Sunday School

the church community is constantly trying to find ways to make our gatherings more effective...we study cultural trends, use surveys etc...

the goal and definition of "effective" can differ: for instance, at one end of the spectrum is a service that is designed for unbelievers to feel comfortable...and at the other end is a service that caters to the believers needs without regard to a visitor...i am sure most of us fall somewhere in the middle...biblically our assembly should have a definite lean towards the fellowship and edification of the believers thru prayer and bible teaching...i do not believe the assembly gathering (service) should cater to what lost people might find more appealing...i digress since this is not the thrust of my thoughts...

most of us have grown up as "double dippers" on sunday mornings...i spent a few years as a quadruple dipper during the week...music-teaching in sunday school and music-teaching in the service...hence the term, "double dipper"...

and many times again on sunday night, and again on wednesday evenings...it is not until recently that we have began to change this pattern...we have found that we can spend some of our time in different more effective ways...small groups, elective studies...and even cancelling gathering for family time due to busy american schedules...oh there is a topic my typers could exhaust, however afterward they would need to be in spain for a siesta...anyway...

small groups is the most common diversion from this pattern...and rightly so...we have figured out that people can be edified thru these groups AND we can assimilate unbelievers into our fellowship because these groups are much more conducive to social norms...whereas a service can be socially odd to "outsiders" for many reasons, a small group is much more warm and inviting...however, these groups might not be the best setting for teaching the bible, but more so for fellowship?...

so where does sunday school fit in...what should it look like?...should it be a mini service, or resemble a small group...to me, i do not really care...i do not have an opinion...my only concern is that the bible is taught...

i missed the 75th anniversary celebration at HSBC...i wanted to make it but could not...i was told about a old newspaper add that was displayed in the hall of hsbc history...framed was an add the Earl Smith put in the news-leader for his sunday school class...granted it was a different time, BUT STILL...that is AWESOME!...and the phrase, "BRING YOUR BIBLE" was a main part of the add...he wanted people to bring it because he used it...and taught it...

i hope and pray that the teaching-learning the bible remains the central theme of our fellowship...the unifying force and edification of believers is the Holy Spirit teaching/applying the Word of God in our lives...

later from 3rd St.