we want homework!

i've started teaching a bible study for the latte treatment centers here in guam. tonight i'll go to the youth house and hang out with some 11-17 yr olds. last week was my first week there so i asked what they wanted me to do to help them learn about jesus and the bible. did they want movie clips, narratives, an outline...? their answer really surprised me. they wanted homework. i'm not making it up. a few students actually said they wanted me to print off questions so they could answer them during the week and "know the passage better." and these are youth with severe behavior issues. they want homework.

one of the kids said something profound as we started the bible study last week. he's the youngest kid in the house and supposedly can be pretty difficult. as i started to talk about the prodigal son, he leaned in toward me and said, "you know, i'm not familiar with God." i was struck with his honestly and answered, "well, at least you're a self aware man. sometimes i don't feel very familiar with God either. but thats what i'm hear for. lets get familiar with God together." wasn't that a wonderful way to describe our hearts? its hard to love someone you aren't familiar with.

and when we're honest with ourselves, i hope we don't think we've grown so familiar with God that we are content. i don't want to lose the wonder as i gain "familiarity." i want to be as taken aback as the youth when i told them God wants them in the family like the father wanted the prodigal son. i want to be intrigued with Jesus's words. and i'm thinking that if we REALLY became "familiar with God" we couldn't help but be intrigued and surprised and excited and confused and happy and frustrated and hopeful.