Sunday School News for St. Luke’s Academy of Christian Education - 

Lori Agostinelli

In the last Sunday school article, I shared the results of national studies that reported significant benefits in children’s daily lives from attending Sunday school. A more meaningful life is, of course, a direct result of learning about God’s messages for our lives as well as Jesus’ teachings and his instructions to love God and one another. St. Luke’s Sunday school classes do just that: teach the Bible. I can tell you most assuredly, that the children are really getting it: I asked several of the children last Sunday what it meant to be a Christian, and some of their answers truly astonished me. "It means I follow God," Jessica, 14 years old, responded. Angie, an eleven year old, said, "To really believe in God and not be afraid to welcome Him into your heart." Sean, nine years old, shared his view: "To be able to believe in God and not in any other god." Matthew, nine years old, stated that to be a Christian is to follow the Ten Commandments." The children are truly learning what it means to be a Christian. Each Sunday school lesson has a Bible story and then a discussion about how the virtues displayed by people in the Bible can be adopted in our own lives.

In addition to learning about the Bible, there is another aspect to St. Luke’s Sunday school that also contributes to a happier life for our children: being a part of a Christian family. Every Sunday morning as they gather in the parish hall, one of the children rummages through the closet and finds the beach ball, and the children begin playing games. Sometimes they have to be told to calm down, or take it easy, but it is nice to see them having fun together. There is no arguing or disagreement: just smiles and laughter. They look forward to this unstructured time to play with their friends and they are happy to be with one another - first and second graders with sixth and seventh graders, families interacting with other families. The older kids often have a sense of taking care of the younger ones, or at least of being in charge! It is usually clear when it’s time to put the ball away, but as the children disperse to their classes, the smiles don’t fade.

Once in their respective classes, the camaraderie is undiminished. Often John, Philip, and Collin try to sit together in one seat! Luke and George are good friends, and the girls are always happy to see each other. Then there is the ever-smiling Elizabeth who is usually holding hands with Stephanie. I can’t mention all the sweet girls and wonderful boys who brighten each Sunday morning, but they are in my heart and they help make our Christian family.

So in addition to the Bible study that helps us all to lead better Christian lives, it is our relationships with our Christian family, as well, and you can be assured that it is happening in our Sunday school, every week. It starts with that beach ball and continues through church and all during the week in their various programs. They are family.

For information, call the  office at (215)968-2781