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.

Superintendent  Mark A. Ellis Sr., is an Inspired Leader, Business Practitioner, Evangelist, and Mentor to many, who has extensively traversed this nation passionately sharing God’s Word and Kingdom Principles with people of all races and backgrounds. Pastor Ellis’ messages have been the source of inspiration, transformation, and salvation to people all across the world.

Pastor Ellis, graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, with a major in Business Administration, Columbia University of NY and Darden Business School of VA with Executive MBA Certificates. In addition, Pastor Ellis attended Interdenominational Theological Center and SB Seminary receiving a Doctorate of Divinity in 2006. In 2018, he received a Boston College Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership. Pastor Ellis accepted his call to minis try in 1996, and was ordained in the year 2000.  Pastor Ellis founded United Christian Faith Ministries in 2001 in Baton Rouge Louisiana. Under his unwavering and compassionate leadership, the church has grown to over 2000 members and counting with over 40 active ministries.

Pastor Ellis has meticulously served the Church of God In Christ, Inc. in many offices, and on many levels. Most notably, in 2012, he was appointed by Presiding Bishop Charles Blake and the General Board to serve as the Chairman of the Board and CEO for the Church of God In Christ Publishing House and Bookstore. (2012-2017) He currently serves as the President of the COGIC International Sunday School Department.

Pastor Ellis work experience includes:

20+ years in Sales and Marketing as Vice President of Sales and Operations at Pitney Bowes Inc. A fortune 500 Company based in Stamford CT (Retired June 2015); Chief Operating Officer of the historic Rainbow Push Coalition Inc., Chicago IL, 2016.

• Talent development,