The Decline & Fall of Sunday School Part 2
Last week I wrote a strongly worded and difficult article. As I typed the words, I felt compelled to say what was in my heart but feared repercussions. After publication there were no repercussions, there were even a few accolades. I then realized my greatest fear should have been that which has plagued the church for millenia…apathy.
I was preaching to the choir. Everyone who read my article was already involved in (or teaching) a Sunday School class. They knew firsthand the importance of continuous education–not just general education, though that is important, but education in the faith. Our world is continually changing and challenging. Our lives are continually bombarded by issues and dilemmas that require judgment and discernment. The methods we choose to navigate this new world is different for everyone. As I said, the options grow exponentially.
In years past, children's Sunday School classes were taught by one person who took on the task and spent a lifetime in the classroom–loving children and teaching week after week. We held these individuals up as saints of the faith–though they never aspired to such status. They served as an act of a deep love of God and affection for others. The difficulty with this model is that these individuals never had the benefit of being students themselves. A new model arose–rotating teachers. Children are offered consistency in the classrooms and adults are provided periods of study to stretch and grow and learn just as children and youth. Perhaps one difficulty we encounter is the concept that this is "SCHOOL." The term school implies that one day we will graduate–therefore the need to study is over.
As today begins the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, let us explore some of what we can celebrate as part of the Jewish heritage we claim as Christians. Torah, which is Hebrew for "instruction or teaching" is the Jewish name for the first 5 books of the Hebrew and Christian Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). The study of Torah is part of the 613 mitzvot, which means "Biblical Commandments" (and you thought there were only 10!) and is based on Deuteronomy 6:7…
Write these commandments that I’ve given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder; inscribe them on the doorposts of your homes and on your city gates.
And to which the Talmud adds, "Study is necessary in order to teach." So you see, the goals and efforts we have with Christian Education have roots that are thousands of years old and have long been a faith tradition for many. By changing the model, we have allowed our teachers the opportunity to also study. Everything is there for a strong program of learning the faith together. Again, except for the children.
For most children, if they were to awaken on a Monday morning and look at their parents and say, "I don't feel like going to school. I'm going back to bed," a parent's likely response would be…"OH NO YOU DON'T!…back up and get yourself moving." This response is born out of our understanding that children need an education to live a successful life and be an attribute, not a drain on society. There was a time when our response was the similar when a child provided this excuse for church.
Parents have an understanding of what is best for their children. I'm beginning to feel the emptiness in our classrooms is the parental response that we no longer offer what is best for their children. If this is true, then what it is that will once again make teaching faith relevant? If it is best for kids to be continually on the go and know nothing of Sabbath, then what is a church to do? Is it best for adults to no longer study the faith? If this is the case, then why do we still consider sacred a text that is so very old? Why do we study the stories over and over? Do they no longer have good news for us today? Have we gleaned all the wisdom and learning we can from them? If so, where do we go from here?
It is my hope that you will find the answer is "to Sunday School." Won't you come learn with us?
Blessings,
Tracy