groh_frog wrote:
Recently, our church has announced its intent to start a program designed to use the Sunday School classes as an evangelism door- the idea being that rather than witnessing to an unbeliever on the street, you give them reason to come to Sunday School. Once they're there, you can "woo" them to Christ. This is worrying me- how can you dig into the "meat" of the word if you're focused on the "milk" for the unbelievers' sake? Shouldn't church services, Sunday School, etc be designed for sanctification, not salvation?
What are some scripture references I can use to support upholding Sunday School as they used to be?
Our Sunday school classes do the same thing, it is not our only "method" of reaching out to others, in turn are mostly visitors. We call it G.R.O.W. Now I can't say they are not going out and talking to the un-churched, but mostly it is those that come to church to visit. They want at least one or two people from each Sunday school class to go out and visit the visitor to your class and then visit those that came to church. We use Evangelism Explosion, one church I attended years ago, used Contagious Christianity, this book is more designed through Sunday school approach. So can you call it evangelism or is it visitation? I think it is a good thing to visit those who came to the church, I believe it is a good thing to do. But, I to was uncomfortable going on a visit, using the Evangelism Explosion learning, listing to the leader ask the person if they ever asked Jesus into their heart or if you should die tonight would you go to heaven? If not, would you like to know how? I was a little stirred about this, because anyone can say yes, I believe, but where is the sin and Holiness of God. Our church is a growing church, i would say it is a "seeker-sensitive" church, our church really pushes Sunday school classes, which are a wonderful thing and necassary, but when the pastor said from the pulpit one time: that I would rather have you going to Sunday school class than going to the worship service. I was floored!! However, the intention behind this was to build relationships and you can't build those just coming to service. I could have been stated differently. I have mixed emotions about this too and have shared it with my Sunday school leader, but thats as far as it went.
But, I agree, you should talk to those who are starting this, and ask what their intentions are. It is not a bad thing to witness to those that visit your Sunday school class, there is a good chance they don't know the Lord Jesus Christ. Our churches are filled with many who think they are saved. I would be more concerned about how they plan to approach those with the Gospel messages. Is it going to watered down or will it show the Righteousness and Holiness of a living God!
I know what you are going through, first give them the benefit and hear it all first. God bless you
