The Amazing Bryce

With the exception of last year, my wife and I have been administrators for a children's discipleship program at our church, called TeamKids. We served in this ministry for approximately 7 years. The program ministed to over 100 children each year and we were blessed to work with over 30 adult volunteers.

TeamKids awards children (grades K thru 5th) with points for accomplishing various bible skills (memorizing scripture, learning the books of the bible, etc). It also includes recreation and a story time. The kids can spend their points at a 'concession' store at various times during the 8 month program.

At the end of the year, the TeamKids are recognized during a Sunday evening service. At one of these recognitions, an amazing event occured.

During the service, selected Teamkids would read a bible verse they had memorized. One little boy (who was in kindergarten), Bryce tried to read his verse, but he got nervous and started to cry. Poor little kid. All the other kids did well.

At the end of the servive, the pastor asked Bryce's parents if he wanted to try again. He came up on stage and the pastor put his arm around him and helped him get started on his verse. What happened next still gives me a thrill.

Bryce had not memorized one verse, but an entire chapter within Psalms. As he repeated verse after verse, I watched the people in the congregation. They were stunned, because they assumed this little boy was just trying to repeat a little verse.

It took Bryce several minutes to repeat all the verses (there had to have been close to 50 verses).

Anyway, when he was finished, he got a standing ovation.

It was an amazing thing to witness. It was also convicting. I need to get back to scripture memorization.