Funday School
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I have had some conversations with people in instrumental moments in my life. When my leadership was still developing along with my understanding of faith-based community, the issue of Sunday school came up. The question specifically asked: “is Sunday school necessary?”
At the time I immediately asserted that, “YES! Yes it is.” I had no basis for that answer, just the fact that I’ve always gone and been a part of Sunday school leadership. I stuck to my guns in the debates and discussions. I couldn’t understand church culture WITHOUT Sunday school, or that culture would vary so vastly. Unfortunately, my ability for communication and putting ideas together were poor.
(At this time, I admired greatly a guy named Joab. He was intelligent, creative, and wasn’t afraid of tough questions, or challenging authority. Joab has since been a person who I’ve admired. I learned a lot from him, and his finesse with words has rubbed off on me a little bit. So since the discussions I had regarding Sunday School, I’ve been trying to think like Joab in an effort to answer the question.)
The idea of simply sitting in a main worship service and listening to a preacher for an hour and going home, the main fellowship that special time of handshaking awkwardly for 10 minutes tops, seemed absurd. How do you get to know people? How do you invest in the lives of others?
I have begun to investigate if my stance was correct, and if I could effectively answer the question about Sunday school, either affirming it’s necessity or proving I was wrong in my stance and understanding.
Obviously, there’s not Scripture that says specifically that “Sunday School” must take place. “Thou shalt part-take in Sunday School. 1st Hezekiah 10:30” simply doesn’t exist. So, let’s get into what is actually in scripture.
First and foremost, The Great Commission in Matthew 28 speaks at it somewhat. Go and make disciples. This speaks at 1) global missions and 2) staying home. “Staying at home, Jarin where do you get that? Clearly it says GO!” is probably what you’re asking me, I can’t read your mind, it’s an assumption.
Let’s tackle the question of staying home. When we do go, we make that place our temporary home right? We minister to the people and try to win souls for Jesus. That’s a no brainer. Let’s apply that to being home in your actual home. We’re supposed to teach others about Jesus, and to “observe all that I have commanded you.” The goal of Sunday school, in my opinion is to further thoughts expressed in the sermons preached in the local church, and to help add more knowledge to the foundation. A sermon is designed to appeal to most age groups, and scratches the surface. Jesus hasn’t called us to surface level faith, and as such, our knowledge needs to be more than surface level as well. The goal for a Christian is maturity, right?
“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-15).
It happens that people feel the call to salvation as a result of a sermon, a lot. On the other hand, getting paired up with a Sunday school class as a visitor or unsaved person leads them into a place where relational ministry takes place. Sunday school serves as the homestead for most people. This is where you make the most connections and gain people who legitimately care about your well-being.
Creating a community in Sunday school is important to insure the future of the church. It builds leaders who are solid in scripture, relationship, and maturity to lead the church in the aspect of forward momentum.
“Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 31:12
Sunday school is designed to reach, teach and win souls to the Lord.
It is my understanding that Sunday School is not only beneficial, but necessary.
Call it small groups, call it what you will, but don’t slack off the importance of gathering and having Christ centered, Bible focused discussions, avoiding deception and in-accurate interpretations.
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