Insuring Doctrinal Integrity in Sunday School

What we teach in Sunday School is important? Paul wrote to Titus about the importance of sound doctrine. He instructed Titus, “But you must speak what is consistent with sound teaching (Titus 2:1).”

How do Sunday School leaders know what is being taught? and How do we insure doctrinal accountability?

Since Sunday School is called a school, in order to know what is being taught the Sunday School leadership team should develop curriculu policy and a list of approved curriculum. This group would also make decisions when teachers desire to teach a resource that does not appear on the approved curriculum list. Doctrinal accountability begins with a teacher covenant. This covenant would include a statement of agreement to teach based on the approved curriculum and the doctrinal beliefs of the church.

Regular meetings with Sunday School teachers provides a platform for accountability and explores sticky theological issues that will be studied in the upcoming lessons. A sustained program of lifelong learning for teachers should incorporate instruction in Biblical doctrines. This time of instruction could be incorporated in these regular meetings or offered periodically.

In I Timothy, Paul declared, “If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness, he is conceited, understanding nothing, but having a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words (I Tim. 6:3).” Sunday School leaders must never shy away from confronting such teachers as Paul describes in order to lovingly guide and exhort them to become sound teachers.

What Should have been?

The season is over. Girls were crying. Another team was smiling. I started the season looking forward to a fun year of going to the ballpark and watching my daughter play and her team win. Thanks to a coach who only cared about winning….she barely played and the starters on the field never really became a team just an anointed group of individuals playing a game. Many games were won but in the end the result was the same…another loss to a bitter rival.

For me and my daughter this was her last game and her last season. She will graduate next week. I am glad that she knows that my love is not determined by her success on the softball field or her grades in the classroom. I know the player that my daughter is. Ever since she was 2, I have known that she is gifted and talented. I know the love she has for the game. I know how much it hurt to sit and watch each grinding pitch and never be given the opportunity to play. What would I have given to have a coach that cared more for his players and helping each one reach their full potential than just winning a game. I can see the all star that resides in my daughter. I know that if given a legitimate chance and the right encouragement she would have contributed to help the team not only win some games but become the team that could have won the elusive championship.

Her high school career as a player is over. What should have been a fun and great senior season turned out to be a lesson in perseverance. My prayer is that this coach did not take her self-esteem away and cause her to doubt her worth. I pray that her father in heaven will encourage her and let her know that He sees the all star that resides within and the incredible young lady that she has become and remind her that He has a plan for her life.

What about you? Are you a coach or a teacher or a minister like my daughter’s high school coach that uses people to accomplish your goals or do you recognize the potential that resides in each boy and girl, man and woman that you teach or lead?

Play Like A Cardinal!

I have been a Cardinal Fan all my life. This week, I have been in St. Louis for a meeting with my peers. On Tuesday, one of those peers invited me to attend the Cardinal game with him. His niece works for the Cardinals and prior to the game, we were able to go on the field during batting practice. As a longtime Cardinal fan, I enjoyed being within 10 feet of Mark McGwire and Matt Holiday. At one point, Tony Larussa, the Cardinals Manager, and Red Schodenist, a Hall of Fame Cardinal Manager, walked over to the rope where I was standing. What a thrill to a Cardinal fan. (What will heaven be like?) As the game started a clip was shown with the slogan, Play Like a Cardinal.

Play Like A Cardinal. What does that mean and what are the principles that could be learned if we played like a Cardinal. Playing like a Cardinal has changed in my lifetime. During the 80’s, the Cardinals We’re Red Hot with Whitey. During that era, Busch Stadium grass was astroturf and the stadium dimensions were huge. Whitey Herzog put together a team based on speed, defense, and pitching. Today, at the new Busch Stadium, the dimensions are more favorable to big hits (home runs) and the field is natural grass. Play like a Cardinal is different today. I could speak of the Gashouse Gang from the 30’s, the great teams of the 40’s and 60’s. Play like a Cardinal changes but the basics remain….strong defense, great pitching, and offense that fits the context.

Just as the Cardinals, today’s churches certainly must adapt to an ever changing culture and environment. We certainly do not live in an Acts 2 Culture but in an Acts 17 culture. The America of today is must different than the America of my childhood. But the basics still remain. Churches will not grow and reach our culture without dynamic worship, open Bible Study/Community Groups (such as Sunday School), a process for discipleship, and a plan to involve people in missions and evangelism.