Should I take my children to Sunday School?

Question

We are Presbyterians with poor church attendance. They go to Vacation Bible School in the summer, but the weekends are so fun for staying home or going on little mini-trips, and I just don't know if Sunday School is of *that* much value, because I know it will lead to arguments about waking up, the fight to find matching shoes, and then on top of it all, someone will be crying because she didn't get to put the felt Madonna on the storyboard.

Ahh, I just don't know the benefits and if is worth the hassle.

Answer 1

Its one thing to be religious, but Sunday school is practically brainwashing. It indoctrinates children at a very young age into religious principles so that they will follow them without question. Wouldn't it be better to merely expose your children to religion and allow them to eventually make an informed choice of how involved they want to be (as you have)?

Answer 2

LOL.. that's funny, putting the felt Madonna on the storyboard... I'm cracking up!

Well, no one's going to like my answer but I was raised Catholic and I HATED going to church, even if it was Sunday School or Children's Mass. It was literally my one moment of dread every weekend. My husband used to say the same thing.. he'd actually hide from his parents in the woods behind their house so he wouldn't have to go to church.

When I got older, I swore off church and didn't go. I was still a Christian for a while but started learning more about Christianity and found out many shocking things: Christianity is a pagan religion in disguise (Many stories including the immaculate conception and the resurrection already existed in Pagan mythology before Christianity arrived) I have nothing against paganism but the fact that Christianity borrowed from older religions and tried to make it original seemed sneaky to me. The holidays too, are all pagan (Halloween, Christmas & Easter)

The bible has also been altered (butchered, really) so many times over the years. In fact, did you know reincarnation used to be in the bible? It's a fact. You know how everyone says, "You must be born again?" Well, the real meaning of that is "You must be born again and again." Constantine decided to remove it because if people felt like they had only one life to prove themselves worthy of God, they'd be easier to control and be more subservient. There are still some passages that talk about reincarnation but if you don't pay close attention, you could miss it (see the link below for more information)

There are other reasons that I left the religion (the ridiculous bible stories I couldn't bring myself to believe, the hypocrisy from my Christian family, etc..)

I'm not saying there isn't a god. But I honestly don't think we are required to follow any religion. Religion is merely our interpretation of god.

If you are ok with your kids going to VBS, I guess it's fine.. I always liked it as a kid. It was at least fun, compared to church! But use your weekends to make family memories.. seriously. I think God would much prefer that.

Answer 3

Yes. always make time for the Lord. Sunday school is very important for the children. They can learn about God, and the Bible. we should have our kids in church at an early age. the Bible says to bring up a child in the way he should go, and when he is older, he will not depart from it.

Answer 4

In my view, it is very important, not only to learn about the Bible, it can give them a future of knowing there is God to help in situations, as they grow in the Lord their path in life will have a foundation to stand on firmly, My children asked Jesus into their hearts many years ago. They went through difficult times growing up, but now they have the background and knowledge of the promises in the Bible, are able to teach their children to have a foundation built on the Word, no one said it is easy, but due to my belief, when my son passed away at 38, AUG 30, 04, I know he is with God! I do not know what your belief system is and that is ok. That decision is up to you. Yes, the children may give you problems getting ready for Sunday School,have their things ready the night before, give them a chance to see what it is like, you could make an effort to attend church with them. My children gave me a hard time, but it was good for them to go ,it gave them many oppourtunities to have fun, be with other children, go places on little trips ect. Be consistent if you decide to send them or go with them too. Do not know if I made myself clear, hope it was of some help! These were my expeirences, and I think you will get more answers that are positive. Best of Luck! Give yourself credit for asking that question, at least you are thinking about the children growing and giving them a chance to know there is a positive source, and of course we do not get what we want all the time, but for good reason, in the end it all works out. Even in our sorrows!

Answer 5

Your faith shouldn't be a chore. If it has become that then perhaps you and your family would benefit more from a break from some of it and just be a family. You always hear the saying "A family that prays together stays together" but isn't also important to just be a family sometimes and enjoy each others company.

Answer 6

I believe that we are spiritual beings experiencing a physical life and not the other way round as many do. Spiritual educaiton prepares children/adults in making the right choices and openning our minds and hearts to everything and everyone. Your answer lies in your question "value", true faith and education is only about showing and teaching us to develop the gems within us all (virtues) attributes, such as: love, kindness, justice, patience, loyalty, joy, happiness, sacrifice, caringness, friendliness, respect, responsibility, etc... I was thought from a very young age that we are all (the whole world) flowers of one garden and leaves of one branch...I was thought to love everyone and respect their beliefs. I was thought in sunday school "unity in diversity" and not unity in uniformity. I was thought that there is only one God and that we call Him/Her in different names. That all religions are One "The Golden Rule" and The Earth is but one Country and Mankind it's citizen.
Sunday school should be about openning the mind of children and not making them narrowminding them. It should be about helping them to love God ( which is possible by loving God's creation - nature, animals and all people). Serving mankind and helping children to reach their full potencial. Is the sunday school enabling your child to grow and embrace people from different backgrounds and religions? if yes, then don't miss a second and treasure such education as will enable your children to become world citizens.

Answer 7

Sabbath school? Hmmm. Well if the some isn't much of a school for them , why wuold church be where you go only once a week? If you really want your kids involved with God, it has to be consistantly all the time if he really exists you know!

Answer 8

It would not artwork that way. The fruit (singular) of the Spirit IS Love, exhilaration, Peace, and so on. there isn't a "undesirable" factor for each "good" factor. reckoning on the age of the little ones on your new classification, you may or could not be able to describe the works of the flesh, that are indexed in Galatians interior an identical financial disaster by using fact the fruit of the Spirit is in. God bless your efforts :)

Answer 9

It is worth it. It will become a normal thing to do. How about instead all of you go to church and Sunday school. There is still Saturday to play and Sunday afternoon to rest.

Answer 10

My husband and I take our kids to Sunday School every week. It's like our family day. Our kids are 4 and 1... by the time we get home with them we've worn them out with dinner, sometimes a movie after church... and we get alone time! :)