Comments on: Concerns with the modern idea of Sunday School http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/ "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you...” Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:19:27 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Thomas Twitchell http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-3801 Thomas Twitchell Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:50:39 +0000 http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/#comment-3801 Good stuff. I have recently been rethinking what it means to be a disciple, or more at, what it means to be a discipler. I am tending more and more toward the eldership as being those who disciple and not an ad hoc group though not denying the division of labor. To that, it is impossible to accomplish discipleship outside of small groups. Which necessitates as you said, a multiplicity of elders. How big a small group gets before it is too large to be discipled depends upon the giftedness of the elder. There are ways of extending the reach of the elder but when it exceeds a sense of intimate fellowship, I would say that it ceases to be a small group. Good stuff.

I have recently been rethinking what it means to be a disciple, or more at, what it means to be a discipler. I am tending more and more toward the eldership as being those who disciple and not an ad hoc group though not denying the division of labor. To that, it is impossible to accomplish discipleship outside of small groups. Which necessitates as you said, a multiplicity of elders. How big a small group gets before it is too large to be discipled depends upon the giftedness of the elder. There are ways of extending the reach of the elder but when it exceeds a sense of intimate fellowship, I would say that it ceases to be a small group.

]]> By: Nathan White http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-3800 Nathan White Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:02:08 +0000 http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/#comment-3800 Jason, Mark, Thanks for the comment (and the links), brothers. I hope that I made it clear that my main concern is that Sunday School can often overshadow the necessity and preeminence of the preached word, and that SS leaders can often supplement the role of a biblically qualified pastor/elder. Dennis- You are right: the problem is NOT Sunday School per se, but rather the 'modern idea of Sunday School'. Again, small groups are wonderful, as is segregation in many regards, but my concern is that because of pragmatism, we've begun to supplement preaching with discussion, and qualified leaders with helpful volunteers. Jason, Mark,

Thanks for the comment (and the links), brothers. I hope that I made it clear that my main concern is that Sunday School can often overshadow the necessity and preeminence of the preached word, and that SS leaders can often supplement the role of a biblically qualified pastor/elder.

Dennis-
You are right: the problem is NOT Sunday School per se, but rather the ‘modern idea of Sunday School’. Again, small groups are wonderful, as is segregation in many regards, but my concern is that because of pragmatism, we’ve begun to supplement preaching with discussion, and qualified leaders with helpful volunteers.

]]> By: iMark http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-3799 iMark Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:54:04 +0000 http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/#comment-3799 These are good insights to consider. I also wonder about how often material used to teach from is actually approved by the pastor(s). These are good insights to consider. I also wonder about how often material used to teach from is actually approved by the pastor(s).

]]> By: Dennis http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-3796 Dennis Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:57:32 +0000 http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/#comment-3796 The problem isn't with Sunday School. The problem is the ineffective and misguided way many Sunday Schools function. As to whether there is a biblical mandate for small groups, what about the twelve disciples, and even an inner circle of teacher's pets--Peter, James and John? Sounds like the Master Teacher utilized small groups. The problem isn’t with Sunday School. The problem is the ineffective and misguided way many Sunday Schools function. As to whether there is a biblical mandate for small groups, what about the twelve disciples, and even an inner circle of teacher’s pets–Peter, James and John? Sounds like the Master Teacher utilized small groups.

]]> By: Jason http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/comment-page-1/#comment-3795 Jason Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:25:09 +0000 http://shepherdtheflock.com/2009/09/07/concerns-with-the-modern-idea-of-sunday-school/#comment-3795 These are some challenging things to consider. I lead a small Sunday school class for working adults and our church is currently meeting weekly to evaluate our ministry and discipleship methods. Pray that God sheds light on our study time and that he blesses each member with Godly wisdom and discernment as we make important decisions about things like Sunday School. Thanks for posting. -Jason These are some challenging things to consider. I lead a small Sunday school class for working adults and our church is currently meeting weekly to evaluate our ministry and discipleship methods. Pray that God sheds light on our study time and that he blesses each member with Godly wisdom and discernment as we make important decisions about things like Sunday School.

Thanks for posting.

-Jason

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