The problem of Sunday school education method (II): There is a greater need for spiritual purity in Sunday school education

Compared to other religions and denominations, I don’t believe Sunday school education in the Protestant church is problematic in substance, but problematic in the way it is taught. I’d like to point out a few more issues that need to be addressed.

First of all, the church often seems to preach the Gospel with the help of Hollywood. If this was a good method, Jesus would have gained the world with the help of Satan. Many churches rely heavily on famous celebrities and athletes, and you can often see them trying to attract children’s attention through the use of celebrities’ fame or popular music genres. Educators should look for ways to break from this trend.

Secondly, many people have a tendency to believe they will be able to hold children at church only when church is more fun and exciting than Hollywood or computer games. Something is quite wrong. The church must be completely different from the world in terms of values, outlook on life, and worldview. The church must have the special, noble, and holy image and message unique to the church. In other words, the meaning of the church’s existence lies in the church being able to display and share the beautiful and noble things the world cannot offer. Even if the church can compete with Hollywood and win and attract young people, how then will the church be able to get them to truly accept the Gospel? Will the church really be able to continue to fulfill their consistent desire for entertainment?

Third, instead of trying to properly train children in teaching them the Gospel, the church is taking the easy route by using reward systems. We must think about whether it is truly wise to forge a mindset ready to receive the Word through giving rewards. We are wicked sinners and our greed knows no boundaries. Anyone who promises he will go to church if God heals him of his illness appears he will keep that promise forever, but that’s far from it. Within just a few months, he will start to make excuses not to go to church, and his demands will start to multiply owing to his improved body condition. Ultimately, if a rewards system is used to make someone believe in Jesus, it won’t be enough to give him the whole world.

The reason why Christianity becomes stronger in spite of persecution is because of the Holy Spirit’s presence and His workings. The Holy Spirit takes over the reins in the delivery of a message by guiding the speaker to what He wants him to say, controlling the tongue of those who preach the Word with an obedient heart, and softening the hearts of those who listen, thereby creating a powerful narrative of Christian history. On the other hand, reliance on worldly methods to do God’s work may lead to mistakenly assuming the plan to be working because human expediency is used rather than the workings of the Holy Spirit. However, leaning on human expediency leads to a situation where Christianity is powerless and can do absolutely nothing. There are valid concerns that the current state of Sunday school education may be headed toward the direction of relying on expediency.

God does not need the reputation, popularity, or fun of Hollywood to do His work. God has made salvation possible single handedly. He will continue to build the kingdom of God with His faithful followers who love Him with a burning heart, not with the popularity of Hollywood. God needs people who seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness with a faithful heart. We must remember that the Holy Spirit will work and take care of everything if we are loyal to Him.