I wrote about the great

annual experience of back to school a couple of weeks

ago, but there's also another great

"back-to-..." that occurs at this time each

year: back-to-Sunday School.

For many of you, this is no

" back to" at all. You never miss a Sunday. But

for many, this is kind of a new year with hopeful

resolutions and renewed disciplines for life in the

spiritual lane.

For some children, youth,

and adults, this might even be a first - like

pre-school or kindergarten or first grade - a first

time to encounter God's love and his blessings and

teachings through Sunday School.

Whatever your

situation...welcome, welcome to any of the fine churches

in our community. Every church has its doors and hearts

open to you! Please make yourselves at home! You'll be so

glad you did!

On this subject, I often

run across lists that try to help parents give their

children the best experience possible in Sunday School

and church. I think they're wonderful helps and

reminders.

I'll share the helps for

Sunday School list with you this time. In a week or so

I'll write about the helps for worship list.

A list for parents to help

your child get the most out of Sunday School:

, Encourage your

child to develop friendships at Sunday School . One

of the strongest benefits the church provides your family

is an extended "family" of both adult and

childhood friends who support positive Christian values.

Consistent attendance makes it easy for meaningful

friendships to grow.

, Be consistent in

bringing your child to Sunday School so that he or she

will benefit from the Biblical instruction. Children are

surrounded by influences which are often in conflict with

the real truth oflLife in God's world. Sunday School can

be your child's most important hour out of every week.

, Cultivate

friendships with your child's teachers. It's easier for

you to approach two or three teachers than for them to

personally contact the parents of all the children in

their classes. They have busy lives and give so much!

Your support helps teachers do a good job!

, Watch for and talk

with your child about the take-home materials provided

each week. Just a few minutes of informal conversation at

home can help tremendously to reinforce and apply the

Bible truths your child has studied. And parents, we'll

usually learn something from these as well!

, Use the Bible in

your home . Open the Bible in your home to the

Bible story or scripture reading from last week's Sunday

School class. Copy key verses onto a folded index card

and set it on your kitchen table or put it on the front

of your refrigerator. NOTE: If you do not have a Bible, I

promise you that any church in this community will give

you one if you simply ask! There are several newer

translations that are wonderfully easy to read and

understand.

, Ask a few

questions about the Bible story to see what your child

remembers and understands - and talk about how the

story illustrates familiar experiences at home or in the

neighborhood. A good question is, "What is one way

you can do what that story teaches us?"

, During the week

look for ways to connect a recent Bible verse or story to

specific situations . For example, while watching

TV, ask how a character's action compares with those of a

person in a Bible story.

This is obviously just the

tip of the iceberg! So many of you out there would have

additional ones to add from your own experiences.

I invite you to share these

with your churches and with "newcomers" for

whom the "Sunday School Thing" might be just

beginning.

Have a great Sunday School

year!

Kollmeyer is Sr.

Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in

Fayetteville.

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