It Takes a Village

Well, actually it takes a Church. But as often happens with false ideas and philosophies, Hillary brushed up against the truth while promoting her particular distortion of it. We are not meant to live in isolation as individuals or even as families. As image-bearers of a Triune God, we are communal by nature and we reach our fullest potential when we make the most of the gifts, wisdom and service of our Christian brothers and sisters. This is particularly true in the area of raising our children.

All of us parents become weary at times, and most of us have experienced times when our children weren't anxious to receive our counsel. The larger family of God can contribute significantly to the Christian discipleship of our children, alleviating the illusion that it all relies on us. Of course, we know that their remaining faithful requires a work of the Holy Spirit, but we also know that this work most often, if not always, comes to them through other believers - parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers, elders, pastors, friends, etc.

Add that reality to the vows we take every time one of our little ones is baptized, and it's easy to see why we adults in the body of Christ should be committed to serving these children in a ministry such as Sunday school.

The primary purpose of Sunday school is to lead our students toward an increasingly thorough and mature understanding of, and faith in, the words and works of the Triune God; and to encourage them to demonstrate this understanding and faith through a life of self-sacrificial service, for the redemption of the world and for the building up of the body of Christ.

Our goal for each student is in keeping with Solomon's for his son:

"To know wisdom and instruction;

to understand words of insight,

to receive instruction in wise dealing,

in righteousness, justice and equity;

to give prudence to the simple,

knowledge and understanding to the youth."

Proverbs 2:1-4

Wisdom...there's a fairly lofty goal! How do we attain something so high? Well, we have to start somewhere and again, Solomon instructs us:

"The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom..."

Proverbs 9:10

This is where we begin: with the fear of Yahweh. In order to instill this in our children, they must begin to know him - his ways, his works, his character. Where else will they come to know him except through his Word...his divine revelation of himself.

"Yahweh gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

Proverbs 2:6

Wisdom is a gift of God and it comes from his mouth. At the risk of stating the obvious, then, the path that will lead our children toward wisdom is the Word of God, whereby they hear him, know him, fear him and trust him.

Keep in mind that we are not primarily concerned with teaching doctrinal statements or systematic theologies, but the ways, works and faithfulness of the Lord as manifest in the Holy Scriptures. Systematic theologies can be a helpful tool for organizing and teaching major doctrines, but the primacy of the Word of God must be stressed, with all doctrinal systems subject to its scrutiny.

What are the responsibilities of Sunday School teachers in this mission of leading our children toward wisdom?

1. Remember the goal. As you teach, keep in mind that your role is to cultivate faith and Christian maturity through God's Word. That overarching goal will inform your approach and emphasis as you teach.

2. Teach the Word. Our children need to learn the whole counsel of God: Old, New, stories, genealogies, poetry, history, exhortation, reproof, rebuke, doctrine, correction, instruction in righteousness, encouragement, etc. The curriculum we have chosen to use at our church, systematically teaches through both the Old and New testaments, varying the focus depending on the students' ages.

3. Know your significance. What you are doing is no less than planting, nourishing, and watering seeds of faith! You are furthering and strengthening the Kingdom of Christ! You are equipping the saints for ministry! These are no small potatoes, folks! As Louis Berkhof says, "We must employ all the means at our command to unfold before their very eyes the treasures of divine grace of which they are heirs in Jesus Christ."

4. Know your limitations. Even though your task is enormously important, you are only one piece of the larger puzzle which comprises their discipleship. Parents, school teachers and pastors are also contributing. Attainment of wisdom doesn't happen in one year! It is the work of a lifetime.

5. Embody the Gospel. Love your students. Students listen more carefully when they know they are loved. Besides a loving demeanor on Sundays, other simple acts can communicate that you care about them. Write a note every now and then and send it to their home, letting them know you are thinking about and praying for them. Each year, plan 1 or 2 activities outside of classtime where you can get to know them in a different setting. Show up to the classroom early on Sundays to listen and talk. All of these things can be done without creating an undue burden on the teacher.

So, you see, we all need each other within the Body of Christ. It takes all of us working together to provide the greatest opportunity for our children to grow to maturity.

It also requires something of our children. I'll talk more about that next time.