Sunday School Part 2

If you read my post about Sunday school, you probably thought that I don't send my kids to SS...right? I tend to write (or speak, if I'm with someone that I know well) in a very black & white, idealistic way, and I have a hard time bringing ideals down to real life and vice versa.

We actually do send our kids to Sunday school. Can you believe it? There I go, revealing our horrid secrets to everyone.  For me, the ideal is to attend an age-integrated church that focuses on discipling mom and dad so that they can better disciple their children. But then the ideal meets reality and it doesn't always work out that way. There are no family-integrated churches in our area, and its highly unlikely that we will ever attend one. We could always move to Texas and go to Voddie Bauchum's church!

The church we attend is one my husband grew up in and God has not called us to leave. So, we send the kids to Sunday school with the very cynical notion that they are there for basic childcare. Unlike most moms, I don't really care if they learn about Jesus, specifically the youngest children. I just want the workers to not hurt my children, to come and get me if my kid is causing problems or crying too much. I don't have very high standards, do I?

I know it seems weird, but its MY job to disciple my kids, so I don't really expect anybody else to do it.  What they get at church is just gravy. And gravy without meat is just plain gross.

4:22 PM - Jun. 18, 2009 - post comment

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There are lots of "family integrated" um...families at our church. We offer lots of children's programs, yet some families simply feel led to keep their children with them, and we TOTALLY respect that decision (my dh is the Children's Pastor).

So if you feel that all your kids are getting is "gravy", you can always choose to simply keep them with you instead. Some families choose to have their kids not only go to worship service with them (the sermon), but also take them to their Sunday school class.

A church doesn't have to be "family-integrated" in order for a family-integrated family to attend. I guess it's all in the way each family chooses to worship and how they choose to utilize what's available at their church. We have TONS available for every age, as well as TONS for families together. Each family though, picks and chooses what works best for *their* family.

Just some thoughts....
;)
Lori

Anonymous - 9:22 PM - Jun. 18, 2009

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You are right, Lori.

But I would feel very uncomfortable taking my children to our Sunday school class. We take the three oldest to service and that has been a real blessing. We've noticed others bringing their children too, and it is wonderful.

But a Sunday school class is so intimate that I get nervous even when I bring my babies and they make the tiniest peep. I usually spend the time in the hallway or nursery with my newbors because I don't want to disturb others.

I don't want to disturb the adults, and when a church isn't specifically set up for age-integration it is very difficult to bring young children in an adult Sunday school. We do have a large age span in our class, from teens to senior adults, but no young children, as they bring a whole other dynamic. :)

MotherJoy - 9:38 PM - Jun. 18, 2009

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