Acts 2:37-42
The first Sunday School... I had always thought that Methodists invented the Sunday School. The legend goes something like this: Many of the factory workers and coal miners who came to know Christ through the efforts of the Methodists couldn't read. If they couldn't read how could they read their Bibles? That was a serious problem for a group of people who were known for their methodical study of the Bible. So classes were established to teach them on the only day they were not working: Sunday. And so the Sunday school was invented. The purpose was first to teach people to read so they could read their Bible's. But they used the Bible as their primer, so they learned its truths while learning to read and write.
I had always thought that we Methodists had invented the Sunday School in the 18th century. Then I read this passage from Acts and I realized that we Methodists didn't invent the Sunday School in 18th century. God invented the Sunday School in the first century! The Bible tells us that after the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Apostles that they preached and 3,000 people were saved. Then the first thing they did was that "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship to the breaking of bread and prayer."
The first thing the Holy Spirit led these new converts to do was study. "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teachings." Now understand they didn't have a New Testament yet. The Gospels and the letters of Paul and Peter and John had not been written yet. The only source of information they had about Jesus was the teachings of those who had followed him. Today we devote ourselves to the apostle's teaching by reading and studying the New Testament. They also devoted themselves to fellowship. This was more than just getting together and having a good time. This meant supporting and encouraging one another in the faith. And they devoted themselves to the breaking of bread and prayers. Whenever the early Christians met they celebrated communion and they prayed. So this would be like our worship services. So as you see Christian Education was just as important as worship for these first Christians.
Christian Education is fundamental to living out the Christian faith. And Sunday School is the primary means of obtaining a Christian education. We say that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. Well a disciple is one who learns at the feet of a master. If we are his disciples then we should gather at his feet and listen to his teachings. Since Jesus is not here in bodily form we should study his inspired Word and learn from his anointed teachers.
We need Christian education to teach us how to live a Christ like life. If we have given our lives to Christ we need to know what he wants us to do. The best way to know that is by following the example set by Him and people who have lived like him. That means studying not just the Bible but also the lives of saints and the history of the church. The Spirit speaks to us through church history and enlightens us.
"But," you say, "can't I learn as much by sitting at home and studying the Bible by myself?" No, you can't! First of all, very few people who say such a thing actually study their Bible at home. Even if they do they are missing out on a very important part of Christian education. Sometimes we need other people to help us understand and apply what we learn. When a group of people study together they learn form each other. And they can share their understandings. Christian education is more than the facts we learn it is also the relationships we form. We learn from one another but we also encourage one another. Ideally a Sunday School class should not just recite ideas to be memorized. They should share with one another, support and pray for one another. We need to study with others to really learn how to be disciples of Christ.
Christian education, and hence Sunday School, is important. And it is for all ages! Some people have the mistaken idea that Sunday School is only for children. If it were only for children we would not have adult classes.
In fact the first Sunday School was entirely for adults. The Bible doesn't say but it would be safe to assume that those 3,000 converts on Pentecost were of all ages. From young people just old enough to make a decision to the elderly. And they all devoted themselves to learning how to be Christians.
You're never too old to stop learning. Learning to be a Christian is a life long process. There is always something new to learn. I have a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology degrees. And I drive all the way to Shiloh every Wednesday morning to teach a Bible study. And do you know why? Not because I am the preacher and I am supposed to. I do it because I always learn something new from them that helps me be a more faithful follower of Christ. Even with my theological degrees I need to study. If you think you are too smart to go to Sunday School then you just come up here and preach and I'll learn from you.
Do you want to be a faithful disciples of Jesus Christ? Then go to Sunday School! Devote yourself to studying God's Word. Learn from the experiences of other Christians what it means to follow Jesus every day. Give and receive support in your Christian living.
It would be very easy for you to attend Sunday School today. Simply don't leave after church; just stay! Where will you go anyway? Even the drug stores are closed until noon. So just stay here and learn.
It is hard to break old habits and form new ones. Many of you may be used to just coming to church and going home after an hour. Well today I am inviting you to just stay a little longer. Let this be the beginning of as new habit of not only worshipping God weekly but studying His Word weekly.