Understanding the basics leads to spiritual growth
Again, I go back to the students in my World Civilization class. As we talk about the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, I can tell those who have been exposed to ancient history through the study of the Old Testament. They hear city names, such as Ur, Akkad, Sumer, Babylon, and want to discuss the intersection of what the Bible presents and what archaeology has proven. These students already have a background in this era of world history because of their Judeo-Christian faith. Whether they know it or not, their understanding of Old Testament times has prepared them to study the ancient world through an academic approach.
It is similar in our spiritual growth, too. While a young believer in the faith can learn the basics of being a follower of Christ without it, Sunday school does make it easier. Good quality lessons deliver biblical teachings on a level where each age group of Christian can fully understand them.
In paul’s day, this was a problem, too
Paul wrote, For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14).
Even Paul saw this phenomenon that plagues the modern church. At any church in the United States, there are at least a dozen people who have been Christians for ten or more years who do not understand the fundamental doctrines of their faith. They’ve never spiritually grown past the point of their salvation. I wonder if the reason many churches do not have viable programs for other age groups in the church is that the ones who should be leading them haven’t matured in their faith as they should?
A weak Sunday school program weakens the church
There are a lot of reasons why churches are in decline across America today. Sadly, when I had my emotional “religious” experience in 1988, I wasn’t sold on the importance of Sunday school. Why should it be relevant to me when there were parents who sent their children to church on the church bus, only to attend the morning service themselves? After all, if it were that important, why weren’t they in Sunday school, too? And I am sure many of you have seen the same thing. I believe that when a child sees their parent(s) skip Sunday school, they will eventually adopt the attitude of “why go to church at all?”
We now see a lot of churches across our country where entire age groups are missing from services each week. Somewhere and at some time Sunday school lost its importance in the life of the congregation. As class after class were combined and consolidated, many pastors and Sunday school teachers have become discouraged with every year that passes.
But there is hope in rebuilding this vital ministry
Yes, there is hope. In the Twenty-First Century, Sunday school is just as relevant for the church and believers as it was in the Eighteenth Century. If you are already teaching a Sunday school class, stand firm. Are you interested in teaching a class, why not let your pastor know? If you are a young Christian and you want to see your faith grow, and your knowledge and love of Jesus deepen, go to Sunday school! Are you a pastor and you want to see Sunday school come back to your church? Be willing to attend Sunday school in support of your teachers.
