Sunday School Ideas

[jrdnoland]

I'm gathering ideas for Sunday School materials. I've been looking at traditional curriculum's, old and new testament surveys, teaching thru some of the confessions, etc.

I'm interested in hearing what some of you are using and if any of you have any types of Sunday schools and/or Bible studies.

 

[bbbbbbb]

I'm gathering ideas for Sunday School materials. I've been looking at traditional curriculum's, old and new testament surveys, teaching thru some of the confessions, etc.

I'm interested in hearing what some of you are using and if any of you have any types of Sunday schools and/or Bible studies.

Oddly enough we use the Bible in our Sunday School. We teach it systematically and thoroughly.

 

[jrdnoland]

Oddly enough we use the Bible in our Sunday School. We teach it systematically and thoroughly.

I do that too, but what do you use to help you teach it? I use mostly reformed commentaries and some of the confessions.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Just go with the Bible (1 John 2:27) You start using commentries and confessions and thesis on scripture then you will not be teaching God's Word anymore, but instead someone else's. use a study Bible if you must, but you can just teach from scripture and depend on the Holy Spirit to lead.

 

[jrdnoland]

Just go with the Bible (1 John 2:27) You start using commentries and confessions and thesis on scripture then you will not be teaching God's Word anymore, but instead someone else's. use a study Bible if you must, but you can just teach from scripture and depend on the Holy Spirit to lead.

Thanks, but I don't agree completely. I think if we ignore what the saints of old have to say then we are ignoring one of the ways God uses to help us learn. It's almost like trusting God to heal you when you get very sick, even though He has given us doctors.

For example, in Mark 16:16, Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.” Surely that passage is easier to fathom than is Revelation 13:18: “Here is wisdom, he that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is six hundred and sixty and six.”

Certainly the Bible is primary and the only inspired source, but we need other sources to help us fully understand and apply it.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

Thanks, but I don't agree completely. I think if we ignore what the saints of old have to say then we are ignoring one of the ways God uses to help us learn. It's almost like trusting God to heal you when you get very sick, even though He has given us doctors.

For example, in Mark 16:16, Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved.” Surely that passage is easier to fathom than is Revelation 13:18: “Here is wisdom, he that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is six hundred and sixty and six.”

Certainly the Bible is primary and the only inspired source, but we need other sources to help us fully understand and apply it.

I do not agree for the Holy Spirit inspired the very words you read in scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21) and if you are a child of God you have the same Holy Spirit in you that inspired the writings of scripture, right? So how can He not grant you understanding to know the things He Himself inspired? Why must we depend upon other less than perfect men, flesh and blood, to give us understanding when the very Spirit of God is always available and willing to help? In my opinion it is because we are not willing to seek Him for the answer. I may well say I ask and do not receive so I must go somewhere else, but if I am not willing to put in the time to come into fellowship with Him I can not hear to understand. It all stems from a lack of commitment and willingness to sacrifice time to fully understand. Now sure, you can go to a commentary or whatever and God has indeed graced men and women to greater revelations in scripture, but they were given such because they spent time with God and settled for nothing less than full revelation and thy waited for God until He granted their requests (Luke 18:1-8, 24:45). If you would just set aside time and do nothing but seek the face of God, you will find Him (Ps 105:4; Jer 29:12-13). Be confident in your place as a child of God and ask the Father to grant you understanding into all of His Word and do not accept no (which at times may come as silence) for an answer.

 

[jrdnoland]

I do not agree for the Holy Spirit inspired the very words you read in scripture (2 Peter 1:20-21) and if you are a child of God you have the same Holy Spirit in you that inspired the writings of scripture, right? So how can He not grant you understanding to know the things He Himself inspired? Why must we depend upon other less than perfect men, flesh and blood, to give us understanding when the very Spirit of God is always available and willing to help? In my opinion it is because we are not willing to seek Him for the answer. I may well say I ask and do not receive so I must go somewhere else, but if I am not willing to put in the time to come into fellowship with Him I can not hear to understand. It all stems from a lack of commitment and willingness to sacrifice time to fully understand. Now sure, you can go to a commentary or whatever and God has indeed graced men and women to greater revelations in scripture, but they were given such because they spent time with God and settled for nothing less than full revelation and thy waited for God until He granted their requests (Luke 18:1-8, 24:45). If you would just set aside time and do nothing but seek the face of God, you will find Him (Ps 105:4; Jer 29:12-13). Be confident in your place as a child of God and ask the Father to grant you understanding into all of His Word and do not accept no (which at times may come as silence) for an answer.

The only reason we call the Bible "the Bible" is because of what happened with Church History. God did not write anywhere use these books and these only.

True, we must take time and study the Bible, but to deny ourselves other aids to assist our understanding is, in my opinion not wise, to do so is to not use wisely the many resources God has given us.

You may use only the Bible and that is your choice, but what other good resources do some other home church groups use?

 

[ByTheSpirit]

The only reason we call the Bible "the Bible" is because of what happened with Church History. God did not write anywhere use these books and these only.

True, we must take time and study the Bible, but to deny ourselves other aids to assist our understanding is, in my opinion not wise, to do so is to not use wisely the many resources God has given us.

You may use only the Bible and that is your choice, but what other good resources do some other home church groups use?

To each his own I suppose. I didn't mean to upset you or offend you with what I said though I can see how it would ruffle some feathers. I do know the value in utilizing writings of more mature men and women in the faith, I was simply stating that a quite effective ministry can be run solely off of scriptures and nothing more. Just becareful what you utilize concerning extra biblical material. Even some of the most seemingly gifted individuals in church history can and have been wrong about certain doctrines. Compare what you use with scriptures and pray about it and the Holy Spirit will authorize and approve of the appropriate materials.

 

[jrdnoland]

To each his own I suppose. I didn't mean to upset you or offend you with what I said though I can see how it would ruffle some feathers. I do know the value in utilizing writings of more mature men and women in the faith, I was simply stating that a quite effective ministry can be run solely off of scriptures and nothing more. Just becareful what you utilize concerning extra biblical material. Even some of the most seemingly gifted individuals in church history can and have been wrong about certain doctrines. Compare what you use with scriptures and pray about it and the Holy Spirit will authorize and approve of the appropriate materials.

I wasn't upset, I appreciate your input. I just didn't completely agree with it. We must be open to realizing that we don't know it all, if I didn't think that way I wouldn't ask others for their opinions and ideas.

I am in fundamental agreement with you, we must always go back to what the bible says, but we sometimes need help in fully understanding it.

Even in reading our current bibles we're relying on the interpretation of men, only the original languages were the inspired word of God.

 

[parsley]

Take a look at Rotation.org -- where Sunday school teachers pool their ideas and lesson plans.

 

[freebiblelessons]

You can check out OPEN from Lifechurch. The offer all kinds of curriculum for free.

Open - Home

I also provide free object lessons at Free Bible Lessons » Bible Lessons for You To Use!

I hope this helps!

 

[parsley]

Are you looking for adult or children's classes? Mixed ages or one class per level?

I ask, bc in another thread it appeared you were dealing with a very small and unpredictable number of people-- and this is posted in the house church subforum. In a case like that, it seems more effective to reflect on a topic through the week, organize supporting scriptures, and then open it up for discussion in class.

Most people have something to offer -- whether it's scriptural knowledge, prayer experience, learning from life tragedies, kindness and peacemaking, teaching skills, visual presentation skills, analytical synthesis of ideas, ancient language skills, enthusiasm, curiosity... these will blend together to make an effective sharing of information.

It doesn't need to be all on your shoulders, if you allow yourself to facilitate a meaningful conversation. Get the ball rolling, keep it on track, and slow down momentum at the end.

 

[jrdnoland]

Are you looking for adult or children's classes? Mixed ages or one class per level?

I ask, bc in another thread it appeared you were dealing with a very small and unpredictable number of people-- and this is posted in the house church subforum. In a case like that, it seems more effective to reflect on a topic through the week, organize supporting scriptures, and then open it up for discussion in class.

Most people have something to offer -- whether it's scriptural knowledge, prayer experience, learning from life tragedies, kindness and peacemaking, teaching skills, visual presentation skills, analytical synthesis of ideas, ancient language skills, enthusiasm, curiosity... these will blend together to make an effective sharing of information.

It doesn't need to be all on your shoulders, if you allow yourself to facilitate a meaningful conversation. Get the ball rolling, keep it on track, and slow down momentum at the end.

You are correct, I have a very small group currently. Partly, I'm trying different things to see what seems to help.

I have a variety of interests in this, but they tend to be pragmatic; not sure if that is always the best approach.

We have a person who is not well grounded, not very vocal nor participatory, we have one who is more knowledgeable and well grounded but seems to get bored with our simple services, then we have one who just wants to learn more about God, but also likes to apply what they learn.

I'm still in the early stages of our home church, still researching and trying to do what I think God wants us to.