Sunday School

FAQ: Sunday School

• Who is Sunday School for?
• Why 9:45 am?
• What do you learn or do in Sunday School?
• Why do the Youth and Children Sunday Schools focus on the Gospel reading of the day?
• Why the grade and age overlap? Are the grade and age ranges set rules?
• What am I to expect timing wise?
• How do I get involved with Sunday School?

Who is Sunday School for?

Simply…EVERYONE!

Adult (18 years to eternal life), Youth (5th grade to 12 grade), and Children (Preschool to 5th Grade) Sunday School occurs every Sunday at 9:45 am. The Adult Sunday School occurs in the Fellowship Hall, the Youth Sunday School gather in the chapel and will move outside to the patio if weather permits. The Children Sunday School gathers in the atrium connected to the east side of the chapel.

Why 9:45 am?

With our two service times to accommodate our growing church family, we can sometimes feel separated into the early service and late service categories. The time between the services is an ideal time for both groups to interact, to get to know the church family more as a whole, to feel comfortable and welcome to jump between the two services. Yes, the two services have a different feel and that is because each person who attends that service that day adds to the ambiance of the service. Yes, our wonderful Pastor Wesley brings the knowledge and message delivery. However, we sitting in the pews, the congregation, visitors, neighbors, those searching for their church family bring the intangible emotional essence. That is what makes each Sunday and service different. When someone goes on vacation, you know it because you do not feel their essence. Basically, you are missed and we look forward to your return.

What do you learn or do in Sunday School?

Adult Sunday School is for 18 years old to eternal life and is focused on helping you develop a deeper understanding of your faith with the Holy Trinity. The Adult Sunday School will read literature (usually a book) over a period of time and discuss it weekly through each faith lens of the participating adults led by Pastor Wesley. Do not worry, you do not have to share your perspective (or lens as we call it). It takes time, trust, and faith in the church family before many of us are comfortable enough to open up. We want to give you the time for us to earn your trust to where you have the faith that your church family will walk with you on your faith journey and not turn you away or make you feel inadequate to participate because of a difference or many differences. We all need each other to truly know Jesus. We all need Grace and need to practice Grace. Why else call the church Grace Lutheran. This is where we do it together with love and strength to lean on eachother to keep walking even when it seems too cumbersome to take another step.

Youth Sunday School is 5th/6th grade to 12th grade. It is focused on taking the Gospel reading of the day and diving deeper into its meaningful purposeful application in the youths’ lives at this moment. The leader of Youth Sunday School is often tasked with asking the hard, uncomfortable questions that this age is faced with and usually too reserved to speak up about. The leader’s goal is to start the engine of the conversation and as the youth feel comfortable or confident enough to speak up, the leader lets them drive the conversation within the dotted lines (safe boundaries) to teach respect for each youth and to give eachother Grace when differences can cause uncomfortable tension. It takes time, trust, and faith for the youth to engage. The leader is also there to help encourage and teach the character Jesus taught us to have.

Children Sunday School is for preschoolers to 5th grade. It is focused on taking the Gospel reading of the day and putting it into terms that children can understand. Usually done through an activity like a craft, game, or hands on interaction. The leader’s goal is for some portion of the Gospel reading to have a lasting impression. We cannot control what sticks for a child because each child is on their own faith journey, but the leader does their best to draw out of each child what they took away from the activity.

Why do the Youth and Children Sunday Schools focus on the Gospel reading of the day?

The main influence in youth and children’s life are their parents/guardians. We believe in working together and not complicating the process of teaching the word of God for you. You know what your youth and children learn because you learned it as well during the worship service. And if your child was rambunctious during the reading, you have it on the bulletin you took home from service. And if your child was just having one of those days, you have our online recording available to you as well. We have you covered! You can touch on the Gospel reading throughout the day and week without having to drag it out of them or wondering how to teach a tough concept. They might not talk about what they said, but you can ask what questions the leader asked or what activity did they do to help your youth and child open up about where they are on their faith journey.

Why the grade and age overlap? Are the grade and age ranges set rules?

An 18 year old is an adult and can also be in 12th grade. Some 5th graders are more mature than others. We do not have set strict rules. We believe in walking with them on their faith journey wherever they happen to be. So they may go where they feel comfortable. As an adult, you may not be comfortable speaking with the adults and so assist with the children. It builds your self-confidence to join in on the Adult Sunday School. Same with the youth. If you have a youth that is very uncomfortable and fighting to join youth activities, then get them involved with assisting the children and let them build their confidence. They will get comfortable with the leaders and develop a want to join the youth activities.

What am I to expect timing wise?

Good question! We all feel a little uneasy doing something for the first time. So here is a timeline breakdown:

9:30am: Service ends and we run straight into the Intergenerational Choir practice in the chapel until 9:40am. Those not participating in the Intergenerational Choir practice can head straight to the Fellowship Hall with their parents/guardians for refreshments. Those just arriving to the church campus can head straight for the Fellowship Hall for refreshments and we will meet you there. Running late, get your refreshments and head straight to the Sunday School locations. We believe in eating and learning at the same time!

9:40am: We gather all the youth and children we see participating in the Intergenerational Choir practice and walk over to the Fellowship Hall for them to gather their refreshments and head to their designated Sunday School location. We do our best to gather the youth and children we see in the Fellowship Hall as well as when we head out for Sunday School. We do not force adult, youth and/or children to participate. If they tell us no, we believe them. If you want them to participate, please bring them to us. We love having them.

9:45am until 10:45am: This is our designated Sunday School time. Sometimes it ends early. Sometimes it starts late. Stuff happens. If you are in the Adult Sunday School and we end early, we take the children to the preschool room or playground for them to get some additional energy out. So do not worry, they will have fun and be entertained while you are learning. The youth may hang out with the leader, play/supervise the children or head into the Adult Sunday School to join their parents/guardians. They will not be left alone.

10:45 am to 11am: We do our best to have the chapel ready for the second service attendees. Giving time for those who like to come in early to clear their minds and prepare their hearts for worship.

11am: Second worship service starts!

12pm: Potluck luncheon for all who want to come in the Fellowship Hall.

1pm to 2pm: Youth Group/Confirmation Class in the Fellowship Hall.

How do I get involved with Sunday School?

We would love to have any skills, resources, and/or pure passion you are willing to share with us. Please contact Carrie Macias, Education Chair, at (951) 347-1684 or the Church Office at (909) 981-2226.