Benefits of Sunday School

1. Sunday school provides a structure for teaching God’s Word. Preaching isn’t enough. A systematic teaching of the Scriptures – not just preaching (Acts 5:42) needs to occur through all age levels. Children, youth, and adults need opportunities for discovery, review, and interaction as they study God’s principles. Sunday school meets needs!
2. Sunday school gears Bible teaching to a specific age group (Deut. 31:12). It means a wiggly four-year-old can discover great biblical truth by acting out a Bible story, completing dot-to-dot pictures, singing fun songs, and obeying parents. During the same hour, senior adults may discuss whether their relationship with their spouse or responses to daily crises reflect their trust in God. Both age groups leave Sunday school with specific applications for the week.
3. Sunday school mobilizes and trains laity for leadership. It’s difficult to say who benefits more, the teacher or the student. The teacher’s Bible knowledge and care grows… his or her life is changed… a stretching occurs as leadership skills are developed. Students learn and are challenged, but how much more is that true in the life of the teacher
4. The Sunday school is discipleship! Every shepherd/teacher must have a desire to see each student in his/her flock have a spiritual life change. Since discipleship is “teaching to obey all I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:20), it’s not merely teaching facts, but teaching obedience. While there are man styles of discipleship (one-on-one, small group, etc.) Sunday school is the group discipleship that is entry-level. It’s the “next step” after attending morning worship. From Sunday schools can develop small cell groups – discipleship. Since many people who attend church are not in a one-on-one or small group discipleship, an effective Sunday school is a form of “Discipleship 101.”
5. Sunday school is convenient. With the work, family and activity schedules of many church members, it is easier to come to church one hour earlier or love one hour later than to arrange another night out during the week. Also by having it on Sunday the children can be taught while the adults are learning. Parents who skip Sunday school in favor of mid-week small group often overlook the valuable “teaching times” their children miss by receiving “child-care” during the week rather than “teaching” in children’s Sunday school.
6. Sunday school organizes the church into caring groups. The teacher becomes a shepherd for the class, an extension of the pastor’s ministry. Where the pastor finds it impossible to know all the needs of the congregation, Sunday school teachers (shepherds) know when someone is absent or hurting and can express love personally.
7. Sunday school leads the church in prayer and relationships. From the preschool class through all the adult classes, prayer is directed toward the specific needs of the class members. Often the lass not only prays, but has an opportunity to respond to specific needs. Fellowship and informal conversations flow easily in small groups where care is expressed and people know your name and your needs.
8. Sunday school focuses on outreach to peers and friends. In a small group setting, where warmth and love flow and topics are non-threatening, class members are encouraged to invite fellow-employees or friends from school. Class socials and activities can focus on community outreach through social or ministry events.
9. Sunday school lets the church do all the above with consistency. Sunday school is one of the most consistent programs in the church. It doesn’t stop for the summer and rarely for holidays. Sunday after Sunday its dedicated staff leads the church in this most important ministry.

Fundraiser

Pastor Owens of the National AIM Sunday School, has informed us that there is a national competition amoung the directors of raising as much money as possible. So he sent us a bunch of envelopes, (like  the one on the left) to give to all the churches in the jurisdition.

Each envelope holds $150. The envelope has scratch off amounts ranching from $1.00 – up to $$$. Each individual is asked to pay the amount they scratch off, or the church could write a check for $150.00 to cover their church. All churches would report their monies and one check written to the National AIM Department for the combined total for all the Sunday Schools in the Jurisdiction collectively!

A $500.00 check along with a certificate will be presented to the Jurisdiction reporting the most money.

Bishop Alton E. Gatlin is a visionary with a desire to see the people of the Lord “prosper and be in health, as their souls prosper!” Receiving his formal training from Mississippi Valley State University and the University of Southwestern Louisiana he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He holds a Master of Divinity from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

God has favored the labor and ministry of Bishop Alton E. Gatlin promoting him to the leadership of the Trinidad & Tobago Jurisdiction.  Bishop Gatlin is International Superintendent (President) of the Sunday School Department of the Church of God in Christ.  He is spreading his love for learning, training and growth through the work of the Sunday School Ministry.

He is the Pastor of the First Church of God in Christ, Crowley, LA. He continues to serve faithfully with the Louisiana First Jurisdiction under the capable leadership of Bishop Roy L. H. Winbush.  He is the District Superintendent of the Crowley District and Jurisdictional Dean of the United State Auxiliaries Convention and President of the Department of Education.  He is a motivational speaker conducting seminars, workshops and meetings on a national and international level. He is currently the President of the Louisiana chapters of the C. H. Mason Bible College. He has a sincere passion for cultivating ministries and Church Growth. His apostolic ministry has established churches in Iota, Mermentau, Ville Platte, Lake Arthur and Church Point, Louisiana. His love for young people prompted the organization of the ‘Love Alive’ Campus Ministry, comprised of nine universities in Louisiana.

In addition to his ministerial duty, Bishop Gatlin is a great supporter of family and community.  He is married to Supervisor Vanessa Winbush Gatlin.  They have two sons, one daughter by marriage, two beautiful granddaughters and one grandson.

Without fear, without favor, and without compromise, Bishop Gatlin is dedicated to the work of the ministry, the up building of the kingdom, the edifying of the body of Christ!