The word of God gives much importance to children. Both the Old and the New Testaments contain many remarks regarding the approach to the children and the discipline that is to be given to them. The Sunday school movement helps the children to become heirs of the Kingdom of God and nurture in Christian faith. We should remember the words of Jesus, “… Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them …” The life style of the elders and their characters which are not ideal should not keep away children from God. As the ministry of God, the Sunday school in the Christian church is of unique importance.
1. The Model of a Hebrew woman (Ex. 2:1-10)
When Pharaoh ordered to kill all the male children, a Hebrew woman was courageous to think on the contrary. That is how Moses is born. Moses was the powerful spiritual leader who gave leadership to the first freedom movement the world has ever seen. In this text we find the approach of a wise mother, without considering the consequences. Thus Moses began to grow in the palace of Pharaoh. Let us try to think and consider in a better way for the future of children and help them grow accordingly.
2. Wholistic Growth (3 Jn. 1-15)
The letter written by Apostle John to Gaius starts with an optimistic greeting “… that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 Jn. 2). John was happy to know that his spiritual son Gaius is living in the right spiritual standards. So he is wishing him a greeting with a wholistic growth. Gaius was a gentle wealthy man who lived in a city near Ephesus. John is writing this letter to encourage him to see off some of the brothers in a very decent way. Paul has baptized Gaius at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:15). The believers have come together for fellowship at the house of Gaius. He was very much pleased to be their host (Rom. 16:23). So John is wishing that Gaius should be doing well in all respects. Our children should get a wholistic or total growth. It is said about Jesus: “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Lk. 2:52).That is to say physical, mental, intellectual, social and spiritual growth – this is a wholistic growth.
3. Nurture in Christ (Lk. 18:15-17).
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them” (Matt. 18:2,3; Mk. 10:14; Lk. 18:16). The elders should not be of a hindrance for children to come to Jesus. The life style of the elders and their characters which are not ideal should not keep away children from God. The parents and the church should encourage the children to live a Christ-centered life.
Sunday school Movement
The father of Robert Raikes, (1736 – 1811) was the editor of the famous Gloucester Journal. He had his own printing press. He died unexpectedly in the year 1757. Thus, the printing press and the publication responsibilities of the Journal fell on Robert Raikes. At this point, he noticed that the children between the age 6 to 14 were wandering on the streets. The industrial revolution, which broke out in the middle of the 18th century compelled many children to take up jobs. Thus, in those days the child labor was at its high. The children who worked there for 12 hours per day, were on holiday on Sundays. They involve themselves in all sorts of nonsensical activities while coming on to the streets. They were confronting a new social problem. Robert Raikes was writing about these children and their problems in his journal. Rev. Thomas Stock, a British Anglican priest encouraged Robert Raikes made them do some spiritual activity involving these children. So Robert Raikes aimed to teach alphabets to these children. Thus, in 1781, classes were started in the house of Mrs. Meredith of England. In the beginning the children extended a cool welcome to the classes. But suddenly the attitude changed. By 1785, there were 2 lakhs and 50 thousand students participating in the program with great enthusiasm.1.2 crore of students joined the program by the year 1831. Thus, the program which was started on Sundays have grown and spread throughout the world. The first common education plan was started in this movement. In those days people who were of a high status in society only had the right and opportunities for education. But through the Sunday school movement, all children in the society without the barrier of their status received education. Robert Raikes had aimed at three things.
- To give basic formal education
- To teach moral values
- To take up Evangelism and church planting
Rev. Robert Napier Raikes, an ordained priest of the Anglican Church was the son of Robert Raikes. His son Robert Nappier Raikes (junior) had served as the General in the Indian Army.