Claude's Clauses
Why Attend Sunday School?
To this question I ask, "Why not attend Sunday School?" Sunday School is not just for children.
Sunday School provides several benefits for all ages.
The following biblical based reasons for attending Sunday School were taken from an article by
Patricia Brand which appeared in the January 2000 issue of The Sunday School Leader.
1. Sunday School Provides a Place of Strength
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us
encourage on another" (Heb. 10:24-25, NIV).
The need for the strength of fellowship is no different today than it was for the
early Christians. Being a member of a Bible study group can encourage believers in
their relationship to Christ, but it also can increase the bond a believer has with
another group of believers who have the same mind in Christ.
2. Sunday School Provides a Place of Knowledge.
"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do
you truly love me more then these?' 'Yes Lord' he said 'you know that I love you.'
Jesus said, 'Feed my Lambs'" (John 21:15, NIV).
Jesus admonished Peter three times to feed his sheep as an act of love. How
important it is for all who were the title Christian to live out what they believe. If we
love the lord, then we need to obey the Lord. To obey the Lord we need to know
His Word of us. Studying the Bible-God's Word-is essential to faith. He speaks to
us through His Word. The more we understand that Word for ourselves, the more
confidently we can obey His commission to "feed" others. An active and vibrant
Bible study class will challenge you to become more proficient in God's Word.
3. Sunday School Provides a Place of Belonging.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people
who are in need. Practice hospitality" (Rom. 12:12-13, NIV).
When believers spend time together, they begin to know one another. Knowing
people's names, their family members, and occupation will lead you to be more apt
to pray and care for those families and encourage them in times of need.
A believer out of fellowship is like a fish out of water, and as such will surely
dry up and die. But with the encouragement of others who do not only love the
Lord, but also love life and give to life, that believer, like a fish in water, will be free.
4. Sunday School Provides a Place of Prayer.
"Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16, NIV).
Prayer is vital to the believer's life. Corporate prayer within the Bible study
classis vital too. Believers gain great strength and comfort when they see that
Christ answers prayer.
The exercise of corporate prayer strengthens not only the one with the request
but also the one who prayed for the request. The two are bound together in Christ.
5. Sunday School Provides a Place of Service.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others
better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but
also the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4, NIV).
We are told over and over in Scripture to share our faith with others
so that those who do not know Christ might have the privilege of
meeting Him. We should seize all opportunity to express God's love.
That love can be expressed through prayer, words of encouragement,
and acts of compassion. A believer can act alone to address the needs of
another, but a special feeling bubbles with in when a person joins with
others to help someone in need, to offer hope, or to pray for others,
Where one person action alone might falter or become discouraged,
within the context of a loving, supportive group that same person can
flourish.
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