you might be surprised to know that even **I** have attended Sunday school in my life as well as Bible Camp for one very memorable summer.
i think these days when you attach the word "school" to something it is automatically relegated to the pile of things that people dislike and associate with boredom and busy-work.
small groups, especially ones that are highly focused, organized and place and emphasis on openness and creativity, are much better at delivering messages that stick. in my opinion.
plus, it's easier to take a small group to Six Flags.
i vote small groups. they are more condusive (sp?) to real relationships and fellowship. tho the intent of SS who be to move beyond the walls of the church building on a sunday morning, in reality it rarely does. a SS teacher typically seems themself as just that, a 9-10:30am teacher. a small group leader typically view him/herself as a mentor/discipler, moving beyond that set timeframe. just what ive seem in my few years around the block. --bryan ps - ill comment as often as possible in hopes of giving you a lead against justin.
I vote sunday school because I grew up in sunday school. You can have it on friday night, in an IHOP, for all I care and I am still going to call it sunday school. The time, place, group or name does not have much importance to me. If someone is spiritually hungry, feed them!
It is my job as a youth pastor to find all the hungry people I can feed.:) I Think it is when a person is not as hungry that a restaurant has to worry about names and aesthetics. It is much the same way with the church.
I am all for meeting a "felt need" to draw a person closer to Jesus. So if the person would like to get together at a different time that is fine. I just don't get into all the church rivalry to see who can have the coolest program. It lends it self to trading christians back and forth rather than finding fresh fish. My philosophy is as soon as a group gets large enough to be called a group it should be involved in mission work as much as it is involved in fellowship.
I must admit I haven't attended Sunday school very much since I was in elementary school and jr. high, but I still like the idea of small groups so much better. Not only are you learning about God and His word, but you're also getting more fellowship with His people than you usually do in a regular Sunday school setting.
Good luck with the competition! You should guest star Braelyn a few times, I think Justin's cute kids are giving him an unfair advantage over you ;]
I tend to think that the value is more in what happens in the community, not in the setting itself. I've seen Sunday School groups that foster deep, intimate community, and small groups that are surface encounters serving as religious obligation.
Personally, I've had better encounters in small group settings, which could be due to the relaxed, open setting of an evening in someone's home.
I think the importance is in the people involved being open and honest with one another, studying the Word of God, spurring each other on in the faith, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform them. He can accomplish that work anywhere, at any time.
I know this comment is a little late, but I promised my thoughts.
The question is tricky with the little bit of information you provided. I think it depends on the student population (you did say this was for youth-so I am taking it that direction...)
For instance, at our church, most kids do not have a reliable form of transportation, so the Sunday School hour where their parents are there for church and also their own Sunday school class is the best situation to foster spiritual growth because they will consistently be there.
BUT the very cool thing about home small groups is by the simple fact that they show up means they want to learn, because they went to a place where they would typically otherwise not go at a time they typically are not doing something Church related. So the fact that they came means that they have made a step to learn....
I do have thoughts on this subject, but you already know them...you are my husband after all. And it's late and I don't feel like typing it all out. So I'm really just commenting to give you more comments.
Small groups changed the youth program at my church when they started about eight years ago. It's great to meet at a home. It makes it much more comfortable to bring friends who aren't used to the whole "church" thing.
I am a fan of both personally. I like having Sunday School the same day as church, it is easier than having to be somewhere different days of the week. However, we have homegroup and small groups if you choose to have a more intimate setting which I also like. I think having both options open to you is a good thing. :) JMHO
I prefer small groups or what we call them here in Florida, life groups..ohhhh wowzers, now isn't that clever. Any who, I like the idea that a small group is where everyone is interacting and presenting their own thoughts and opinions rather than have it driven by one person being the teacher in a Sunday School setting. Oh and if you ever want to see true interaction and authenticity, sit in on an AA meeting - awesome experience I recommend to all.
16 comments:
you might be surprised to know that even **I** have attended Sunday school in my life as well as Bible Camp for one very memorable summer.
i think these days when you attach the word "school" to something it is automatically relegated to the pile of things that people dislike and associate with boredom and busy-work.
small groups, especially ones that are highly focused, organized and place and emphasis on openness and creativity, are much better at delivering messages that stick. in my opinion.
plus, it's easier to take a small group to Six Flags.
i vote small groups. they are more condusive (sp?) to real relationships and fellowship. tho the intent of SS who be to move beyond the walls of the church building on a sunday morning, in reality it rarely does. a SS teacher typically seems themself as just that, a 9-10:30am teacher. a small group leader typically view him/herself as a mentor/discipler, moving beyond that set timeframe. just what ive seem in my few years around the block.
--bryan
ps - ill comment as often as possible in hopes of giving you a lead against justin.
yes! i agree with bryan. the mentor idea. also, ss is WAY too early to have real thoughts. so there you go.
you know I am good for a comment!
I vote sunday school because I grew up in sunday school. You can have it on friday night, in an IHOP, for all I care and I am still going to call it sunday school. The time, place, group or name does not have much importance to me. If someone is spiritually hungry, feed them!
It is my job as a youth pastor to find all the hungry people I can feed.:) I Think it is when a person is not as hungry that a restaurant has to worry about names and aesthetics. It is much the same way with the church.
I am all for meeting a "felt need" to draw a person closer to Jesus. So if the person would like to get together at a different time that is fine. I just don't get into all the church rivalry to see who can have the coolest program. It lends it self to trading christians back and forth rather than finding fresh fish. My philosophy is as soon as a group gets large enough to be called a group it should be involved in mission work as much as it is involved in fellowship.
I must admit I haven't attended Sunday school very much since I was in elementary school and jr. high, but I still like the idea of small groups so much better. Not only are you learning about God and His word, but you're also getting more fellowship with His people than you usually do in a regular Sunday school setting.
Good luck with the competition! You should guest star Braelyn a few times, I think Justin's cute kids are giving him an unfair advantage over you ;]
I tend to think that the value is more in what happens in the community, not in the setting itself. I've seen Sunday School groups that foster deep, intimate community, and small groups that are surface encounters serving as religious obligation.
Personally, I've had better encounters in small group settings, which could be due to the relaxed, open setting of an evening in someone's home.
I think the importance is in the people involved being open and honest with one another, studying the Word of God, spurring each other on in the faith, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform them. He can accomplish that work anywhere, at any time.
And I don't wanna choose sides, but you asked for my vote, so GO TEAM CEASE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6VWnewUn6o
See my youTube response - more to come soon.
WadeC
LOL
...is that what you told me to write Casey?
I know this comment is a little late, but I promised my thoughts.
The question is tricky with the little bit of information you provided. I think it depends on the student population (you did say this was for youth-so I am taking it that direction...)
For instance, at our church, most kids do not have a reliable form of transportation, so the Sunday School hour where their parents are there for church and also their own Sunday school class is the best situation to foster spiritual growth because they will consistently be there.
BUT the very cool thing about home small groups is by the simple fact that they show up means they want to learn, because they went to a place where they would typically otherwise not go at a time they typically are not doing something Church related. So the fact that they came means that they have made a step to learn....
Those are my thoughts. It just really depends...
I do have thoughts on this subject, but you already know them...you are my husband after all. And it's late and I don't feel like typing it all out. So I'm really just commenting to give you more comments.
Go Casey Go!
Small groups changed the youth program at my church when they started about eight years ago. It's great to meet at a home. It makes it much more comfortable to bring friends who aren't used to the whole "church" thing.
I am a fan of both personally. I like having Sunday School the same day as church, it is easier than having to be somewhere different days of the week. However, we have homegroup and small groups if you choose to have a more intimate setting which I also like. I think having both options open to you is a good thing. :) JMHO
never really liked sunday school to much.. home groups seem easier to me and a better way to connect with the church your in.
I prefer small groups or what we call them here in Florida, life groups..ohhhh wowzers, now isn't that clever.
Any who, I like the idea that a small group is where everyone is interacting and presenting their own thoughts and opinions rather than have it driven by one person being the teacher in a Sunday School setting.
Oh and if you ever want to see true interaction and authenticity, sit in on an AA meeting - awesome experience I recommend to all.
BIG LUV!
Monty King
People go to "school" 5 days-a-week! The last thing they want is to have to go again on Sunday! For that reason alone, I vote small groups!
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