Over the past year and a half, this series has examined the history of Sunday School from its beginings in the 1780s. Like their predecessors, today's Sunday School teachers continue to pray and to explore ways to help children learn about God. In this last installment of the series, a few of these teachers share their goals for their classes and their approaches to working with young people. They include members of the Church of Christ, Scientist; the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon); a Congregational church; the Assembly of God, and a Community church. I first asked these teachers about their spiritual goals for their pupils.
that the children would learn how to relate to God. A Mormon put it this way: "That they will know they are children of God and can rely on His help at all times." A children's pastor at a Christian center hopes they will acquire "knowledge of the Word and how it applies to everyday life." Members from a Community church in Washington set these goals: "That they would obtain a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and hope in the resurrected Lord. That they would acquire all of Christ's virtues."
"As a Sunday School teacher, I hope to share with my students the understanding that they can turn to God at any time for answers, healing, and protection," says a Christian Scientist. "In each class my goal is to help them find out more about God's goodness and His/ Her allness—that which naturally includes each one of us and excludes and separates us from evil."
