Sunday School Organization

Robert Raikes’ (1736- 1811) father who had a printing press of his own was the editor of the famous Gloucester Journal. In 1757 he died unexpectedly and thus Raikes took the responsibility of the journal and the printing press. It was around this time that Raikes began noticing little children between the ages of six and fourteen roaming the streets. The Industrial Revolution that broke out in the middle of the eighteenth century forced many children to take up jobs. It was an age when child labor was rampant. They had to work for twelve hours each day and Sunday was the only day off for them. That day they used to create a lot of raucous in the streets. A different kind of societal nuisance emanated from them and that is how Raikes started to write about them in his journal. Rev. Thomas Stock, an English Anglican Priest, encouraged Raikes to do something for their spiritual edification. Raikes’ first aim was to teach alphabets to these illiterate children. Thus in 1781 the first class began at the house of a woman named Mrs. Meredith. Though initially the children reacted coldly, in time the situation began to turn around. By 1785, in various parts of England, around two lakh fifty thousand children started participating in these classes enthusiastically. By 1831, 1.2 million children became part of this. This organization eventually spread throughout the world as Sunday School Organization. This is how the first common education system came into being. The people who belonged to the upper strata of the society alone had the rights and the opportunities for education. But through Sunday School Organization children belonging to all the groups received education. Through Sunday School Raikes intended to achieve three things:

1. Basic formal education
2. Teaching moral values
3. Evangelism and church growth

Robert Raikes’ son, Rev. Robert Napier Raikes, was an Anglican Priest. His son, Robert Napier Raikes ( Junior) has served in India as the General of the Indian Army.
For children, God’s word is of utmost importance. The Old Testament and New Testament mention in a few places the approach that should be adopted when it comes to children and also about the discipline that should be given to them. This organization helps children to become heirs of the kingdom of God through Christ and nurtures them in faith. Here we should remember the words that Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them”. Adult lifestyle or their unworthy behavior should not deter children from God. Sunday School in Christian Churches is important in the ministry of God.

1. A Hebrew Woman’s Model( Exodus 2: 1-10)
When Pharaoh passed a decree to kill all the male children, a Hebrew woman was ready to think differently and so Moses was safeguarded. Moses was a strong spiritual leader who gave leadership to the first revolt for liberation that the world has ever seen. A mother’s wise approach to a situation without thinking about the consequences is narrated in this Bible portion. Thus Moses grew up in the palace of Pharaoh. We can prepare ourselves to think and act differently about the future of our children and to nurture them accordingly.

2. Children’s Overall Development ( 3 John 1-15)
The letter that Apostle John writes to Gaius begins with a good greeting, “Dear Friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” ( 3 John 2). John was contented when he heard that his spiritual son, Gaius, is walking in spiritual truth. Like how he is well in is his soul, John wishes him a wholesome blessing. Gaius was a gentle and rich man who lived in a town near Ephesus. John writes this letter to encourage to send some brothers from here in a manner worthy of God.It was Paul who baptized Gaius at Corinth (I Corinthians 1: 14). It was in the house of Gaius that the believers gathered and he was well known for his hospitality (Romans 16:23). John now greets him to do well in all means. It is an overall development that children should get. It is said thus about Jesus Christ, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” (Luke 2:52). That is, he grew physically, mentally, worldly, socially and spiritually. This is what is meant by overall development.

3. Nurture them in Christ ( Luke 18: 15 -17)
Jesus entreats “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them” (Luke 18:16, Mark 10:14, Matthew 18: 2,3 ). Adults should not be a hindrance for children to come to God. As mentioned earlier, adult lifestyle or their unworthy behavior should not cause children to move away from God. The church and the parents should encourage children to grow in a Christ-centered life.

Collect: compassionate God, who said, ‘let the children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs, show mercy upon the children in the Church that they may come to that unutterable joy which you give to those who truly love you. Enable the church to set models for the children to emulate in love and charity; honesty and humility. Through Jesus Christ the Lord who by obedience to the Father and being lead by the Holy Spirit, wrought us salvation. Amen.

Quotes

Let us sacrifice our today so that our children can have a better tomorrow- A.P.J Abdul Kalam

Translation : Neena Kishor, Ph.D Scholar, Department of English, University of Kerala