What does the Bible say about Sunday school?

Answer

The Sunday school movement originated in Britain in the 1780s and later expanded to America during the 19th century. However, the Sunday schools at that time differed significantly from what we have today; they resembled modern public schools but with the Bible as a central focus. These schools were established to offer basic education on Sundays to children who worked in factories, shops, and farms throughout the rest of the week. As child labor laws were enacted and public schools were established, religious education shifted to churches. The American Sunday School Union, a national organization founded in Philadelphia in 1824, produced educational materials and children’s books that were utilized in numerous Sunday schools during that era.

Although the Bible does not specifically mention Sunday school, the concept of teaching is evident in the New Testament Greek term paideia, which is translated as “nurture” in Ephesians 6:4. This term is also rendered as “instruct” and “chastise,” emphasizing correction and guidance. Similarly, the Word of God serves the purpose of teaching. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the Scriptures are beneficial for instruction (doctrine), reproof, correction, and training, equipping believers to follow God’s will.

Instructed by God to teach their children the Lord’s statutes, Israel’s teaching principles are outlined in Deuteronomy 6:4-7: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” This passage, known as the Shema, begins with the word “Shema.” Additional directives for teaching children are provided in Deuteronomy 4:10 and Deuteronomy 11:19. Throughout their history, the Jewish community has maintained the Yeshiva, a school dedicated to teaching the Torah, the initial five books of the Old Testament. Typically commencing when children were between three and five years old, this education was exclusively for boys.It is no longer accurate. It may be that the Sunday school, which originated in the evangelical movement, is founded on the concept of the Yeshiva.

We should recall that in the early days of the church, followers gathered in homes, caves, or secluded places to avoid persecution. The responsibility of imparting God’s truth to children rested with the parents and took place at home. Unfortunately, this tradition is no longer a priority in many believers’ homes, and many delegate the teaching of God’s Word to the church and what is now known as Sunday school. However, the content taught in Sunday school should merely complement what is taught at home. The optimal scenario is when the church and the family collaborate to educate children in the faith.