Spiritual Deficit
“Worship is essential; Sunday School is optional!”
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Jesus, John 4.24 (KJV)
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Paul, 2 Timothy 2.15 (KJV)
There may be a move afoot to better understand choices Christians are making—especiallyas it relates to our commitment to Sunday School and worship. Older members must attest that things differ from what they were when you were growing up. There were few options for social interaction. The church was the center of our communities. In the 1950s and 1960s, most things revolved around the church.
The Black Church competes with many factors that offer a different attractiveness to all of us. Years ago, other than essential businesses, other businesses opened after 12:00 noon. They respected worship times. Today, Chick-Fil-A maintains a strict policy of not being opened on Sundays. Other businesses are open on Sundays and events are scheduled on Wednesday evenings, usually a time reserved as sacred for those who attend church activities.
Reflecting upon our recent discussions, I offer another perspective to consider. Maybe people see Sunday School as optional because there is not a deep, passionate desire to study and know God’s Word. We worship because God deserves the honor that worship brings. We study God’s word to be effective in living for Christ. It’s easy to compromise our faith when we are not active learners of God’s Word. The Sunday School has been that foundational institution to the Christian faith. It is the most consistent ministry in our church that all members should attend.
In Alabama, it is estimated that 75% of African American adults are Christians. There is no real understanding how many of those regularly attend Sunday School. However, it is speculated that, because of the commitment to the Christian faith, people are supportive of all aspects of church life. Individual congregations who are seeing a decline in Sunday School know that people are making the choice to attend worship and not Sunday School.
Because some people see Sunday School as optional, ministries are operating at a spiritual deficit. I contend that if Christians do not understand the significance of Sunday School and are active learners, they may not fully understand what goes on in worship.
Although worship is essential, to fully understand why we worship, knowing God’s Word is more essential. Therefore, Sunday School shouldn’t be optional, but primary. It is through Sunday School we learn the basic tenets of faith, properly understand the significance of God’s Word, see and experience the value of Christian fellowship in a less formal setting, and develop deeper Christian relationships with other believers.
We should not “throw out the baby with the bathwater” simply for the sake of convenience. We need to sacrifice and effectively and consistently learn God’s Word. Equally, the church has a responsibility to make Sunday School and worship desirable and welcoming places for everyone. We also need to educate our members on the importance of Sunday School as it relates to their Christian walk. That requires an investment of time, resources, and creativity by leaders and organizers of the two essential components of our Christian faith—worship and Christian learning in the Sunday School.
Amen.
