Better Than One

Over the last month, I have observed Sunday schools starting a new year.  Some are excited and ready but many are not prepared or enthused about another year of Sunday school.  I wanted to share several ideas for “raising the bar” for Sunday school.  However this morning, I saw an email article by Rodney L. Pry in defense of Sunday school.  Here is how he starts:

“For more than 225 years, Sunday school has been the primary Christian-education program for persons of all ages in Protestant churches.  But, in recent years, general interest in Sunday schools seems to have declined.  In fact, statistics tell us that over the past 20 years, attendance has dropped more than 25 percent.  He shares primary reasons why Sunday school is as important as ever.  I want to piggy-back on these reasons and add what you can do to “raise the bar” or “kick it up a notch” concerning Sunday school.

1.  The priority of School school needs to be raised.  Do we talk about SS in worship?  Do spotlight different age groups or classes? Do we talk about the values of Sunday school?  Often SS becomes the organization that is always there but rarely noticed.  Praise it and and continually highlight it.

2.  Sunday school is normally the largest organization in your church.  This organization can provide you with service groups, ministry teams and volunteer people.  Every department or class needs to be organized so individuals have value and responsibilities.

3.  Sunday school is the Bible teaching arm of your church body.  “The word goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  (Is. 55:11) The congregation has to grow in their love for the word.  People need to be enrolled in SS or Bible Study.

4.  Bible Teaching is extremely important but Making Disciples can also happen in Sunday school.  If  we do not teach to make disciples, we are missing one of the best discipleship arenas to reproduce disciples.

5.  Most Sunday schools think of fellowship as one of their main functions.  Fellowship and relationships go hand in hand to help people find their place and feel comfortable.  The circle of fellowship must be open and not closed to keep people in our body.  Fellowships need to happen on a monthly basis.

6.  Sunday school leaders can plan by evaluating the past, prioritizing needs, setting goals, and creating actions for each SS year.  This helps to motivate leaders by measuring their progress and achievements

7.  Does your Sunday school expect new people to come to Sunday school?  As I visit different churches and their Sunday school, I notice no spirit of excitement or expecting new people to walk through the doors because no one has been inviting.        Invest – Invite – Involve

8.  Is Sunday school not relating to adults?  That is a question that has be asked for years.  However with our renewed interest in reaching young adults, we might want to think about renaming Sunday school.  Several options are:  Bible Study, Bible Fellowship, Life Groups, Connect Groups.

Let me return to Rodney Pry’s closing comments:

“The general lack of interest in the church and the Bible is certainly one of the biggest reasons for the decline in Sunday school.  In fact, Barna Research tells us that only about 30% of all Americans attend church on a regular basis today. 

God doesn’t change.  The Bible doesn’t change.  But, the world and people have changed greatly in recent years.  And, because people have changed, the ways that we teach people of different ages in the church and Sunday school must also change.

Why is Sunday school important?  Because the Bible and the central character of the Book – Jesus Christ – are important!  If you believe that Jesus Christ is important, shouldn’t you have the desire to learn more about Him by reading the Bible and then coming together with other Christians to really dig into God’s word in Sunday school?”

“For the word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  (Heb. 4:12)