“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:16-17 (ESV)
CBS is the home for the reality show Kid Nation, a social experiment in which 40 children from 7 to 14 are dropped off in a deserted town to build it and run it themselves without adult supervision. I have been amazed at how well the children have been managing and dealing with their life as they make it.
On one episode the children had to deal with the social concern of religion. Prior weeks the town had to deal with curfews and government. They divided the town into 4 districts. Each has an elected leader and representative on town council.
They compete for social standing in the community by winning challenges. The first team to finish a challenge is the upper class, second place are the merchant class, third kitchen staff, and fourth laborers. Every three days there is a new challenge to see who will be serving in each class, and who is going to do the assigned chores.
Every third day there is a community meeting. One person from the community is picked to win a gold star worth $20,000. Truly, a prize worth its weight in gold. The council must decide who is to receive this reward for their hard work and leadership.
The young people governing this group to date has been refreshing, they have shown moments of greatness and, of course, there were moments when they are kids. Many of them would make any mother proud. Some of them perhaps bring a bit of embarrassment to their family but for the most part I have been moved with the performance of these fine young people.
