The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Any views on the placement of Sunday School

What are the pros and cons of churches holding their Sunday School classes after the morning worship? I never been to a church that did that but wonder if it a plus or negative.

It has been my opinion that children should be in attendance of the worship service with their parents. I'll be presumptuous on this and believe that the reasons are obvious. However, IF someone has no idea why I have taken that position and would like to know why my opinion is what it is, then I will be willing to explain.

Pilgram, I have no idea why you have taken that position and wouldl like to know why your opinion is what is
are you talking about toddlers ? i never considered the subject to much and just sent my kiddos off to kids church my kids are now 40 and 37 but i digress.
bob

Greetings to you Tomatoe Tom aka bob

Would you have anything from Scripture that would suggest that the early church had a separate "church" for kids? What does that even mean?

May I ask how by separating families in the service do children learn to behave? If not by example and discipline, what will they learn from this?

Children’s church is a relatively new concept. The Bible contains numerous scriptures emphasizing that parents are responsible for teaching their children. I have witnessed cases where sending children to children’s church resulted in serious, irreparable harm. I agree with Patrice—children learn best through example and discipline.

Tina
Although I agree, I have found it very hard to find Churches that check all the boxes, that are important to me.
I currently belong to a Church that checks many of those boxes. They believe in the plurality of elders, and our pastor preaches excellent expository sermons. The elders also lead some good Bible studies during the week.
Unfortunately, although this does not affect me personally, because my girls are 39 and 37.
They pull the children out of the service for children’s Church right before the sermon.

There is one other Church in town that is good doctrinally and the children stay during the whole service and my wife and I attended there for a few months.
However, although the sermons were fairly solid. The pastor was very harsh and called out people during the service.
A few times, it was very inappropriate and the last Sunday we attended there, we had guests with us.
That was one of the most inappropriate services I have ever been to.
After the service, during the drive home. A guest said, “i need to say I respect you, but when we come to town again. If you are still going to that Church, we will not be going with you.”
I hate to say it, and I really did not want to say it. But our guest was correct.

Tom

My view has always been from what I have been able to gather from what is revealed in Scripture concerning: parents' responsibility in raising their children, the church, worship and covenant relationships. So to put it all together in a simple statement, parents are ultimately responsible to raise their children in the knowledge of the Lord. That does NOT mean that they assume or presume that they are saved, they have some idea of a 'seed of faith' in them, or able to comprehend the things of God. As Jonathan Edwards aptly and infamously described them, they are "little vipers in diapers". Thus I do not approve of teaching children to call upon God as their "Father" without confessing a credible profession of faith. I do not approve of any materials that would suggest that they are 'children of God', e.g. the Heidelberg Confession (better to use something like the Westminster Shorter Catechism which is written in the 3rd person. I do not approve of telling children that God loves them, but rather God is a loving God and is full of mercy and grace to all who come to Him with a loving faith in Jesus Christ. The Church invisible consists of all true believers. The Church visible consists of believers and unbelievers, including children, parents, pastors, elders and deacons. I find no place in Scripture either via warrant nor example that children are to be excluded from the corporate worship of God. For in that gathering the preaching of the Word is heard through which God promises His Spirit with call the elect to faith in the Lord Christ. There the saints offer up their Spirit-led and heartfelt prayers to God in a reverent manner and conduct themselves in 'fear and trembling" singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs in true worship to the Sovereign God of saved them out of darkness into Light. In that worship service, not only are children able to witness the worship of God but they do so under the direct supervision and discipline of their parents. Thereafter, the parents are able to instruct and converse with their respective children about what they saw and heard. Now unfortunately, not all 'children's churches/Sunday schools' offer biblical sound materials, teaching, oversight, or discipline. Given the current state of the visible church I could never in good conscience allow my children to attend any of such 'programs' which came AFTER the formal worship service without thoroughly vettng both adults those who are responsible, and the materials used and personally observing those events several times.

Tom, it's encouraging to hear that you have a good church to attend, with elders in place and sermons that uplift you. I agree—it can be difficult to find a church that checks every box. Like you, my children are grown and have families of their own, so I understand the importance of prioritizing what truly matters. While there may be certain aspects we don't fully agree with, the presence of a plurality of elders and a strong, meaningful message would certainly inspire me to attend. If I had small children, I would keep them with me during the service.

Why the deviation from my original post? It had nothing to do with children being in service.

Oh yeah, that's right. Sorry to get off on a tangent here John. Well, I guess SS is more of a man-made construct to aid in the teaching of the congregation. So, it doesn't really matter when or where that happens. Before or after a worship service is more a matter of choice than requirement. I have experienced both. And some churches do not have SS at all. They may have a morning and an evening service and then some sort of Bible study on another day or evening.

My apologies also. :embarrassed: However, my views stated in regard to "vetting" is still relevant. Sunday school/Bible studies of all stripes should be monitored by parents regularly to be absolutely certain that what is being taught is 100% biblical and in the case where the church holds to a confession, in agreement with it too. In too many churches Sunday School does not have much or any oversight by the Elders.

I too apologize for deviating from the original topic.
What I said was not meant to take away from what you said. I actually agree with you.

I do like the response I received, that said if they had small children, they would keep them in the service.

Tom