Back to School

I grew up going to Sunday School.  Every week our family went to church in time for Sunday School.  After class my sister and two brothers and I would converge in the “foyer” (we never called it a “lobby,” or a “narthex” for that matter) to find my parents and go get situated in the sanctuary for worship.  Sunday School was a fixture in my early relationship with God.

But it wasn’t limited to children:  my home church had classes for everyone.  There was no point in time when a church-goer “outgrew” Sunday School—perish the thought!  From the elementary age level, we graduated into Junior High class, then Senior High, and then on to adult study and discussion seminars / studies / groups.

Over the years I’ve watched various churches, and church traditions, walk away from Sunday School.  Often the rationale has been to shift energy into small groups meeting in homes instead (and probably at some time during the week).  Now I’m all for home groups—here at Goshen we have a number of Community Groups up and running.  But I think it’s a shame when churches feel they must choose:  either Sunday School or small groups.  Why not both?  There are some great benefits to be gained through a strong Sunday School ministry.

A recent 9Marks journal issue had the title, “Don’t Be Too Cool for Sunday School!”  Indeed.  Sunday School isn’t just for children.  To be sure—it IS for kids; what a great opportunity for the young ones to learn God’s Word and for adult leaders to teach and bless them.

But it’s also for everybody.  High school stu­dents are not too busy with studies and sports to dig into Scripture.  Twenty-somethings are not too busy in early-career mode to grapple with big questions about God and life and truth and the universe.  Young parents are not too busy changing diapers to stop and pay attention to the Bible (and it helps that there are terrific leaders ready to teach their children so they can focus on God’s Word for a time!).  And adults of various ages are not too busy to prioritize intergenerational mingling with each other in weekly Bible study!  People are asking big questions, and they need interactive gatherings with able leaders to explore and apply the message of the Bible.

Sunday School is a key part of our walk with Jesus here at Goshen.  All children, youth, and adults (younger and older, men and women, single and married) are invited and whole-heartedly encouraged to partici­pate.  Join us at 10:00 a.m. to study, learn, inquire, and build relation­ships as we seek to grow into the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13)!

For info on our Children’s classes, visit this page.  And for details on middle school and high school classes, go to this page.  Here are the six adult electives we’ll offer beginning this coming Sunday, January 14.  This is great stuff!  Don’t miss out:

• Evangelism (Through the Bible & Equipping, combined), Fellowship Hall. The “Equipping” and “Through the Bible” classes will combine in Fellowship Hall through February for a series on evangelism.  Come join us and be encouraged for sharing the Gospel.  Leaders: Paul & Dyanne Westerberg
• Family Foundations, Family Life Center. “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality,” a video and discussion series from Peter Scazzero.  It’s impossible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.  This series provides a plan for discipleship that deeply changes our relationship with God.  Leaders: Peter & Cheryl Nelson
• Fellowship Class, Room 106. Our study is a chapter by chapter look at Matthew’s Gospel, and its distinctively Jewish character.  Matthew emphasizes Jesus’ teaching ministry. He wrote it to prove Jesus is the Messiah and to explain God's kingdom. Class discussion is a key element of our study.  Leader: John Kelley
• Home Builders Organization (HBO), Room 014. A study of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, examining the different and contrary “gospel” that was sweeping through the Galatian churches, and the identifying the corrective course of action.  Leader: Terry Stick
• Women’s Class, Library. At Ephesus, new Christians were surrounded by an evil culture and its pagan ways.  Discouraged believers needed a reminder of who they were and what they possessed in Christ.  Paul’s letter taught them priceless truths about their new identity as well as how to live as Christ’s followers in the midst of their discouraging society.  His letter can also help us experience the joy of Jesus and gives us guidance for how we can participate in His plan.  Leader:  Cindy Maxwell
• Young Adult Class, Room 007. “The Church” video and discussion series from Francis Chan. The BASIC short film series challenges us to reclaim the simple, full, and beautiful journey of the church that is described in Scripture.  Leader: Oliver Thompson