Student Comments
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:
- 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.
- After being told God was not created, not born, and not made…: “When did God start?” – 8 year old.
- “Can you sin in purgatory?” – 9 year old – Still makes my head spin when I am trying to sleep.
- “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.
- 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.
- 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
- “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.
- “Could I still hit someone in heaven?” – 9 year old
- 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
- 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.