The Bible does not put students to sleep so that they fall off their chairs like Eutychus! Teachers put students to sleep. So do monotonous and empty curriculums. Many Sunday School materials for younger children are introducing the same pabulum as we are seeing in adult Sunday School lessons. Ideas not necessarily laid out in the Bible, such as diversity culture (especially that which is inclusive of cult religions and immoral lifestyles) and majority rule (in the aspect of give the people what they want) are often brought in as social tools. Sometimes the material is just intended to be concurrent with society in order to avoid friction, adopting the modern culture of offending no one.
My observation is that many teachers do not themselves know what they believe and should be teaching. Let me recommend that any teacher of the Bible start by reading John Walvoord’s book, What We Believe. This easy to understand book lays out the basic lessons of who is God, why the Bible is a book to believe in, who Jesus is, and His redemption for us. It concludes with lessons about what salvation leads to and the eternal hope of the believer. These are necessary primary tenets of the Bible’s message. This is the least of what we need to teach.
Today’s Sunday School children come home with pretty pictures of God’s love, of rainbows and “Son-shine” but not of God’s power, His purpose, or His redemption. One particular publishing company has removed all materials for children under 12 that refer to Jesus’ shed blood and suffering on the cross, citing that it is too graphic for young children. So this company relates the story that Jesus “passed away” to go to heaven and wait for us. In one fell swoop, they have removed the entire story of God’s plan for redemption. How then can a child learn why Jesus was born? With what arrogance do we dare change the story? Ponder the long term effects of this omission!
What has happened? I see a tendency to put aside the Bible for lessons that are more glamorous, fun, lively, or ones that use up more time on crafts. Why? The obvious first reason is laziness. It takes an interested and prepared teacher to deliver quality lessons that include historical details and human sketches about the main character.
The second reason, and possibly the more insidious, is that churches are buffering themselves against friction, offense, and controversy. New lessons are created to keep the young students active but not inquisitive. Too many questions bring up too many possibilities for controversy. Some classes are designed to wear the children out so that Mom and Dad have a pleasant afternoon while little Johnny naps. New lessons aren’t bad unless their purpose is flawed. I think we are seeing too much of the latter.
The Sunday School ought to be the truth serum for every child. My future columns will address some ideas and lessons for teaching Sunday School material that leads a child to more advanced learning in older years where doctrine should be the emphasis.
Eutychus and His Kin Articles:
- Becoming a Great Teacher – May 30, 2005
- Visual Symbols – June 30, 2005
- Parental Involvement – July 30, 2005
- Biblical Biographies – August 30, 2005
- Object Lessons – September 30, 2005
- Thanksgiving – November 30, 2005
- Keeping Christ in Christmas – December 30, 2005
- Classroom Rules – January 30, 2006
- Teaching by Exposition – February 28, 2006
- Consider the Context – March 30, 2006
- The In-House Field Trip – April 30, 2006
- Opinion vs. Fact – May 30, 2006
- Imagination and Illustrations – June 30, 2006
- Expositional Learning – July 30, 2006
- Children are Literal – August 30, 2006
- Keeping Pure – September 30, 2006
- Send in the Frogs – October 30, 2006
- Distorted Christians – October 30, 2006
- Lydia – November 30, 2006
- Stories of Christmas Carols – December 30, 2006
- Wise and Foolish Man – January 30, 2007
- Archaeology and the Bible – February 28, 2007
- Choosing Your Author – March 30, 2007
- Teaching the Obvious – April 30, 2007
- Concrete Examples – May 30, 2007
- Explaining the Gospel – June 30, 2007
- Begin with Praise – July 30, 2007
- The Value of Life – August 30, 2007
- Begging the Question – September 30, 2007
- Repetition and Memorization – October 30, 2007
- A Summary of Eutychus and His Kin – November 30, 2010