Sunday school is an essential disciple-making strategy for the church through the effective teaching of biblical principles for godly living and ministry. These teachings are presented systematically after a set curriculum by spiritually matured teachers. Sunday school is, therefore, an evangelistic, missions and a church growth strategy (building a healthy church).
Sunday school is the most effective discipleship and church growth strategy available to the church. It enhances the building of a healthy church. However, its effectiveness depends on the commitment of the local church pastor. Unfortunately, some pastors take it for granted and have exchanged its emphasis for other spiritual activities. Nothing other than the effective teaching of the word of God can build the faith of a Christian and make him a true disciple of Christ. The neglect of Sunday school in favour of other church growth programs has impoverished the spiritual life of the church and failed to produce the sustained increases hoped for.
Churches that use the Sunday school as an effective discipleship strategy have inevitably grown in size and in spiritual depth. Unfortunately, the vital role of Sunday school for the healthy growth and spiritual stability of our churches have been neglected. It must also be noted that the Sunday school is the most effective and available program and tool for pastors and churches to carry out the Great Commission. The command of Christ is to help believers mature spiritually by teaching them the Word of God (Matt 28:19). On the contrary some churches have lost sight of the real substance of Christ’s command to make disciples by teaching believers the word of God.
Pastors must take the lead in harnessing the flow of spiritual resources by training people how to minister to one another. Here again Sunday school is the key. The pastor can use Sunday school as a platform for raising leaders and casting his vision to the church. For Sunday school to be made relevant and effective in our churches today; there should be the teaching of substantive and relevant truth and doctrine from the Bible. Prayer should be an important component of Sunday school class. Members should be encouraged to fellowship with one another. Sunday school classes should be encouraged to care for the practical needs of their students through the sharing of resources and the lending of a helping hand in situations that demand it.
In summary, Sunday school could be the churches’ single most effective means for establishing New Testament church life. We must be inspired by the work of the pioneers and desire to be more effective in our teaching and disciple those we teach and sensitize them to serve the Lord faithfully.