One of my absolute favorite parts of teaching a catechism class to children is having class discussions. Listening to the way children think is both fascinating and quite entertaining. Over the years I have taught children from pre-kindergarten to about fourth grade. Last year I started recording a few of their questions and comments that left me intrigued, shaking my head, or laughing.

I deeply regret not writing their thoughts down sooner, as I know this is just a small fraction of the noteworthy comments I have heard:

1. We started at the Immaculate Conception and made it up to the Annunciation when pure confusion took control of the face of young gentlemen in my class: “So… God created Mary… AND Mary created God…?” – 9 year old – No words will ever do the expression of his face justice, but please know it is a look I will never forget and will always bring me laughter.
2. After being told God was not created, not born, and not made…: “When did God start?” – 8 year old.
3. “Can you sin in purgatory?” – 9 year old – Still makes my head spin when I am trying to sleep.
4. “So did that king that wouldn’t stop taxing us go to hell?” – 9 year old – Not entirely sure how this one was thought of, but I had never actually laughed at a comment while still in front of a student until this moment.
5. While using stickers to make an Easter scene: “Because the Roman soldier was mean to Jesus, I am going to make Peter be hitting him with his hand.” – 7 year old – Comment was immediately supported by the remaining young men in the class as they all agreed to do the same.
6. After understanding that there in fact is only one God and while sitting in front a Tabernacle while I explain how their are Catholic Churches all over the world who also celebrate the Mass: “If God is here (attention directed at the Tabernacle) and the other churches have God, how many gods are there?” – 9 year old
7. “If I fly a helicopter really high could I see Heaven?” – 9 year old – I have heard many variations of this question, but this particular kid was really focused on making sense of the matter and space issues of not visibly seeing Heaven.
8. “Could I still hit someone in heaven?” – 9 year old
9. It was found to be necessary to repeat the next question at least four times in the same number of classes: “If I punch someone one time and they punch me ten times as much is that as big a sin?” He followed this one up with “If someone comes up behind me with a knife and I have a gun and shoot them is that still a sin?” – 9 year old
10. On the third week of classes: “This is the first class I liked!” – 7 year old – He quickly looked remorseful and asked if that was rude to say. The poor kid thought he was in trouble for attempting to give a compliment.

This sample of some of the questions that launched our class discussions have brought a lot of laughter and headaches to my life, but many have sparked my own questions and learning more about my faith.

Come back in a few months for an update. I am sure the list will continue to expand.

J.M.J.