"What Are Dinosaurs?"

I always tell my students to feel free to ask me any question, but I didn't expect to ever hear this one. During Bible class this morning, while explaining to John and Jose how years in B.C. and A.D. work, I used an example about creation and dinosaurs. I was mainly trying to show them that millions of years and a literal, historical understanding of Scripture don't mesh. Then Jose asks this question, "What are dinosaurs?"

(Pause to let that soak in.)

He was serious by the way. I was so shocked I almost didn't know how to respond. I explained that they were big lizards that lived long ago; I even drew a picture for him on the board (a brontosaurus & T-rex, which I thought were pretty good). He was still a little puzzled.

It boggles the mind how someone can be in their 50's, drive a car, use a cell phone, read and write, etc. and not know what dinosaurs are. After a while they both seemed a little more sure. John said, "I've seen children's toys like that before."

Teaching these two has been a total blessing for me, but has really stretched me in some ways too. I'm learning again that you just can't assume anything when teaching.

I guess if you've never had a need to think, talk, or write about something your whole life then it's possible you would never learn about it. I guess I just assumed everyone learns about dinosaurs at some point in life, but again, don't assume anything (even dinosaurs I guess).