Sunday School – What’s It All About?

The History of Sunday School
It may surprise you to know that the SS is relatively new. It had it’s beginning in England around 1780 and moved to America around 1800. At first churches rejected the SS because it emphasized “lay” leadership and teachers. Many ministers rejected it because they believed that only “trained theologians” should teach.
Therefore the SS started outside the church in Sunday School Unions that met each week and developed teaching materials. Eventually the SS became popular and was adopted by most protestant denominations. Over the years it has been refined and developed.

Why Sunday School                                                                                                

If I were to ask what is the purpose of SS, most would reply with one thing.  – Teaching the Bible. That is 25% correct. Sunday School has  four  purposes.
Reaching – Teaching – Caring – Evangelizing

God has called me to lead as Pastor – Teacher – Equipper – and  Coach. I believe that the one ministry of Salem that can make us or   break us is the SS.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL IS THE REACHING ARM OF THE CHURCH

a) It reaches people that have dropped out.
b) It reaches people with no church background.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL IS THE TEACHING ARM OF THE CHURCH
a) Bible based – Transforming lives
b) Open ended Bible lessons – New people are able to come in at any time.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL IS THE CARING ARM OF THE CHURCH

a) Assimilation – gets people involved
b) Encouragement
c) Fellowship
d) It’s the small group ministry of the church.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL IS THE EVANGELIZING ARM OF THE CHURCH

a) Relationship evangelism. Not every person is saved the first time they hear the gospel. Many are saved after weeks or months of hearing the gospel.

b) Sunday school is Child evangelism
c) Sunday school is Youth evangelism
d) Sunday school is Adult evangelism
e) Sunday school is Outreach evangelism
 f) Sunday school is In-Reach evangelism