A Sunday School Teacher’s Goals

Sunday School can be an entry point for people who don’t yet know the Lord to learn about Him and prayerfully accept Him as their Savior. Most commonly today, it has been the biblical education arm of the Church for the spiritual growth and discipleship of believers. And, it can also be a place for assimilating people into the Church Body. A Sunday School teacher’s goals become clear when considering this potential.

A Sunday School Teacher’s Goals Can Potentially Be Threefold

Since Sunday School can potentially be a place for outreach, Bible teaching, and assimilation, a Sunday School teacher’s goals must reflect these three objectives for Sunday School’s full potential to become a reality.

1. Keep the cross, the Gospel message, central but without coercion or judgment.

If Sunday School is going reach the unsaved, it needs to be a welcoming place where people can safely express their doubts without fear. We must “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect …” (1 Pet. 3:15).

We cannot, however, skirt around people’s greatest need, that of being made right with God. The Gospel is the “power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). God makes it clear that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Rom. 10:17).

Begin with the youngest age to present lessons with the cross at the center. Of Timothy, the Apostle Paul said, “from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:14-15).

2. Provide a systematic approach to learning the Bible that remains relevant to everyday living and hence life-changing.

We must always remember that the Bible is the Text we teach. — “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Through the years, Sunday School curriculum publishers of primarily children’s classes, have used a scope and sequence chart. The idea was that as children progressed through the different classes, content would build upon the previous classes and provide at least a broad systematic coverage of the Word. This acknowledged that “all Scripture … is useful”.

Youth and adult lessons often tended to be more topical, though some curriculum was available that continues a systematic approach. Since the Word remains as that which changes lives, guard against discussions or video presentations with little, if any biblical input.

Sporadic attendance and people attending for the first time at higher age levels makes a systematic approach to learning the Bible difficult today. While teachers shouldn’t spend a lot of time in review of previous lessons, they may need to bridge some gaps. Think of creative ways to lay the groundwork for lessons.

3. Foster a caring environment but do not let the class become ingrown, or cliquish.

Due to its size, a Sunday School class can provide a good place for believers to learn how to relate as “members of one another” (Rom. 12:5), caring for each other in true fellowship and service. If Sunday School, however, is going to assimilate people into the whole Body, it cannot become ingrown, or cliquish. “There should be no schism in the body” (1 Cor. 12:25).

Whether the class turns into a clique within the church or looks outward in terms of fellowship and serving, largely depends on the atmosphere the teacher fosters. Constantly challenge students to remember that they are part of a bigger Body.

For More, Go To: Sunday School Resources