Sunday School: It Really Is a Wonderful Life
Every Christmas season, thousands of people watch once again the nostalgic movie "It's a Wonderful Life." The hero, George Bailey, faces economic ruin in a depression-era scene. Frustrated, George attempts suicide in an icy river. He is rescued by an angel who is trying to earn his wings. The angel takes George through the community to see what life in Bedford Falls would have been like had George never been born.
What if, throughout history, there had been no Sunday School? What might have been the results? What if, right now, your church had no Bible study ministry? Would anyone miss it?
Just for fun (and perhaps in some seriousness), take a journey through your own Bedford Falls. See what might have happened had there been no Sunday School. Like George, you may be surprised at the differences your life and ministry has made and is making in the lives of people.
My Personal Journey
My Bedford Falls is a small rural church that was started in a schoolhouse many years ago. Had there been no Sunday School, my church would never have been started in the first place. Without Sunday School there might have been no organized visitation effort to get my family and our neighbors enrolled and involved.
It is possible that no one would have invited my parents and my brothers and sisters to Bible study. Without Sunday School, I might not have learned about God or begun my journey with Him through Jesus Christ.
If my personal journey is typical, then we can celebrate that many people first learn about and begin their journey of faith because of Sunday School ministry.
Purpose
Continuing in our stops along this journey, it's possible to assume that without Sunday School the purpose of any church's ministry might be limited. Without evangelistic Bible study as the primary reason for having small groups, classes might evolve into groups that have no purpose. Soon such classes might substitute other things for a study of God's Word. They might become like social clubs, or easily follow the whims of the most current religious fad.
Organization and Fellowship
Without Sunday School, there might have been no organizational stackpole around which to provide educational ministries in the church. Would members meet in one large group for worship and Bible study? Would we feel increasingly disconnected because we have no small group in which to express care for one another and have fellowship together?
If there were no Sunday School, would we struggle with our identity within the church? There might not be age-appropriate studies for preschoolers or children. Youth would have little group identity, making it even more difficult to keep teens involved in church. Adults would miss bonding with people they need and who have similar needs.
Life-Changing Bible Study
Without Sunday School, there might have been far less life-changing Bible study. Without small-group interaction, people might have been deprived of Bible study that relates to their unique needs. They would miss the opportunity to participate, to comment, to ask questions, and to share experiences and life needs; without these experiences, would Bible study have as much impact?
There might have been no organized, systematic Bible study that ensures a good foundation for childhood and new believers, no plan to cover all sections of God's Word. Members would have missed the benefit of a balanced curriculum of study that gives opportunity to explore the Old and New Testaments and that focuses uniquely on the life and ministry of Jesus.
Discipleship and Growth
Without Sunday School, where would discipleship growth be? New believers would not be able to connect regularly with a small group of believers for encouragement and spiritual development.
Had there been no Sunday School, I know I could not have grown as a believer. I would have missed that special Sunday School teacher in college; that construction worker/teacher who taught and modeled for me what it means to follow Christ; and the fellow Sunday School member who showed me what it means to minister to human need.
Who would you have missed knowing had there been no Sunday School in your personal history?
Ministry
Where would caring ministry be without Sunday School? When we face life's crises, who would be there to minister and care for us?
While writing this article, I was reminded yet again of that dimension of Sunday School ministry. My men's Bible study class met for breakfast at a nearby restaurant. It provided an opportunity for us to encourage one of our members whose wife had recently died of cancer. We provided time for him to talk about his experience. We gave him some books to read.
Local and Global Outreach
Without Sunday School, local and global outreach would suffer. Through Sunday School visitation teams, women and men are visiting neighbors and meeting people who live in the community. Through mission teams Sunday School members reach around the world. Through travel and the Internet, members of today's Bible study groups are connecting worldwide.
Accountability
Think of Sunday School in terms of accountability. Without it we would lack a good mechanism to keep up with one another and to encourage one another to good works (see Heb. 10:24).
Do I matter to anyone? some people wonder. In functioning Bible study groups everyone matters. We express interest and support in times of crises. We celebrate together ordinary experiences of daily life.
Without a Bible study group, who would go with me on my spiritual journey? Who would call to ask, "How are you doing?" Who would be concerned about how things are going for me in my work and personal life?
Does Sunday School Make a Difference?
Like George Bailey when he regained his senses and saw Bedford Falls in a new light, I feel exuberant about today's Sunday School. Sunday School really is a wonderful life and ministry with which to be involved!
Keith Wilkinson is retired State Sunday School Director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
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