We have started doing Family Sunday School with our children on Sunday afternoons. Sunday School isn’t offered at the post chapel that we attend, but we believe that it is so important to teach them Bible stories and instill Biblical values in them.
EA, MC, and Will have really come to look forward to this time. It’s all they can talk about on Sundays. “Mommy, when are we going to do Sunday School?” is what I hear all day long.
We ordered our material from LifeWay, but the order got a little mixed up, so we’re doing the Spring lessons now. The theme for this month has been “Look at the Wonderful Things God Made” and we’re going through the creation story and talking about everything that God made.
Each week has a memory verse, crafts, games, and a snack. I cannot recommend doing this or something like this with your children enough. Even if they are getting Sunday School at church, it is imperative that you are also teaching them at home.
The Bible says in Deuteronomy 11:18,19,
You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Having faith is good.
Going to church is good.
Sending your children to Sunday School is good.
But to instruct your children yourself, so that they see the importance of God’s word and see it lived out in your lives, is even better.
Oh, and did you see the first part of that?
Yeah, you must also lay God’s words in your own heart and soul. It is not enough to teach them to your children or to just make sure that your children are familiar with the stories in the Bible. You must, yes, MUST, be a student of God’s Word as well, knowing it, studying it, savoring it, hiding it, and binding it upon your heart, soul, and mind.
Either one of these without the other is a bit empty.
I don’t want to know God and his Word intimately myself and neglect the teaching of my children.
Nor do I want to focus on teaching my children God’s Word and His precepts all the while ignoring my own soul that is thirsting for that very thing.
Sarah says
we so need to do this. our church does not cater to little ones at all and its hard to be too mad at them (even though I get so frustrated) because they won’t sit still, listen, pay attention, etc. The youth liturgy starts at age 5 but we need to do something in the mean time. They love the bible and ask all kinds of questions, but they never want to play school with me.
Erin @ Closing Time says
I would love to know what curriculum you are using! Our church has a good class for our girls, but I have been looking for something to do at home as well. At home we read the Bible together and learn memory verses, but I would love to have something a bit more structured weekly as well. My girls are ages 5 and 3, so they would probably do well with what you are using. What is the name of it?
Donnetta says
Oh, You are SO right on!! Good for you putting forth the time and effort to do this with them. Just imagine the eternal impact this is having on their hearts and soul!
I can just imagine God looking down and beaming with pride at what you are doing!
Jenn says
I love this idea! Have you read Voddie Baucham’s book, Family Driven Faith? He gives practical, encouraging, and Biblical advice on family worship and spiritual training. I would highly recommend it. He is also a huge advocate for home schooling.
Monica, I love your blog and look forward to checking in with you and your sweet family several times each week. My husband and I have twin daughters too… born in May of 2005. They are such a blessing and source of constant joy.
Jenny says
What a great idea! We don’t have SS either (on post as well) so I’ve just been working on memory verses with Jamie. I hadn’t thought about ordering SS materials though. That seems like it would be a great way to help reinforce those lessons! Thanks!