Sunday Schools and Bible Class Work
Section 1. SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
FORK among children will always occupy an important place in the thought and interests of a minister’s life. A Scottish shepherd was once asked how he was able to produce so fine a breed of sheep, and he answered, ‘By taking care of the lambs.’
It is of course important that the minister should become imbued with a strong conviction of the value and importance of Sunday School work, for apart from such convictions very little will be done. It is a great mistake to think that ‘anything will do’ for Sunday Schools, and it is this attitude that leads many people to describe as “Sunday School’ something that stands for what is essentially weak, poor, and almost worthless.
The purpose of Sunday School work should be regarded as that of personal influence rather than education. A good deal of unfair criticism is directed against Sunday Schools because they do not teach and instruct, though a little thought should suggest that something like one hour a week, with many influences working in the opposite direction, would not be regarded by any educationist as adequate to the work of instruction. Let us by all means provide the very best intellectual opportunities we can obtain, but when everything has been said, Sunday School work will be largely that of personal impression and — inspiration rather than that which is purely intellectual and educative.
A minister’s association with Sunday Schools will necessarily take a variety of forms. First of all, he will endeavour to visit his Sunday Schools regularly, and see for himself what is going on. Superintendents and teachers will be glad to have him open or close sessions of the school, and to get in touch with the actual work. Then he will make a special point of knowing the Sunday School teachers and doing his utmost to work for them and with them.
In some Churches a Teachers’ Training Class has proved an important adjunct to Sunday School work. Such a class is useful in directing the teachers to the best available helps, while the wide reading of the minister or other leader should supplement them. ‘The special denominational papers containing Sunday School lesson material, or such a weekly paper as The Sunday School Times of Philadelphia, will do their part in aiding both the leader of this preparation class and the teachers. “The class also gives an opportunity for the discussion of those questions which arise in the minds of all who would teach with faithfulness and true understanding. To it can be brought also the questions and problems of scholars who ‘want to know.’
Where a competent layman is not available to act as Superintendent of the Sunday School it may be necessary for the minister to undertake this work himself. While it will mean a great deal of time and a large amount of hard work,
time and labour will be well spent on so valuable an aid to the work of the Church.
The elder scholars may be formed into Bible classes, and if separate rooms are available it will be all the better for teachers and scholars during the presentation of the lesson. These classes will, however, naturally be regarded as an integral part of the Sunday School as all gather together for the opening and closing exercises. Such Bible classes often result in a large proportion of the young people being retained in the congregation during those trying years of growth and development.
The Children’s Sermon is an indispensable and fruitful feature in many Churches. Apart from the value of the fiveminute address on some subject appropriate to the little ones, with the use, it may be, of an object-lesson, the attendance at church for a part of the service forms a connecting link between the Sunday School and congregation, so that later on
SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND BIBLE CLass Work 215
children naturally remain for the whole service. This important sermonette takes time and trouble in preparation, and for some pastors it is not easy to adapt themselves to the mental capacity of young children. Yet, with the study of books of simple addresses to the young, there will usually come an ease of expression as experience is gained. It is often found, moreover, that the adults are reached by the child-like messages with their simple illustrations and pointed truths, so skilfully applied as to be inferred rather than dogmatically stated. A children’s hymn may be sung before the address, and one of a more congregational nature afterwards, during the last verse of which the children leave the front of the church to go home or to join their parents in the pews,
SECTION 2. BIBLE CLASSES.
Among the many departments of work that of Bible Classes stands pre-eminent. Such classes provide a fine opportunity for positive teaching, as well as for free, frank discussion among those who often wish to know about points raised in sermons which obviously cannot be discussed in church. Bible classes also have a real importance in connexion with the minister’s reading, for if he is responsible for teaching or conducting a class he is compelled to study in preparation for it. “Then again, Bible classes will do much to keep the methods of work on spiritual lines, for with strong Bible work there will be scarcely any room for mere ephemeral work.
A. Men’s Classes.
A clerical friend of mine was never tired of emphasizing the special importance of work among men as likely to be more fruitful than anything else, because when the men are won the wives and children will almost always be influenced. There is a greath deal of force in this contention. In any case, a men’s Bible class will prove of great value and spiritual blessing.
A preliminary step in organizing this work is that of advertising the meetings. In commencing the class it is well to start punctually and close on the hour. ‘The men ought to be able to depend upon this at subsequent meetings. “The gatherings should be made as hearty as possible by a greeting at the opening and a handshake at the close.
It is very important to work through a committee of men themselves. This committee, consisting of some of the earnest members, will undertake a great deal of the work of organization.
The leader in charge should make a point of preparing with the utmost thoroughness for this work, putting his very best into it, and sparing no time or trouble to make himself efficient and proficient.
The subjects of the Class should be varied as much as possible. Sometimes a course may be given on some book, or part of a book of the Bible. Genesis, Joshua, the Fourth Gospel, and Acts, lend themselves particularly to this method. At any time a series of biographical studies will be interesting. The characters of the Old Testament are of perennial fascination. Yet again, a series of topics dealing with current difficulties and problems: Why we believe in God; in Christ; in the Bible; in the Church.
Opportunity should be given for discussion at these Classes, care being taken to keep it as pertinent as possible, but the fact that discussion is invited will prove of great service in letting it be known that difficulties are not shirked.
The visitation of the men in their homes during the evenings of the week will prove of material assistance and support to the class.
A social gathering, occasionally, on a week evening, especially at the opening of an autumn season, or the commencement of a New Year will be useful, care being taken that the items given are in strict harmony with the character and purpose of the Bible class.
B. Women’s Classes.
A great deal that has been said about method for organizing men’s classes applies equally as well here. In some churches several classes for women could be organized and may be led by the minister’s wife. or any capable women of
SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND BIBLE Criass WorK 217
the congregation. Different churches have different needs for such classes. Sometimes a class is provided for the young unmarried women who have attained the age when Sunday School is considered ‘too juvenile.’ One for the married women may also be arranged, in which their particular needs and problems may be met and discussed. But whether one class or several be organized, clear, definite teaching along Biblical lines is an absolute essential and needs constant emphasis. A consecrated, womanly leader, ready with sympathy, instruction and helpfulness, will do much to create an abiding influence.
Bible classes should not be mere talks or addresses. As Dr. H. Clay Trumbull has well said, telling is not teaching, for teaching is ‘causing another to learn.’ This thought should be borne in mind in all Bible class effort. Whatever be the subject of the class we must never forget that it is intended for definite, thorough instruction in the Scriptures,