Does the Bible say anything about Sunday school?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

While the Bible does not mention Sunday School, it does address the importance of believers knowing the Scriptures and teaching them to their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6). Psalm 78 emphasizes telling the next generation about God’s mighty works; Sunday School can serve that function for all ages. Timothy, the apostle Paul’s “true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2), exemplifies the results of someone who had good teachers and was taught Scripture from his youth into adulthood (2 Timothy 1:14, 3:14-15). Learning more about the Bible through adult Sunday School as well as sending our kids to children's Sunday School is a great way to equip the family unit for godliness of the type that Timothy benefited from. Sunday School can help believers of all ages better understand God’s truths so we can live it out throughout the week in every area of our life (James 1:22).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Deuteronomy 6:6-7 emphasizes the importance of teaching Scripture: "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Although in a different context, we, too, can teach our children about the Bible through educational opportunities in the church like Sunday School.
• Many of the Psalms attest to the importance of teaching God’s word (Psalm 19:7-8, 78:5-7, 119:105). Sunday School is one of many opportunities to do that.
• In Proverbs 4:10–12, the author says: "Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble." Sunday School is often an opportunity for children to hear Bible stories that teach them key biblical truths about who God is, who they are, and how to be godly in a sinful world. Learning biblical truths at a young age can benefit them tremendously in the future.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Paul exhorted Timothy, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Teaching children at a young age helps them to walk in the ways of the Lord as they get older (cf. Proverbs 22:6). Sunday School is one way to accomplish that.
• Sunday School encourages a deeper look into God’s Word, which equips us “for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• Sunday school exists to help Christians learn and apply the teachings of the Bible. James 1:22 teaches, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." As we attend Sunday school and discuss Biblical topics, we should put what we learn into action. We should also pray that the children who attend Sunday school will not just hear the Scriptures but also apply it to their life.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The modern Sunday school concept began in Britain in the late 1700s and became popular in America in the 1800s. Unlike Sunday school programs today, however, most Sunday schools originally operated similar to a public school with the Bible as the key curriculum, with children working on farms, in factories, or at stores on weekdays, leading to the need for educational assistance from the church.

Today, Sunday school is a program parents have the option of sending their children to while they attend their own adult Sunday school class. The teaching style of Sunday school classes vary as much as the teachers who host those classes. Often, crafts, games, and other activities in children’s Sunday School play into the Bible story or biblical concept that the kids learn that day. This variety of activities can help biblical truths stick with children. For adults, Sunday school often offers more in-depth discussion about topics than in a traditional sermon, and some classes like to use Christian books as a guide to gaining a deeper understanding of a certain section of the Bible or biblical concept. Ultimately, Sunday school is a discipleship and evangelistic opportunity where kids and adults can (maybe for the first time) hear biblical truths and the Gospel message in a way they can easily understand. It is also an opportunity to build relationships with people and fellowship together as we learn about God and His Word.

UNDERSTAND

• Though the Bible doesn’t mention Sunday School, it does emphasize the importance of teaching about God and His word.
• Sunday School can help believers to dig deeper into God’s Word.
• Instruction on Bible passages and topics can equip believers to apply what they’ve learned to their everyday lives.

REFLECT

• If you’ve ever attended Sunday School, how did it impact your spiritual life?
• What spiritual education do you engage in regularly that helps you grow in godliness and application of God’s Word?
• What differences have you noticed between studying the Bible in a group versus studying it on your own?

ENGAGE

• What might be some reasons Sunday School is less prevalent today than it was years ago?
• Besides Sunday School, what other opportunities do we have to grow in our faith?
• What criteria should be followed when choosing extrabiblical content for Sunday School or other group Bible study?