education background, most Good News Club volunteers are simply Christians with a burden to share the gospel with children.
With that brief description, here are the ten things Good News Club has taught me.
1. I’ve seen firsthand how it looks to have “CHILD-LIKE FAITH.”
Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 18 that unless they became like children, they would never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I have been amazed to see the simple faith of children. Often, as soon as children in Good News Club understand the gospel, they are ready to accept Christ and the “clean heart” He offers. To them, it just seems like common sense. The burdens of life have not hardened them. As my mom likes to say, “Their little hearts are still squishy.” Why would we not want to spare people from the sadness that comes from a sinful life away from our loving God?
2. Children LOVE to learn about God.
We have tried every idea under the sun to make the “invitation” time of Good News Club more efficient. No matter what we try, inevitably several kids raise their hand, get in line, and wait to tell me, “I just love learning about God!” While I think the Good News Club lessons are age appropriate, engaging, and fun, most of the time is spent listening to me talk. No games, no gimmicks. Kids really do sign up and attend because they love learning about their heavenly Father who adores them. When did we decide we needed to entertain instead of teach?
3. Kids who have never been to church are becoming the MAJORITY.
I live and teach in rural South Carolina, in a teeny-tiny town with over 15 churches. Yet, out of the ninety students who attend Good News Club each week, half do not list a home church on their permission slip. Of the rest, only half attend church consistently. Do we blame their parents for not taking them to church, or do we simply bridge the gap? The answer seems obvious to me.
4. Kids can LISTEN and act like a total nut at the same time.
You know who will listen to every word you say, be able to answer every question, and respond to the invitation with sincerity? The same kid who stayed turned around in his or her seat the entire lesson, who blew drink-pouch straws at his friends, and eventually had to sit between two adults. Children always listen, even when we think they don’t. Now that I think about it, adults do the same thing.
5. It is better to DO LESS, LONGER, than to do more and burn out.
Our first year with Good News Club, the teaching goal was six weeks of lessons repeated four times. It didn’t take long to realize we could not sustain that number without burning out. Instead, we settled on two sets of lessons, one for each semester. It is the perfect sustainable model for us.
6. LEARN from mistakes.
Hot Cheetos™ might be a fan favorite, but they require more than one Capri Sun pouch to “cool the burning.” Mistake!
7. The enemy HATES Good News Club!
I fight my sinful flesh every week. It never fails. The kiddos in my classes display their worst behavior on Wednesdays. The air in the library malfunctions, student devices need repairing, and half the helpers get sick. On top of that, my flesh reminds me I’m tired, my Bible lessons don’t make sense, and I really want to go home and drink afternoon coffee in my comfy chair. I have come to recognize these persistent, subtle attacks from the enemy.
8. Prayer doesn’t just change “things.” Prayer changes ME.
Number seven doesn’t go away the more I pray. Instead, the Lord gives me perspective, patience, and humility to recognize and endure Satan’s attacks.
9. Leading a Good News Club doesn’t SATISFY...
...or provide an “I’ve-checked-my-Christian-duty-box” feeling. No, it makes you want to do more. This year, our club has us asking, “How can we disciple these new Christians more? How can we engage their families and get them into a church?” Does anyone have good ideas? Email me. Please!
10. EVERY public school needs a Good News Club.
What if the revival we so desperately crave and need in our country started with elementary school students? Doesn’t that seem like the exact kind of thing our God would do?
In Because of Winn Dixie, a character named Litmus W. Block returns from war to find everything he loved gone. After a good cry, he decided he wanted a good piece of candy. The experience inspired him to start a candy company. When the librarian in the book shared this story with Opal, she explained, “He figured the world was a sorry affair and that it had enough ugly things in it and what he was going to do was concentrate on putting something sweet in it.”
We can continue to complain about our culture, country, and schools, or we can make up our minds to put something sweet in it. Are you interested in becoming involved with Good News Club? Want to know more? Visit cefonline.com/ministries/goodnewsclub/ or send me an email. I would love to chat!
About the Writer: Hannah Matthews has been a public-school educator for ten years, five in the elementary school library. She and her husband, Brent, have one (very) spoiled dog named Opie. Contact Hannah anytime with Good News Club questions at thereadingteacher7@gmail.com.
