Why is Sunday School so Important?

Isaac and Ashley pulled into the church parking lot of the Church at 9:57 on Sunday morning.  They were new in town.  Isaac’s job had transferred him when the new FedEx distribution hub had opened.  This was their first chance to attend at what they hoped would be their new church home.  Both had been heavily involved in their previous church.  Isaac had been on the youth ministry council and had taught the Senior High Class.  Ashley had taught in the Primary Girls’ class since she graduated from high school.

They walked in the front entrance with their two seven-year-old twin girls in tow.  They were greeted by a smiling hostess.

“Welcome to our Church!” the lady said enthusiastically. “Is this your first time here?”

Isaac responded with a wide grin.  “Yes.  We just moved to town and we are hoping to meet Pastor Johnson after service.  We attended New Life Tabernacle in Nowell.  My job just transferred me here.”

“Wonderful!  Morning worship is just getting ready to start.  Here’s a guest packet that explains more about the church.  Inside you will find a pen and guest card.  If you could fill it out, one of the ushers will come and get it from you.  I will have it taken to Pastor Johnson with a note that you want to meet with him after service.  I am sure you will love it here! We have a wonderful church!”

“I’m sure we will,” Ashley responded.  “My girls are looking forward to meeting their new Sunday school teacher.  Can someone show us to the class?  I would like to meet their new teacher as well.”

The hostess frowned slightly.  “I’m sorry.  We no longer have Sunday school on Sunday morning.  We just have morning worship.  We stopped having Sunday school about six months ago.  On Bible study night there is Children’s Power Hour for the kids, Youth Alive for the teenagers and the adults have their own small group times.  But Sunday morning we just have an evangelistic service that starts at 10:45 AM and usually lasts to about noon.  Sunday evening service begins at 6:00 PM.

Ashley glanced at her husband with a surprised look on her face.  “No Sunday school…oh my.”

“So do they teach the regular Sunday school curriculum on Bible study night?” Isaac asked.

“No, I don’t think so.  I think it’s more a children’s church type service and the youth mostly have fun activities in our youth room.”

Isaac glanced at his wife.  They both tried hard to not show their disappointment.  But the same question was in both of their minds:  When would the wonderful age-level Bible lessons be taught to their children that had meant so much to both of them growing up?  Besides their own family devotions, where would their girls learn the wonderful truths of the Word of God?

What Is Happening To Sunday School?

In many denominations, and even some within our own fellowship, the Sunday school has fallen on difficult times. Some are abandoning their Sunday schools in favor of a simpler children’s church format.  Others have gone to a single Sunday service with no Sunday school at all. Has the Sunday school lost its usefulness? Should we abandon it all together?

No! — At least, not according to the research of the leading authorities in church growth. They strongly advocate Sunday school as being a vital, if not a key, element within most growing churches. While I may not agree with all the growth research and methods being published this is one area I support with a resounding, “Amen!”

It has been my observation that most growing churches are strong Sunday school churches. When the pastors of these growing churches are asked about their key growth ministries, they repeatedly point to the Sunday school as a major element. 

Why is Sunday school so important to growth?

Provides Spiritual Strength For Growth

Our pastor does a great job preaching through the Bible but, we also need to have a strong Sunday school for all ages. Their spiritual health depends on it.  Sunday school gives us the opportunity to dig a little deeper, ask questions and have open discussions on the Scripture we are studying.   “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16).  

Involves Workers In Christian Service

The Sunday school trains workers for Christian service. More than any other program in your church, the Sunday school is a place to develop workers for all types of labor within the church. It can utilize saints from the new convert level all the way to developing preachers and elders for full-time service. They can gain valuable experience in administration, motivation, organization, evangelization, instruction, as well as a multitude of skills and talents. A growing, evangelistic Sunday school utilizes teachers, supervisors, assistants, secretaries, office help, musicians, bus workers, storytellers, craft workers, puppeteers, artists, and dozens more. How will you use this vast reservoir of talent if not in the Sunday school? How will you begin to train leaders for other areas of service if you have not a Sunday school? Look at where most of the key leaders and department heads in growing churches started – the Sunday school! Ask most preachers where they first developed their abilities to teach – the Sunday school! The old saying, “use them or lose them” is true in every aspect. Working Christians are happy Christians, fulfilled in their labor for God.

Strong Evangelistic Tool

The Sunday school is a vital tool of evangelism. A real problem in many churches is their limited number of family, friends, and acquaintances to witness to and carry the truth. The longer a person lives for God, the fewer non-church friends and contacts he or she will have. A Sunday school that is reaching out into it’s neighborhood and community will be continually expanding its reach to people who would have otherwise never had any contact with the church.

Special promotional events such as Easter, Christmas, Mother and Father’s Day programs give a prime opportunity to invite the parents to church and see “Johnny” perform his part. Such contests and promotions also encourage all church members to invite their friends and neighbors to the service.

 An evangelistic Sunday school will also see the children – both of saints and sinners – come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Often when the child makes a move for God, it motivates the parents to move also.

Sunday School Works!

Sunday school provides a perfect format and organization for all types of outreach: door knocking, special day promotion, bringing visitors, personal witnessing, and home Bible study to name a few. How much a church would be losing by not having a Sunday school! If you’re not currently involved in Sunday school, can I encourage you to consider joining us.  There’s a class for everyone.  If you’re interested in serving as we prepare to expand our Sunday school ministry, please see myself or Pastor Joey we know just the right place for you!

Bro. Tony