Youth Sunday School

Our Sunday School program begins every Sunday at 10:30am.  We feature classes for all ages, from Preschool to High School. 

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Sunday school teachers change hearts and lives with the message of the Gospel. That's pretty amazing.

We recognize that students need:   

Unconditional love and forgiveness based on the Gospel of Christ. Some students come from homes where love does not reflect Christ's example. Each child needs to know--by actions and in words--how much God loves him or her. It may be a challenge to love some of the children all of the time. It is only through the extraordinary love of God in Christ that this love is made possible. When each child knows the unconditional love of God, demonstrated through the forgiveness of Christ, the Bible lessons become stories of God's love rather than of man's adventures.

Understanding and acceptance.  Everyone wants to be understood. Every child can be taught that God knows and understands all things. Furthermore, children should know that God accepts all people through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even though He cannot accept the nature of sin and its actions. By demonstrating care and concern the teacher seeks to understand and accept, but we can do so in the context of forgiveness and faith. It is also important for the teacher to protect the uniqueness of each child, squelching put-downs and teasing from others.

A reason to be there.  Each student may have a different reason to be in Sunday School. Some attend only because their parents take them or make them attend. Others attend because they have friends in Sunday School. Some attend because they enjoy learning the exciting stories about God and His people. When teaching God's Word and sharing the Christian faith is your priority, the students' reason for coming to Sunday School remains faith-rooted. It starts when teachers ask the question, "If a child only had this opportunity to learn about God, what is most important for them to learn from this lesson?" Sharing the Gospel of Christ is the reason for Sunday School and Christian educational ministry. Students need that message, and our Sunday Schools should be dedicated to sharing it.

Challenge and growth (not entertainment). Fun and games, entertainment, videos and treats may be part of a healthy class, but never the main element. When these things become the central focus, attendance may stay strong for a while but will probably decline because the class will fail to really make a difference in kids' lives. God's Word needs to be kept at the heart and center of the educational hour. As students grow older, they should be challenged in different ways so that the lessons match their age-appropriate needs.

Modeling of the faith. Most students remember their teachers better than the curriculum, classroom layout, or specific facts. The relationship between students and their teachers is a critical component of effective discipleship. Teachers who demonstrate the love of Christ become a model of Christ for their students. While no teacher can perfectly walk in Christ's footsteps, students benefit when teachers demonstrate commitment, a positive and joyful attitude, and a living faith by their words and actions inside and outside the classroom. Some Sunday School teachers also share their faith at the grocery store or at a soccer game. Students who watch and observe this faith in action naturally evaluate whether or not faith is important in life.

Fellowship and interpersonal growth. Some teachers and boards of education feel uncomfortable emphasizing friends and relationships. They feel that if fellowship and interpersonal growth become the primary goals, education gets out of balance and Christ may be lost in the process. Yet the community of saints is a gift from God, who blesses each student with friends who help him or her grow in a healthy context for learning.

A firm but fair environment.  Unconditional love and forgiveness, understanding and acceptance--these are environmental conditions that help set the mood for health learning. However, one of the greatest challenges for teachers is classroom discipline. Students learn more in, and also enjoy, a firm environment. "Firm" does not suggest harsh but rather even handed discipline. Uniform rules are helpful guidelines, but the personal nature of each student should also be taken into consideration. Thus, "fair" may not always mean equal but rather equitable treatment, with each person receiving what is best for him or
her.

What do students need? They need the love of Christ, who died so that they might live. May God bless each classroom with teachers and educational ministries that strive to make this a priority. And may we know that God works in us to make it happen--to His glory!

--CPH

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