I grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. Every Sunday after church, my mom would take my sisters and me over to my grandma’s house for breakfast. And oh, what a breakfast it was. The table was loaded with eggs, bacon, toast, orange juice — and her famous, ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. You know the kind. The ones where the cinnamon and sugar can’t stay contained, spilling out of every crevice. The ones that fill the whole house with an aroma that makes your mouth water before you even sit down.

I treasure every one of those Sunday

mornings. And I know with absolute certainty that if my grandma had simply put a box of Pop Tarts on the table, I would not carry those memories with me today. Pop Tarts fill your stomach for a little while. But they can never compete with something made with love, time, and care.

Teaching children about God works the same way — and every parent, teacher, and ministry leader gets to choose which one they’ll serve.

Whether you’re a Sunday School teacher, a homeschool mom, a VBS coordinator, or a parent doing family devotions at the kitchen table — you have been given a remarkable gift: time with children who are hungry to know God. That relationship is sacred. And like my grandma’s cinnamon rolls, it takes real investment. It takes preparation, creativity, and a willingness to show up fully — not just go through the motions.

The children in your care will remember the teachers and parents who made God’s Word come alive for them. They will remember the lessons that engaged them, surprised them, and made them feel loved. They may not remember every game or activity, but they will remember you — and the Jesus they saw reflected in the effort you gave.

Pop Tart lessons are quick and easy. But cinnamon roll lessons? Those leave a lasting mark on a child’s heart.

Which one will you serve this week?

And when you need a little fuel for that whole-hearted teaching? Here’s a joyful Bible verse song to energize you and the kids you love!