It
was just a simple word of advice given at chapel to us seminary students by a
graduate who was getting ready to go to China as a missionary. He was a middle-aged man who had been part of
the church that schooled the seminary for a while before being called to go to seminary
himself and go to China. Thus, he had
seen many a young man come to seminary for an education but fail to enter
ministry. Imagine that. They packed up their families and moved to a
new place, invested tens of thousands of dollars into an education for ministry,
and studied hard for Bible classes, only to change their minds and take a more
comfortable job in the business world.
The simple advice that I remember so well was this, “Do you want to know
which seminary students will not go into the ministry? They are the ones who do not go to
Sunday School.” For whatever reason,
there were many men who would invest so much in a ministry degree, but would
not invest the extra hour each week in church in the Sunday School. Typically, these were the ones who would not continue
in ministry after graduation.
Now
as a pastor, I see that this advice is pertinent to normal people and their
families as well as to seminary students.
Do you want to know which normal people come to the pastor for counsel,
but never overcome their problems? Do
you want to know which normal people seem to have it all together on Sunday morning,
but fail to reach out to their neighbors for Christ? Do you want to know which normal people say “amen”
in the Sunday service but rarely read their Bibles at home? Do you want to know which normal people manage
to make it to church on time but struggle to do family devotions? Do you want to know which normal people put
money in the tithing plate, but never make an extra donation to missions? Do you want to know which normal people never
give out a tract or volunteer to pray with a neighbor? Do you want to know which normal people come
to church but struggle with a secret addiction?
Do you want to know which normal people come to church regularly but
raise children who find better things to do with their Sundays when they grow
up? Typically, these are the ones who do
not go to Sunday School.
Sunday
School will not make anyone perfect, but it is a good tool for instruction in
the word of God. Some individuals and
families will go the extra mile to participate.
Others will not. Our Sunday
School is not perfect, and it could be better.
In fact, it would be better if you participated.
“And the things that you have heard from me among many
witnesses,
commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach
others also.”
2 Timothy 2:2