On Sunday October 2nd we will be starting a new Sunday School curriculum produced by the folks at Answers in Genesis (AIG). AIG is a familiar group to many of us, but if you’re not sure about the ministry, they are the ones behind the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum down in Kentucky. AIG started out as an apologetics ministry, and their website has countless articles to help explain the Bible.
A number of years ago AIG began to produce a Sunday school curriculum, which takes people through the Bible over the course of three to four years. When I was an associate pastor at Mill Creek Bible Church we used this curriculum, and I found it to be very well done. AIG produces curriculum for every age group, so when a church commits to using it, everyone (from lower elementary through adults) is studying the same lesson each week. The curriculum begins with studying some foundation truths about the Bible and then begins….well in the beginning.
I’m looking forward to seeing us grow in our understanding of God’s Word through our Sunday School program!
Here are some additional thoughts, in my trademark “Q&A” format:
Do you agree with everything that AIG teaches in its curriculum?
The only work I will ever 100% endorse is the Bible. During my time using this curriculum at Mill Creek (to be transparent, we got about halfway through it before I accepted the call to be Senior Pastor at Ebenezer E.C.), there were some minor views or smaller points of emphasis that I may have disagreed with or am willing to show a bit more grace on.
On the whole, AIG is a solidly evangelical organization that believes that Jesus is the only way of salvation and that the Bible is the inspired, authoritative and inerrant word of God. They do present things from a “young earth” creation perspective, but if you hold an “old earth” perspective, I still think you’ll find the curriculum helpful and engaging.
Are we really committing 3 to 4 years to seeing this through?
As elders we are constantly evaluating the ministries of Andrews Bridge. If down the road we find that the AIG curriculum isn’t the best thing for the folks here, we’ll adjust.
What are all of the classes that are offered at Andrews Bridge?
Glad you asked! Starting on 10/2:
Lower Elementary – Led by Amy Somerfield
Upper Elementary/Junior High – Led by Mary Phillips
Senior High – Led by our new pastoral intern Devon Clemmer
Adult Ladies – Led by Devon Fite
Adult (Upstairs) – Led by a rotating cast of teachers
Can I check out the curriculum somewhere?
Sure. Head on over to https://answersingenesis.org/sunday-school/abc/
Isn’t Sunday School sort of a thing of the past?
I’m not sure I remember any churches in the area not having Sunday School when I was growing up. It was a major part of church life. Times have changed. Some churches have dropped Sunday School in some form or fashion from their Sunday morning services. This trend was escalated by Covid, with many churches dropping their Sunday School ministry for a time and then deciding not to bring it back.
We aren’t quite ready to do that here at Andrews Bridge, and here’s why:
First of all, Christian education is important. Sunday School is a place where people can learn about the Bible in smaller groups and in settings that are designed for the stage of life that they are in. I’m obviously a pretty big believer in sermons. However, sermons are “one-size-fits-all” times of teaching without the opportunity for discussion, questions, and the sharing of personal stories and insights that help the Bible come alive to us.
I’m also a big believer in intergenerational worship and ministries in the local church and want to avoid the “silo-ing” of our ministries. Silo-ing is when the family leaves the car, all go their own service for the morning, and then meet back at the car after the service is over. So, we are going to continue to have worship services that engage all ages. However, I also understand that a preschooler isn’t going to get much out of my sermons, and the issues that junior high kids are dealing with are very different from the ones that adults wrestle with. That’s where a Sunday School ministry can be so beneficial to a church family.
I think Sunday School is also a time that promotes fellowship and relationships within the church. You really get to know people when you spend time with them in a small group setting. Sunday School is a place where we can share, confide, laugh, and (at times) be held accountable within authentic Christian fellowship.
In addition to providing fellowship, Sunday School provides an opportunity to serve. God has gifted many people with the ability to teach, not just the ones He calls to pastoral ministry. Sunday School is a place where people can use their gifts or discover that they have them! My path to pastoral ministry began with teaching Sunday School at Grace Point Church and having people encourage me to consider becoming a pastor.
Finally, and most importantly, Sunday School is a place where people find Jesus. My 4th and 5th grade Sunday School teacher is a major part of my own testimony.
When is Sunday School again?
Sunday School begins each Sunday at 9 am in the morning when Lloyd Kreider fires off a shotgun blast and the classes begin.
Just kidding…he doesn’t do that. Sunday School runs from 9 am to 9:50 each Sunday. I would love to have you join us.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
Here’s what’s happening:
- Men’s Breakfast at Hometown Kitchen this Saturday, at 8 am.
- The first Senior High Youth Group meeting with our new intern Devon Clemmer will be THIS SUNDAY EVENING 9/25 at the church from 6:30 – 8pm. Parents please encourage your teens (and young adults) to attend!
- Junior High Youth Group has its monthly meeting on Sunday 10/2 after church.
- On Saturday, October 8th the Junior High Youth are hosting a barn sale at the church. A local barn needed to be cleaned out and it contained many tools and antiques. Rather than have these items be destined for a dumpster, the youth will be selling them with the proceeds going to Operation Christmas Child.
This Sunday our journey with Moses takes a pretty dark turn as we look at Moses’ first attempt to deliver his people. Spoiler alert – it doesn’t go well. Every week is a great week to invite friends and family to Andrews Bridge, but if you know of someone who is struggling with feelings of failure right now, you need to invite them to join you this Sunday.