We are looking for a large range of ideas for new Sunday School classes, electives for adults. What are your suggestions. Please what classes does your SS offer?
Sunday School Class Topics
Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by mark, Dec 4, 2003.
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Call me old fashioned, but I believe Sunday SCHOOL has only one text book (the Bible) and one curriculum (study of the text book)!
So any subject could be a Bible book or a topic (use Nave's Topical Bible) like a doctrine, an era of historical bible activity, biographies, key words, etc.
But all 100% based on the Bible and NOT on the "felt needs" of society. I've seen classes on budgeting money, church history, single parenting, zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance (oh, wait, that was a different group), Pilgrim's Progress, etc -
We use the Lifeway Series that is based on Books of the Bible. Every age group has the same literature so that even the tiny ones will have a story based on what mom and dad are studying.
I don't like 'issue' type studies. Leaves too much room for 'man's' interpretation.
Diane -
OK, Dr. Bob, you're old fashioned... you told me to call you that. How about some more suggestions, certainly they should be Bible related and based, book studies, character studies, but I do like topical studies. I also think a church history class is valuable. Some things have happened since Paul... :rolleyes:
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It has been years since I have been in a Southern Baptist church. Back in the day, I didn't think the SO. Baptist material was overly challenging. Is the Lifeway stuff good?
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The Lifeway stuff is prety good. We use it and like it, but there are other good studies out there as well. You can look at stuff done by Group publishers, I have been impressed by their work as well.
The advantage you get by using a good cirruculum (even if I have no real idea on how to actually spell that word) is that the writers are trained to consider different learing styles that people have - and try to incorporate learning activities that help people learn the way they learn best. Some people can listen to a lecture, others need to move around, others need to collaborate. I am one that cannot listen to a long lecture, my mind starts wandering. I need to participate, or do group work or some sort of activity.
I would encourage you to look at a sample sunday school lesson from several publishers to examine not only the bible content but try to identify the different learning styles that the writer is trying to reach. -
We have adult training union hour on Sunday night. We have Tuesday Bible Institute and Seminary classes. There we can study Greek, History, counseling, etc.
But to me, Sunday School is reserved for 100% study of the Word - either verse by verse, historical narrative, or topical. -
PastorGreg MemberSite Supporter
While I tend to lean toward Dr. Bob's viewpoint -study the Bible, I do believe that Sunday School being a creation of man and nota biblical mandate, whatever the church wants to study is appropriate. after all, original SUnday School was just that - school on Sunday. Also a little thing we claim to believe but like to forget called the autonomy of the local church.
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I have found that the Lifeway material is a little bit weak for more mature Christians and fine for "less experienced" right out of the box. Our church mandates that we all use it. I teach within accordance to the policy, however, I use the material as a starting point and my class is an "advanced adult" group, and they also go deeper than the Lifeway material, This is cool because I am learning a lot to be able to facilitate their learning. (My pastor said it would do me some good in preparing to become a pastor to have to really dig to meet my class' needs.)
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I have a great topic for anyone to study, how about the bible and Gods true words?
AMEN! The only curriculum one ever needs is the BIBLE!
That is our text book and that is what we study. The little ones of all ages also study out of the bible but have papers and crafts to go along. But the adults and young adults study the bible. KJV preferred! -
Dr. Bob I think has the best approach here. Now, certainly, quoting from men of God of the past and present, in order to get their perspective and to make us think, yes. But, IMHO, the Bible itself is always the best book to learn from.
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I think you should discuss the failure of the BCS this year in matching the two teams everyone thinks should play for the national chapionship. Hey, its being talked about everywhere else I turn, why not Sunday School?
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Baptist
Collar
Schism
you are talking about? -
The Baptism and Communion of the Saints?
Hmmm, When is the <Insert Corporate Lable Here> Baptist Bowl anyway? :D
That would be a great Sunday School (Adult Bible Fellowship) Activity
We are using some Regular Baptist Press curriculum, called "Who is God" its a Bible study about the attributes and person of God. We just started it a few weeks ago, but it has sparked some very good discussion in our class, especially since we have a couple of folks who have been visiting regularly that are unsaved, and have been hearing some really powerful stuff!
We have used some material from Precept Ministries on Marriage as well, but I am not as hot on that, Not being a huge Kay Arthur fan
Im more with Dr. Bob, I prefer straight Bible study to all the fooling around with more peripheral issues. You could do electives periodically, the problem with that is it breaks up your small groups, maybe it would be better to do on Wednesday night, or another weeknight. -
Mark
In my church the lable Sunday School is reserved for children. In practice there is an advanced version of it for the grownups.
The history of the daily life in Biblical times is a subject regularly visited there. It helps clarify a lot of Bibletexts.
In fact providing some basic historical background usually helps tremendously with the study of most Biblebooks.
Churchhistory sometimes makes an appearance, but it is usually not at the centre of things.
What also could be covered are certain myths that seem to have infected Bible Christianity.
So some lessons on why not to be KJV-Only and that the pope does not walk around with a hat that says 666 (just to name 2 examples) are worth considering.