Should we rename Sunday School?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) — I responded recently to a question that went something like this: “Our Sunday School needs to be revitalized, so we’re thinking about changing the name. What do you think?” Here is the essence of my response:

What you call it isn’t my top priority. As the program leader for Sunday School in our denomination, it really matters more to me that churches operate their Bible study ministries using good Sunday School principles.

As long as the ministry is built on a foundational strategy of ongoing, open, organized, evangelistic Bible study groups, it is functionally equivalent to Sunday School. By the way, even if you rename it, it can be counted as “Sunday School” on the Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Church Profile (ACP).

I often joke that there are only two things wrong with the name “Sunday School:” 1) It’s not just on Sunday, and 2) It’s not a school. When executed with excellence, Sunday School is really a 24/7/365 network of care, communication, and outreach that assembles once a week for Bible study.

Certainly the teaching of God’s Word is the foundation of Sunday School, but the weekly group meeting is the occasion for witnessing the fruit of the previous week’s work and launching the work for the following week. So, if you have a better name that captures that dynamic, go for it.

The above notwithstanding, the term “Sunday School” enjoys tremendous brand recognition – and brand loyalty. The weekend Bible study ministry in my church has not officially been called “Sunday School” for more than a decade, but what do people call their small group leaders? Sunday School teachers.

Sunday morning does not make it “Sunday School.” The reverse is true, as well: A weeknight small group can be functionally equivalent to Sunday School.

Are small groups functionally equivalent to Sunday School or discipleship training?

Most are, to one or the other. If the groups are closed and primarily for believers, participation can be reported as “discipleship training.” If the groups are ongoing foundational Bible studies open to believers and nonbelievers, they are functionally equivalent to Sunday School and can be reported as such.

David Francis is director of Sunday School at LifeWay Christian Resources.