Do you faithfully attend Sunday School or a Small Group class? Why or Why Not? Unfortunately, the trend, for professing Christians, is to skip Sunday School or small group. Is this healthy for the Christian life? I would plead with you that it is not. Below I have outlined five reasons why my family chooses to make Sunday School (AKA Small Group)attendance a priority.
5 Biblical Reasons we Attend Sunday School
- It Provides a Forum for Learning. This platform is comprised of students and teachers. Sunday School encourages spiritual interaction between the students and the teachers, as well as providing a comprehensive way of learning as a group. The content can take many different forms or shapes. You can have anything from exposition of the text of Scripture to Sunday School Curriculum.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” ~Ephesians 4:11
Christian Education is a vital part of the anointing of the office of pastor/teacher and God’s plan for the church. For parents, what is taught in Sunday school should only be a supplement to what is taught at home. The ideal situation is when the church and family work together to educate children in the faith. Curriculum may be formatted to meet specific topics or themes, relative to Christian faith. Sunday School attendance also provides an effective opportunity for Christian growth.
2. It Helps Fulfill The Call of Assembling of The Saints.
I know I know. The devil’s advocate will say, “Attending the traditional worship service fulfills that obligation.” But I will argue that Sunday School sets the stage for better understanding. It is a comprehensive way of learning from one another and to receive encouragement to live by God’s Word.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” ~Hebrews 10:24-25
3. It Is A Form of Fellowship. Assembling together with the Saints is a form of fellowship that we are all commanded to do as believers and followers of Jesus Christ. Being together in community is a vital part of Christianity. The fellowship with one another and the breaking of bread and of prayer. We see this model given to us by the very first members of the early New Testament Church.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” ~Acts 2:42
4. It Is A Way Of Preparing For The Worship Service. A priming for continued worship of the Lord occurs during the Sunday School time. This is commonly 45 minutes to an hour before the traditional service begins. Believers are in God’s Word and praying with one another. They are getting a taste of the Lord and obtaining a satiable appetite for more of God’s Word. They hit the sanctuary doors praising the Lord and eager for more!
“Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.” ~Psalm 111:1
5. It Is A Way To Know The Needs Of The Body. This can be a time of prayer and also becoming privy to the needs of others within the church. Some will say, “This is just a gossip time and that in and of itself is sin.” Let’s be honest for a minute. People are prideful. If they truly and honestly have a need they are not commonly just going to offer that up and ask for help. It takes community and the knowledge of fellow church members to know and understand the needs of others within the body. Sunday School is a time to come together and even discuss how to go about helping those specific individuals within the church. It doesn’t have to be just a job for the deacons, elders, or benevolence committee.
“And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” ~Acts 2:45
By: Shawn Waugh
**Shawn (AKA Dr. Luke) is the host of the “Word For America” program that can be heard weekly on www.graceliferadio.com
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