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Posted on September 13, 2005 ...

September marks a significant anniversary in Christian History that most believers will not even know about. In September 1785, two hundred twenty-five years ago, the first Sunday School society was established in London England. This organization provided the first Bibles, resources, and instructions for Sunday School classes.

The character driving the idea of Sunday School was a publisher named Robert Raikes. He had a special compassion for the children of the poor who worked six days a week in local factories. Hence, they were receiving neither a basic formal education nor a Biblical education. Without some method of instilling higher values and principles in these young ones, Raikes feared that many would eventually end up in prison. Raikes decided to establish schools for these children to attend on Sundays. He hired four women in the neighborhood to teach the children to read. With the help of Reverend Thomas Stock, Raikes was soon able to enroll one hundred children, from six years old to twelve or fourteen, in these Sunday Schools.

The children had their reading lessons from ten to two, with a one-hour break for lunch. They then were taken to church, after which they received Biblical and spiritual instructions until five ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú thirty. Over time, the character of many of the youngsters was transformed by their Sunday school attendance. Their swearing, rudeness, and unruliness were replaced by a sense of duty and a desire to improve their minds.

It is hard to overemphasize the value of the Sunday School Society. It coached the poor each week, educating thousands who otherwise would have had no schooling. The society established rules, provided textbooks and offered funding. Close to 4,000 Sunday schools were soon formed. Thus, the Sunday School emerged as one of the most valuable and beneficial tools in all of Christianity.

While the curriculum of Sunday School no longer includes basic reading and writing lessons, and the time commitment is less, Sunday school remains one of the best ministries churches offer. I pray that parents will understand the benefits their children will experience from receiving these Biblical lessons. Frankly, I am concerned that regular Sunday School attendance is a low priority to so many families.

So join me in saying, Happy Birthday Sunday School! Countless numbers of people are blessed by your presence in our lives. May their numbers even increase!