A Sunday School First (#1837)

I attended Sunday school class as a child and teenager then after graduating from college transitioned to teaching Sunday school and/or overseeing Sunday school and other discipleship opportunities for people of all ages. Not only have I spent quite a bit of time in Sunday school classrooms, I also wrote my doctoral dissertation on the topic.

For the last 12 weeks, I had the pleasure of teaching a Sunday school class as a volunteer for the first time in my life. My students were also trying something new by combining two classes into one for this learning experience.

Together, we considered some of the many ways the church is changing and is likely to change in the future. Our sessions were inspired by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson’s book Future Faith: 10 Challenges Reshaping Christianity in the 21st Century – a volume I named as one of my top two books of 2018.

So What?

Volunteering is wonderful, life-giving, and essential. It is what allows the local church and so many other organizations to achieve their mission and expand their reach.

I appreciate how the congregations I’ve been a part of help match members and other active participants to roles that utilize their gifts. At First Presbyterian Church this process typically begins before membership and is facilitated by a staff member.

• Share your experiences of Sunday school as a student and, if applicable, as a teacher/facilitator/leader. How have they helped shape your understanding of Christian community? How have they contributed to how you live as a follower of the Way of Jesus?
• Where do you currently volunteer? What is one great aspect of the overall volunteer experience with this organization? What is one area that could be improved?