Sunday School

The Purposes of our Sunday school

To ensure the furtherance of apostolic doctrine: And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42).

To make disciples of Jesus: As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7).

To obey the Lord’s commission to His church:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen (Matthew 28:19-20).

To ensure a future generation of Christian workers:

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).

The requirements met by those who teach our classes

The points listed above should be the aim of every Christian but especially those who give themselves to the instruction of others in the local church or Sunday school. Each child in the class has been entrusted to the teacher by a parent or grandparent, by the pastor and most importantly by the Lord our God. The space of time given will be the only true Biblical instruction some of these children have ever received. Others will find the instruction a supplement to what they are learning in the home. Many of these young ones will remember the teacher – not the lessons taught – for the rest of their lives. The impression made upon them can and will serve to keep them in church and walking in the ways of truth all their days.

The ministry of the Sunday school teacher should extend far beyond the time spent in the classroom. To be effective the teacher MUST be a continual living example of Christian conduct. While none of us can fully attain this noble goal, it should be the heartfelt desire of all teachers. Each Sunday school worker needs to always be available to meet the children’s needs for counsel, friendship, encouragement and prayer in their walk with God. Every effort should be made to establish a trusting relationship with each child. As each child and each home is different there is no substitute for time spent with every student.
It is unreasonable to expect a student to be excited about a lesson or a class if the teacher is not. Every session should be a joyful overflow of the teacher’s love for Jesus and for each child.

1. The teacher must be born again.
2. The teacher must be committed to living the Christian life inside and outside the church.
3. The teacher must be doctrinally sound, holding to all crucial points of doctrine held by the assembly.
4. The teacher must be in a right relationship with the pastor and leadership of the church, lest a critical spirit infect the children under his or her care.
5. The teacher must be free of scandal and habit that would offend one of the little ones. This includes refraining from places and activities that would not be suitable for members of his / her class. Use of alcohol, tobacco, profanity or vulgar language, attendance at entertainment containing language and conduct unfit for viewing in the Sunday school are but a few obvious examples of those practices unsuitable for one being looked upon as a pattern.
6. The teacher must be faithful to the services, activities and ministries of the church. One cannot send the mixed message of teaching Sunday morning and being absent Sunday night or of giving a lesson on evangelism but being absent from the outreach efforts of the church.
7. The teacher must have a true love for every child in his or her class, not just a desire to instruct or rule over them. Teaching must not be a matter of self will or position but an outworking of the heart’s care for the youth.
8. There can be no favorites or preferential treatment. Those who consider their own children superior and think taking a place in the Sunday school will enable them to straighten out the inferior children is unfit for the position. Those who have issues and relationship problems with the parents of Sunday school children cannot effectively minister to the children.

In the Classroom

1. Each teacher should be fully prepared to fill all the available time with instruction and activity of interest and benefit to the students.
2. The teacher should arrive in his or her classroom at least fifteen minutes prior to class time. Each student, new or old, should find their teacher waiting for them in the classroom.
3. The classroom should be left clean and neat, ready for the next class. Return chairs and tables to their proper place, pick up rubbish, clean boards, etc. The children should be taught to perform these tasks.
4. Deal with discipline problems without involving the parents if possible. Let each child learn to obey, get along with others and listen attentively by your firm and gentle guidance. To call in dad and mom for each offence will make the Sunday school experience one dreaded by the child.
5. Never use any form of corporal punishment on a child – even if you have permission of the parents.
6. If accused by or confronted by a parent or student the teacher should take this matter to the pastor or deacons immediately.

The first Sunday of every month we suspend all classes and gather in the auditorium to partake of the Lord’s supper. This simple memorial, calling to mind Jesus’ broken body and shed blood, is the manner in which God has asked us to worship Him (1 Corinthians 11). Much of the communion service is spent it quiet prayer and meditation. This is a very personal time spent with our Lord. Those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal savior are welcome to participate.