Sermon-Listening and Soda-Drinking
Sunday I preached on the story of Jesus’ healing at Bethesda (John 5:1-15). Afterwards, a mother of young children came up to let me see her youngest son’s sermon notes.
When I read them, I asked for permission to share them here. I told her I was so impressed that her children were actually taking notes on my messages. She warned me not to be too impressed. “We bribe them,” she smiled. The kids get to have a soda for lunch if they take sermon notes. For a few weeks she’s been out of the kind of drink one of the kids likes; so he’s quit taking notes until the soda returns. I told her I’m pro-bribery.
So, here is what my seven-year-old friend Joshua S. heard from Sunday:
1. great temple
2. built by hyrid
3. we are used to a crowd
4. why here?
5. altogether
6. angel water
7. water bubles
8. sick peeple
9. “do you want to get well?”
10. there is no one to help me
11. Christons hope
12. leave the room
13. you have great faith
14. mercee on me
15. it come as a gift
16. manny times
17. it is compleet
18. there is a clue
19. Jesus did this
20. God’s work is good
21. there so much more
22. also an invetation
23. david askd God
Give that boy a soda!
Back when I preached in Connecticut, one Sunday I noticed a young lad intently watching me then scribbling something on paper. He did this throughout the lesson. Afterwards, I sought him out knowing that he had captured the essence of Truth that I so eloquently orated that morning. Much to my disappointment, the young smart-alec had drawn an angry figure, hand raised and with flames shooting out of his mouth. He had written, “Mr. Hold (sic) preching.” Give that kid a smack!
I think it’s really good that she’s starting them at that at a young age. Perhaps they’ll continue when they’re older, if for no other reason than out of habit.
I was never a note-taker in church until I got to college. For some unknown reason, I started then, and have never stopped since. Not only in church, but also in Sunday and Wednesday class. It’s become so ingrained in me that now if I’m not taking notes, I almost don’t know what to do with myself.
But I LOVE it. It’s unreal how much more I retain! So I always keep pen and paper in my Bible now.
Well…I guess I shouldn’t say “always” because sometime in the course of last week, I removed the pen. And I didn’t discover this till I was already seated in church yesterday. Although church had started and singing had begun, I had to get up and leave–went into the church office in search of a pen! (Yes, folks, it’s that serious!)
I very much support youngsters taking notes during the sermon. It is much preferable to separate worhip services for them during the sermon.
However, I am very much anti bribery. My children were all raised on the 3rd row back starting as infants. We did not have to take them out of the service, because of disruptions, more than 4 or 5 times at the most. We started early with thick paged, quiet, Bible books and then graduated to note taking when they were able. There were no bribes only expectation and explanation that it would prevent boredom because they would have to pay attention and that they would learn important things in the process.
I provided example by following the sermon with open Bible. The preacher always knew that if he needed a scripture read that I would already be turned to it. No brag, just fact.
This habit continues until today even if the scriptures are being projected. NIV seems to be the version of choice [for preacher] and to me NASB provides additional insight
Whatever it takes.
http://www.matthewmorine.com
I was a note-taker, though it probably didn’t begin until middle school. But it was much easier to take notes with the preaching I heard growing up.
Each sermon would have as many scripture references as possible — several dozens (with bursts of up to 80) in one sermon.
So my goal was to write down all the references.
I do remember being frustrated at first when I got to college and listened to Jim Woodroof. He preached from one text and stayed in that text. Sermon notes had to switch to ideas.
One of my favorite note-takers is my buddy Jack. He’s an artist (think: Jacob’s Dream on ACU campus), and during each of my sermons he draws a picture to try to capture the essence of the message.
I’ve seen some examples of his work. It’s called genius.
Great for the parents to instill that. Perhaps after a while the pop incentive can be dropped and the child take notes anyway! I much prefer taking my own notes than filling in the blanks on the pre-written notes in our bulletin!
I like to write notes from great messages directly in the margins of my Bible. I write the date & the name of the person who “spoke” to me with their words. Over & over I see Mike’s, Randy’s, Jeff’s, Rick’s, Beth’s, Sara’s Chris’s, Steven’s, Charles’s, my boys, & a few others names, & it makes my heart so glad! My dad is giving his sermon notes from many years ago to the grandkids, & I think that’s a cool thing to hand down, too.
Give that kid a Mellow Yellow so he can enjoy Picasso too!
Wow. Those are excellent. Easy to follow. To the point. Simple. Very nice.
Mike: I always seem to under-estimate the effect of preaching on children. Two weeks ago I was preaching on Colossians 3:18ff when about halfway through my lesson I noticed a small murmur in the back. After the service a mother approached me and apologized for the commotion… it seems her young son had put his fingers in his ears when I got to verse 20 (children obey your parents) and that caused several around them to begin giggling before she could get him to put his arms down again! Many times I’ve had parents of 3-4 year olds tell me their kids were talking about the lesson on the way home! Amazing how God works, isn’t it? God bless, Mark
How fortunate you are to get sermon notes written down. I’m like Steve Sr… I get caricatures of me and whatever goofy hand motions I happen to be doing that day…
one day maybe they’ll bribe kids at my place… hmmm…
Thanks, Annie, for the memories. Those names are the ones I think of with gratitude most often too.
I take copious notes during personal study, class, sermons, worship … you name it. We visit so many different churches during the course of the year and I often find myself recalling a brilliant point or perfectly applied text or a personal observation or revelation. My notes help me revisit those moments and put them into context again (and allow me to figure out WHO said or inspired them).
Our teenager isn’t a note-taker, but the younger two are. Juxtaposed with artwork, of course. Nothing like a minister in a cape to tie a sermon together.
Mike,
Look for Mike Cope Sings the Classes to appear at our new website Weird ACU.
Eddie Baggett…when I was in Harding Academy…probably the most demanding Bible teacher I ever had…lots and lots of memory work…gave extra credit if we took notes during gospel meeting sermons…and more extra credit if we wrote down as many scripture references than he did! I’ve continued taking notes…it’s become a habit.
Love me some Josh S.!!!!! He cracks me up! Brought me some M&Ms on Sunday as well as taking notes. Quite a morning for my 7 year old friend!
Ever try to take notes when listening to Stanley Shipp? Incredibly Spirit-filled “ramblings.”
Tim: I have dozens of notebooks from years of litening to Stanley’s truly “incredibly Spirit-filled ramblings.” I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. The earth could use Stanley’s ramblings today.
Hey Mike. Here’s a comment not at all related to your blog post. I know you’re a big “fan” of the Psalms so I wanted to recommend the new album by Doug Burr out of Denton (no, I don’t work for him). He’s just completed an album (The Shawl) that is completely taken from the poetry of the Psalms set to contemplative, soulful acoustic. Really nice. I think you’ll dig it. http://www.myspace.com/dougburr Peace.