Sunday School Devotional | 2020 - Day 4
Fully Rely On God
By Dana Crossman
“So that your trust may be in the Lord, I have taught you today, even you.”
Proverbs 22:19
I teach 4th grade Sunday School. This is my fourth year to co-teach with my daughter, who skillfully presents the lessons each week. My role is to make a practical application of those lessons. Fourth graders can be a tough audience. They are tender-hearted, analytical, and have many questions. One recently asked if babies go to heaven when they die since they didn’t accept Jesus as Savior. That wasn’t part of the lesson, but because of questions like these, I sense an urgency for the children to connect God’s truths to their own lives, to think eternally and beyond themselves. Practical applications help bridge the gap between learning facts and living out the Christian life.
Contrary to popular belief, the answer to every question in Sunday School is not “Jesus.” We try to mix it up a bit. Recently, we asked our class the following questions. I think you will enjoy the unedited answers!
Why do we have Sunday School?
“So we can learn about God and Christ the Lord.”
“So we can praise God.”
“So we can know God.”
“So we can read God’s Word.”
Sunday School ensures a weekly time of personal discipleship, including praise through song. The Bible is read and each lesson is connected to Christ. In Luke 18:16, Jesus said, “Permit the children to come to Me…”We lead children to Christ.
What do you like about Sunday School?
“That we worship God.”
“That they tell us about God.”
“Friends.”
“Candy.”
“Funny video clips.”
“Verses.”
Sunday School for children has both tangible, immediate rewards (friends, videos, prizes, or candy for memory verses) and intangible, long-lasting spiritual rewards (learning, growth, worship). Psalm 122:1 says, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’”We make Sunday School desirable.
Why do you attend Sunday School?
“So I can be a part of God’s family.”
“So I can learn.”
“So I can gain wisdom.”
“My parents make me.”
You know, that last answer is the most important one. Every year is an important year to continue building on the foundation in the life of every child and adult. There is never a good time to stop learning about God. Joshua said, “…I followed the Lord my God fully” (Joshua 14:8). Keep making your children come, and they will continue to experience Christian fellowship, gain wisdom, and learn to Fully Rely On God.
Author Bio
Dana Crossman
4th Grade Sunday School
Having attended Sunday School every year of her life until she began teaching 4th grade, Dana appreciates all that small group Bible study has to offer. She and her husband, Steve, met, were married, and have raised three children at First Baptist Dallas. She is excited to welcome their first grandbaby to the family in February.
