Serving Spotlight: Lisa Martin

I have had the pleasure of serving in the Awana Sparks group for the past three years—first as a table leader, and this year as a council time teacher. I want to give you a small glimpse into what and why I have been teaching, as well as what I’ve learned through this life-giving opportunity. 

As a council time teacher, I have used the engaging curriculum available through Truth:78. Week after week, I have been so thankful to use this God-centered teaching with kindergarten, first, and second graders. Our study this year is entitled, “I Stand in Awe” and focuses specifically on God’s Word.

The scope of the curriculum is amazing. We have studied topics from “The heavens declare the glory of God” (Ps. 19:1) to “The wages of sin is death,” (Rom. 6:23) in a way that involves the children and uses practical visuals to help make these truths simple to understand. Most importantly, we are using the Bible itself to teach truths about God, with the hope that God would be producing and growing faith in these young hearts.

There are many reasons why I choose to spend my Wednesday evenings with about a hundred children. The first reason is found in Romans 10:17: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.” What greater joy can we have than to care for the next generation by encouraging young children in faith? I pray my short time of teaching is a small step in their growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

 I also teach because I have seen the benefit of this teaching in my own children. Having others within the body of Christ pour into them has opened many opportunities for conversations at home and revealed insights to them in different ways. Seeing this has fostered my own desire to share God’s Word with children.

Additionally, I did not have any biblical teaching as a child. In fact, much of what I have taught these six, seven, and eight-year-olds, I did not have the blessing of learning myself until I was in my twenties. What a gift to share truth with them at such a young age!

I truly count it a privilege to be able to spend this time teaching. I have no special gifting, training, or ability to teach. I am a regular mom and Christ-follower, planting the seeds of God’s Word in these children and trusting God to bring the growth.

Finally friends, it gives me joy beyond what I could have imagined to spend time with these precious children. The Lord has given me so many gifts from this experience. Through preparation and focused prayer for these children, the Lord has kept me accountable to his Word and encouraged my own faith in his work. Seeing the enthusiasm of the children, the way they engage with the Bible, and their excitement to learn and memorize God’s Word has built up my own faith and awe in our great God and Savior.

Through this opportunity with Awana, the Lord has given me a new and precious visual of what it means to come to him like a child.