Copyright Glory of Christ Fellowship
Sunday School is an opportunity for us as a church to function as the “pillar and buttress of truth” described in 1 Timothy. It is also a way for the church to function as the extended household/family of God. As the old saying goes: “it takes a community to raise a child,” Sunday school is essentially driven by the two fold conviction that we are utilizing the gifts and members of the family of God to offer clear Bible teaching for the glory of God and the good of the next generation!
At Glory of Christ we use curriculum developed by Children Desiring God, which was developed for all of the classroom use at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. The focus of each lesson of each curriculum is on God, highlighting the greatness and worth of his awesome character. All of the volunteers are qualified and screened and are gifted at working with children. More importantly, each volunteer loves Jesus and loves to put him on display as the almighty and loving Savior whom the children can build their lives upon.
Any child or teen coming to a class at GCF is encouraged to bring their Bible with them. We encourage each child to build Godly relationships with each other and grow in their knowledge and love of God’s word. Each classroom strives to be a dynamic and age appropriate setting in which children look forward to coming to!
In these ages the children are exposed to Old and New Testament stories in order to build a foundation of Bible knowledge. We teach the stories chronologically with the emphasis on the character and work of God. We avoid reducing the stories down to moralistic lessons primarily because God’s revelation focuses on our need for a Savior and God’s gracious and loving offer through his Son, Jesus Christ. For example, the well-known story about David and Goliath emphasizes God’s faithfulness to his people and God’s power to deliver his people from their enemies, not on David’s courage and bravery.
By teaching the lessons chronologically the unified story of the Bible begins to unfold for children. In this case it is easier for them to grasp God’s faithfulness, his wisdom, his love and his patience with his people who repeatedly reject him. Through the unfolding story of the Bible, children can begin to grasp their need of a Savior as well as see Jesus as the all sufficient God who forgives sin and reconciles them to God. Good morals flow out of a growing understanding of a loving God!
Did you know that the Bible has over 200 names for God? The truth is, in the Hebrew language there are many unique names that are simply translated as “Lord” in English. Unfortunately, what we miss are all of the amazing characteristics of God that are reflected in each of his names. Our study this year is on the names of God and it is titled: “How Majestic Is Your Name.” Some examples are: Jehovah-Rophe (The Lord our Healer), Adonai (Lord, Master), and Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord our Provider).
In addition to learning the attributes of God through his names in the Old Testament the children are encouraged in the classroom to take responsibility for helping each other, particularly the older with the younger. The age gap gives the older children an opportunity to be role models and the younger children an opportunity to look up to them.
Sunday school is designed to teach solid, God-centered theology. At GCF we love the Bible and we look to it as God's authoritative word to us and the light that gives direction to our feet. Thus, we seek to teach it and engage teens in the studying of it. We encourage parents to love God's word so that they will teach their son or daughter to live by it. We pray that God will help us to lead the next generation into a deeper knowledge and understanding of His life-giving word.
There is more gender confusion today than perhaps any other period of American history. The curriculum we will be studying is titled "Rejoicing in God's Good Design." This study is designed to lead the learner to Scriptures where they can gain clarity and insight on what God has to say about masculinity and femininity. The study comes complete with a student journal that is intended to be used outside of class. Parents are encouraged to follow up with their son/daughter.
Glory of Christ Fellowship is a daughter church of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN, and a member of the Treasuring Christ Together Network.