You Killed Sunday School [Part 1] | Are small groups and Sunday schoolrelated?

"You killed Sunday school!" was the angry response I once received from a church attender who was upset about our ministry team's decision to offer small groups as our primary environment for Christian education and discipleship.  I invited her to unpack her thoughts and feelings.  As part of our conversation, I asked her what exactly it was, that she was hoping people would learn as a result of being in Sunday school.  She listed a number of things from Bible memorization to church doctrine.  I proceeded to share with her how all the items she listed were included in the group opportunities we were planning to host.  We left on good terms, but I don't think she was completely convinced.  After my conversation with her, I wondered how many times throughout history did someone say "You killed Sunday school!"  A quick glance at the history of Sunday school reveals that Sunday school has developed and changed a number of ways over the years.

History of Sunday School

(A quick summary)

Sunday school actually began in the late 1700s and was created as an actual academic learning experience for children (and  some adults) who were lacking opportunity for formal education due to a long six-day workweeks where both adults and children often worked more than 12 hours a day!  Sunday school (also known as "Sabbath school")  was created and hosted by churches as a way of fighting illiteracy.  Children and adults could learn academic skills related to reading, writing, and arithmetic on their day off (Sunday).  Of course, along with academic education, came instruction related to the Bible and church doctrine.  In many cases churches actually built school buildings to house their "Sabbath" schools.  Later in the 1800s, state academic institutions began to be established and child labor laws were also established to limit the number of hours children could work.  These factors and more, contributed to changes related to the need for Sunday school education.  By the late 1870's  weekday schooling was established and the need for academic Sunday school was diminished.  Religious eduction was the primary piece that remained.

What we see in this brief overview is that, Sunday school was created as a way of sharing the gospel and providing religious education to people while addressing a societal need.  The gospel and religious education was coupled with the want and need for academic education.  In essence, Sunday schools, like modern-day interest based small groups, was the church's Spirit led success at finding and creating cultural inroads for sharing the Gospel and providing christian discipleship.  The Spirit of God is still leading the church to innovate and create culturally relevant programs and ministries that meet people where they are, yet help them understand and embrace the Gospel.  Good churches then, are churches that are willing to "kill" programs and ministries, as well as "birth" new ways of ministering to and meeting people's physical, social, emotional and spiritual needs.

When you look at the history of Sunday school in this light it is easier to accept that small groups are in line with the development of ways or opportunities to share the gospel, disciples believers and provide christian instruction and education.  In this line of thinking, it's not Small groups verses Sunday School.  Instead the question should be what is the best way for our church to meet people's needs (physical, emotional, social and spiritual) while (or so that) we can also share the Gospel, educate and disciple them?


What are your thoughts?

What innovative thing do you believe the church should employ to both meet people's needs and share the Gospel / Disciple them?