There’s no doubt that you can learn without being fascinated—say it repeatedly or listen to someone talk, talk, talk. But, it is GUARANTEED, yes guaranteed, that you’ll learn something when you’re fascinated. These are the “Oh my goodness” moments. “I didn’t know that.” “I’ve never seen that.” “How does that work?” “How did you do that?” (Read those first two sentences again and grab onto the difference.)
So, why are we doing the same things over and over and over again when we teach kids in the church? If kids (actually people of all ages) learn every time they are fascinated, then we need to make it a goal to use fascination as a tool to draw kids into the Word of God. That means not doing it the same every time.
Being fascinated focuses your attention. Have you ever been delayed in a traffic jam for an hour … or two? Of course, you have! More than likely the reason for that delay was that there was an accident and everyone wanted a chance to take in the scene when they finally got close. A flood of questions went through each passerby’s brain as they observed the flashing lights, car in the ditch, and the contents of a truck scattered on the ground. Although it was terribly unfortunate circumstances, people were nonetheless fascinated. It was unusual. It was something they didn’t understand. It put their curiosity on high alert. They had questions. They wanted to know more. Those are the characteristics of fascination.
It only makes sense that if we create an environment where fascination is everywhere that kids will grasp that we serve a fascinating God! So, how do we go about incorporating fascination as we challenge kids to live a life where Jesus is Savior and Lord? Seriously, I could spew out ideas the rest of the day on this, but let’s just hone in on a few specific areas.
3 Attention Grabber Ideas
1. Science Experiments
We often talk about the most difficult group to engage being 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade boys. They could be off in no-where-land, engulfed in their handheld device, or bouncing off the walls … but when you introduce a science experiment, they’ll lose all interest in what they were doing. Eyes will be glued on what could happen next. Our purpose, though, is not to teach the science. Our purpose is to draw kids to the Word of God, and now that you have their attention and created fascination, encourage them to voice their observations—the characteristics of the experiment. Take those observations and then increase the challenge by asking them to relate what they observed to spiritual truth. Of course, you’ll have something in mind—a direction you’d like to go—but don’t discount that they may see something completely different and it is totally valid. Connect a fascinating experiment to Scripture and you’ve given kids a visual that won’t easily fade from memory.
2. Live and In-Person Experiences
Showing a photo of what you’re talking about is always helpful. But, what if you had the actual item or person, instead of the photo? What if kids could touch the object and turn it to look at all sides? What if they could ask questions of the actual person, like a ballerina or firefighter? That takes it to an entirely different level—to a fascinating level.
A friend of mine posted a photo on Facebook of her three children watching the tow truck load their family van to transport it to the repair shop. She said the event took over an hour and the kids stood at attention in the grass at the edge of the driveway mesmerized the entire time. Which is more fascinating? Showing a picture of a tow truck or watching one load a vehicle on the back? It was a live experience. Now, I’m not saying you need to bring a real tow truck into your classroom (although I bet some of you are trying to figure out how right now), but anytime you can go the extra step by taking a photo and making it a live experience, you have created fascination.
3. Storytelling
We have the greatest story to tell—God’s story and how we can be part of it. His story is told with giant warriors, loaves of bread, jars of oil, on a mountaintop, in the belly of a fish, from jail, and on and on. God let His creativity go absolutely crazy when telling His story. So should ours! Want to see eyes get big? Want to fascinate? Turn out the lights and tell the mysterious story of Nicodemus going to Jesus in the middle of the night, but do it using blacklight figures. Bring in Abraham, in full garb, to amaze the kids as he tries to count the stars in the sky that represent his descendants. Take kids out under a tree where they’ll look up and find Zacchaeus perched on a limb recalling the day his life changed. Make it fascinating so they’ll fall in the love with the Word.
I’ll be the first to admit that these attention grabber ideas takes extra time and energy. But, it makes teaching so much more memorable and fun—for both students and teachers! When kids chatter with their parents later in the day about what they did while with you, you’ve achieved fascination. So, how are you going to fascinate your kids this week?