Adult Sunday School?

[JohnR7]

On 9/24/2022 at 7:49 AM, Dennis1209 said:

I would like to direct this two-part question to those that regularly attend Sunday church worship services but never attend adult Sunday School

Some churches have what they call a home church. They provide child care, there is usually a brief bible study, maybe 10 min and a time to pray for the needs. Most of the time is open discussion and conversation. 

You do not have to look any further than the name: "Sunday school". What people need is fellowship and a chance to discuss the issues they are dealing with in life. There are fellowship dinners, but you do not talk about your problems in life there. 

Bible studies are fine, but they do not replace open discussion groups. Where people can go to talk about their problems and get the support and help they need from fellow christians. 

[The_Patriot21]

It's because most people don't go to Church to worship, but rather to either fulfill some sort of duty or as a status symbol. i.e. either to make a spouse or other family member happy, or so they can tell their friends they're good people because they attend church.

As such, since their goal isn't to learn anything or worship Christ, there really isn't any point in getting up any earlier when simply attending church service fulfills their obligation, so they might as well stay home and sleep in a little bit.

[Dennis1209]

14 hours ago, Starise said:

I usually attend my church's Sunday school which is at 9:30. They dismiss around  10:15 for church. There are currently 3 Sunday school classes on different things.

I was attending one class but had an interest in a class on leadership, so I may change to that one. Classes don't run all year, often breaking for a time every year.

Pros- Classes are interactive for the most part. I like to hear all ideas on a given text. We have pretty good teachers which leads me to the cons.

Cons- I wish I could teach some time because it makes me study more. So far there seem to only be three teachers. Even if I didn't teach, it would be nice to have some kind of a rotation to give other men a chance at it. I taught years ago and I enjoyed it.

I was not going to divulge my particulars, but it relates to your thoughts. Annually at our church, they set out a list of positions (everything from Music Director to Ushers) to be filled. I have always volunteered for maintenance.

Our Sunday School teacher is also my closest neighbor up the road. Since I have attended my church, there has never been an assistant Sunday School Leader, and no one would step up to fill the position. I thought it would be a good gesture to fill in for him should he get sick or not be there some Sunday, so I signed the vacancy for the assistant.

Shortly after, he informed me of how things used to be; the assistant filled in every fourth Sunday. He is the type of guy that beats around the bush, drops hints, and seldom directly asks anything (timid).

He recently retired and gets worn out helping his son farm their land and other projects. Long story short, I am not complaining nor making any assumptions. He is retiring from some positions he has held for a very long time, no doubt age-related, and helping his son farm.

Hints are now coming, “I thought about calling you to fill in because of this or that.” I almost asked if he would speak his mind plainly, but I did not want to respond to what I perceived was coming. As you appropriately mention, there’s more to Sunday School than just reading aloud the formatted Lifeway adult lesson (or whatever structure is utilized). I spend hours studying and preparing to present the lesson each fourth Sunday. Guess what this morning is and whose turn it is.

Oddly enough, about my thoughts and this conversation, our lesson this morning will be James 3:1-5, 9-10, 13-18.

James 3:1 (KJV) My brethren, be not many masters (teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. [emphasis mine]

Being a Sunday School Leader, inserting your hermeneutics, and answering any questions is a responsibility to be held accountable. I want to avoid a “greater condemnation.” As with pastors, I also think this is a calling from God, and I do not hear a calling to do this. I also tend to add to the lesson by giving additional information about the people, places, and history not covered in the lesson outline.

To summarize, this is developing into something I did not imagine or consider. Not to mention I have a slight phobia of standing before an audience and speaking, but I manage to work through it when necessary. When it comes to church matters, it is hard for me to say no, or let me think about it.

I want to duck out of this commitment, to be honest. If the Lord is leading me in this direction, and I do not feel that, I desire to be obedient. My mind and history tell me you have no business being a Sunday School Leader. It is never pleasant to publicly air out any of my dirty laundry, but it is appropriate to my thoughts.

Because of my history, mistakes, sins, and backsliding, I failed miserably and forfeited the privilege and qualifications for any church leadership (1 Timothy 3:8-13). I think that would also include Sunday School leadership.

Numbers 32:23 (KJV) But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

To avoid this progression, I best have a conversation with our Pastor or bow out without explanation.

[Alive]

5 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

I was not going to divulge my particulars, but it relates to your thoughts. Annually at our church, they set out a list of positions (everything from Music Director to Ushers) to be filled. I have always volunteered for maintenance.

Our Sunday School teacher is also my closest neighbor up the road. Since I have attended my church, there has never been an assistant Sunday School Leader, and no one would step up to fill the position. I thought it would be a good gesture to fill in for him should he get sick or not be there some Sunday, so I signed the vacancy for the assistant.

Shortly after, he informed me of how things used to be; the assistant filled in every fourth Sunday. He is the type of guy that beats around the bush, drops hints, and seldom directly asks anything.

He recently retired and gets worn out helping his son farm their land and other projects. Long story short, I am not complaining nor making any assumptions. He is retiring from some positions he has held for a very long time, no doubt age-related, and helping his son farm.

Hints are now coming, “I thought about calling you to fill in because of this or that.” I almost asked if he would speak his mind plainly, but I did not want to respond to what I perceived was coming. As you appropriately mention, there’s more to Sunday School than just reading aloud the formatted Lifeway adult lesson (or whatever structure is utilized). I spend hours studying and preparing to present the lesson each fourth Sunday. Guess what this morning is and whose turn it is.

Oddly enough, about my thoughts and this conversation, our lesson this morning will be James 3:1-5, 9-10, 13-18.

James 3:1 (KJV) My brethren, be not many masters (teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. [emphasis mine]

Being a Sunday School Leader, inserting your hermeneutics, and answering any questions is a responsibility to be held accountable. I want to avoid a “greater condemnation.” As with pastors, I also think this is a calling from God, and I do not hear a calling to do this. I also tend to add to the lesson by giving additional information about the people, places, and history not covered in the lesson outline.

To summarize, this is developing into something I did not imagine or consider. Not to mention I have a slight phobia of standing before an audience and speaking, but I manage to work through it when necessary. When it comes to church matters, it is hard for me to say no, or let me think about it.

I want to duck out of this commitment, to be honest. If the Lord is leading me in this direction, and I do not feel that, I desire to be obedient. My mind and history tell me you have no business being a Sunday School Leader. It is never pleasant to publicly air out any of my dirty laundry, but it is appropriate to my thoughts.

Because of my history, mistakes, sins, and backsliding, I failed miserably and forfeited the privilege and qualifications for any church leadership (1 Timothy 3:8-13). I think that would also include Sunday School leadership.

Numbers 32:23 (KJV) But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

To avoid this progression, I best have a conversation with our Pastor or bow out without explanation.

Dennis, may I offer a suggestion?

[Dennis1209]

2 minutes ago, Alive said:

Dennis, may I offer a suggestion?

Of course, but I have to get ready for church now. Be back on later. 

[Alive]

9 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

Of course, but I have to get ready for church now. Be back on later. 

OK…will post later or send a PM.

[Starise]

4 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

I was not going to divulge my particulars, but it relates to your thoughts. Annually at our church, they set out a list of positions (everything from Music Director to Ushers) to be filled. I have always volunteered for maintenance.

Our Sunday School teacher is also my closest neighbor up the road. Since I have attended my church, there has never been an assistant Sunday School Leader, and no one would step up to fill the position. I thought it would be a good gesture to fill in for him should he get sick or not be there some Sunday, so I signed the vacancy for the assistant.

Shortly after, he informed me of how things used to be; the assistant filled in every fourth Sunday. He is the type of guy that beats around the bush, drops hints, and seldom directly asks anything (timid).

He recently retired and gets worn out helping his son farm their land and other projects. Long story short, I am not complaining nor making any assumptions. He is retiring from some positions he has held for a very long time, no doubt age-related, and helping his son farm.

Hints are now coming, “I thought about calling you to fill in because of this or that.” I almost asked if he would speak his mind plainly, but I did not want to respond to what I perceived was coming. As you appropriately mention, there’s more to Sunday School than just reading aloud the formatted Lifeway adult lesson (or whatever structure is utilized). I spend hours studying and preparing to present the lesson each fourth Sunday. Guess what this morning is and whose turn it is.

Oddly enough, about my thoughts and this conversation, our lesson this morning will be James 3:1-5, 9-10, 13-18.

James 3:1 (KJV) My brethren, be not many masters (teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. [emphasis mine]

Being a Sunday School Leader, inserting your hermeneutics, and answering any questions is a responsibility to be held accountable. I want to avoid a “greater condemnation.” As with pastors, I also think this is a calling from God, and I do not hear a calling to do this. I also tend to add to the lesson by giving additional information about the people, places, and history not covered in the lesson outline.

To summarize, this is developing into something I did not imagine or consider. Not to mention I have a slight phobia of standing before an audience and speaking, but I manage to work through it when necessary. When it comes to church matters, it is hard for me to say no, or let me think about it.

I want to duck out of this commitment, to be honest. If the Lord is leading me in this direction, and I do not feel that, I desire to be obedient. My mind and history tell me you have no business being a Sunday School Leader. It is never pleasant to publicly air out any of my dirty laundry, but it is appropriate to my thoughts.

Because of my history, mistakes, sins, and backsliding, I failed miserably and forfeited the privilege and qualifications for any church leadership (1 Timothy 3:8-13). I think that would also include Sunday School leadership.

Numbers 32:23 (KJV) But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

To avoid this progression, I best have a conversation with our Pastor or bow out without explanation.

I have mostly been of the opinion that God puts us where ever we are supposed to be and I seen it as maybe somewhat forward to just walk up and say, " Hey, I wouldn't mind trying this teaching thing". If we look at it through the lens of the bible God puts his men where He wants them, and THIS is mainly why I have held back at putting myself out there as a 'candidate' for that position.

We were taking about David on another thread recently. I am reminded David WAS NOT the man anyone considered for king of Israel. They had to call him from the back pasture after the prophet asked if there were any more sons. 

I am inclined now to believe that often churches are not doing God's will and are building systems, numbers and popularity instead. It is really MEN looking for the person that fits THEIR criteria or what they think a good candidate looks like. In my particular denomination there are all of these hoops to jump through to be approved as any kind of a leader, so for me it'll probably never happen because I'll end up missing a hoop. I might attend a leadership class just to see what the church is all about. Not holding my breath on any teaching positions though. It is too closed of a system there. The church seems to be running who gets to do what. None of the teachers can veer from any of the churches ideas in any way ever. At least that's the way I see it. I understand their stance, but I think they have too many restrictions in place.

My first teaching job I was in my 20's and I remember being so excited about it. I had everything all laid out and ready. Unfortunately that church is now long gone due to an aging membership and no one new joining up. Drove by there the other day. It's someone's house now. The grave yard is still out back with a few of my friends buried in it. I remember standing out back at a few of the funerals. Sad to see how time has changed things there.

As worship leader I began to grow weary over time at one church. Probably no different than any other church ministry where we are counting on people to show up and they don't so we are left holding the bag. This happened to me a lot in worship ministry and I almost cried when I occasionally had a good group or people truly committed.

Now I'm at the other end of that. There are multiple teams and the last thing they are looking for seems to be another leader. TBH things are getting a little too organized for me. I do miss leading worship. If it were not for my wife I would probably be looking for another church, but she really likes the friends she has made. I have made some wonderful friends there too. but she is probably my only reason for not continuing to shop around. I like to see my wife excited and involved in her local church. If that means I fade away into the background, then I guess that's the Lord's plan.

Any time a group of people meet to objectively discuss the bible it's a good thing no matter who is leading UNLESS that person is circumventing ideas due to denominational or ideological restraints. I have seen both pastors and teachers OMIT some key ideas on a text because they didn't want to go where it was going to lead.

I understand we have all made mistakes Dennis. If you are called to teach don't let past mistakes hold you back. OTOH if you don't feel you are a teacher, then it's probably best to decline. I never looked at it like I was revealing anything special or knowledge that anyone can't have access to. I mainly seen myself as a person who was simply trying to bring or remind about what was there.

 

[Sower]

On 9/24/2022 at 12:50 PM, other one said:

Half the time in class we are praying for people who have needs, and the other half we

Same at our church, opening with prayer requests and praise reports (answered prayers)
Afterwords we have our ongoing bible study through the bible. Total about an hour.
I occasionally miss the worship/sermon service. But always make the bible study.
It is like they say, I need to get filled up each week with enough word/spirit to make it till next week.
The fellowship in our men's bible study has had significantly changed my scriptural understanding.
We are free to ask questions, challenge the teacher, or show additional agreement and scriptures.
It keeps me in the word.