Surprise!: Sunday school is still a great Idea

Most have heard or read the Mark Twain quote, “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” Surprise! Dad actually knew something after all!!

This week, the Sunday after Labor Day, Sunday School starts up again at St. John, and at many other Christian congregations. I know that Sunday School seems like an old idea. Our parents, and perhaps our grandparents attended Sunday School. Today there are new ways to learn and new technology. But, guess what? Surprise! Sunday School is STILL a good idea — a GREAT idea!

God tells parents, “Fathers [parents], do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) Our Lord calls parents to teach their children about our Creator and Savior and Comforter. God calls parents to train their children in the Lord’s teaching. And guess what, parents. Sometimes children listen better when someone else teaches them, than when parents teach, or even grandparents teach. What a wonderful thing to have other believers help children in this task of instruction in God’s Word.

God calls each of us to “ . . . grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) Sunday School is not just for children, but adults need to grow in knowledge of God’s Word and of our Savior as well. Classes are available for adults.

God saves people from the death and judgment because of our sin through faith in Jesus as our Savior. And God tells us that He works saving faith through Scripture, through His Word. Consider Paul’s encouragement to Timothy. “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15) So, Paul encourages Timothy, and our Lord calls us to “continue” in the truth of God’s Word. Our Heavenly Father works for our eternal welfare when we gain the wisdom of faith through Scripture. And, in Sunday School . . . adults and children grow in such saving wisdom by studying the Bible.

Sunday school may be an old way of doing things, but, Surprise – Sunday School is still a good idea! Sunday School is a GREAT idea. And, guess what? Sunday School starts this weekend at St. John. Come join the party!