Peter, “with many other words he solemnly testified and
kept on exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse
generation!" So then, those who had
received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three
thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the
apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts
2:40-42).”
How important is Sunday School to you?
The Apostles had been
chosen by Jesus to carry on the message of the Kingdom of God and they had been
commissioned and empowered to do so. Now
they had 3000 new disciples who most likely had never even known the teachings
of Jesus. It was now time to put into
practice what Jesus had poured into them over the last three years.
Jesus in the Great
Commissioning in Matthew 28:20 called us to teach “them to observe all that I
commanded you.” This task is an
impossible task if done from the pulpit alone.
The new disciples wanted all they could get, which is a true sign of a
believer, many would be leaving Jerusalem soon to go back home with nothing
more than the verbal teachings of the Apostles. These new believers were
devoting themselves to the teachings of the Apostles to get as much as they
could. They would meet in fellowship to
learn and discuss how to practically live out the Christian life.
Folks, this is the
purpose of Sunday School, to grow people to be just like Jesus. Sunday School is not a program,
but a part of the process of discipleship.
In our Worship service we learn to love God, in our Sunday School classes we
learn to love people the way God loves us.
You build relationships in Sunday School you don’t have time to build in
Worship. Intimacy with God is built upon
in Worship; intimacy with people is built within Sunday School.
Sunday School provides age appropriate study
of the Scriptures and personal application, a platform to serve through
teaching and administration, training for Christian growth, and a sense of
belonging, fellowship and accountability.
Teachers take your duty
seriously for the Word of God proclaims those who wish to teach will be judged
more strictly (James 3:1). Be on time if
not a few minutes early just in case.
Students keep in mind that those who teach
you will be judged as such, respect them for their time and effort they put
into their study for your benefit, you to shall stand
before God to give an account (Romans 14:12). Students, young and old, be on
time invest in your teacher, pray for them, encourage them by being there,
invite others and bring your Bibles.
I am making the commitment to support my
Sunday School Teacher in prayer and attendance. He works hard to provide a good
meal of the Word for me and my Wife. Do
the same.
Blessings,
Pastor Eric
