With Sunday school attendance declining in most churches, I wondered, “How did Sunday School come about?”

In my search for the origins of Sunday School, I came across an article in Christianity Today titled “When Did Sunday School Start?” by Timothy Larsen. Larsen notes that Sunday Schools began in Britain in the 1780s as schools for children who worked in the factories all week, including on Saturdays. Christian philanthropists started these schools to try to ensure that these children would not become illiterate.

The Sunday School movement spread to America, and by the mid-19th century, nearly all children were attending Sunday School.

Religious education was a core component of these schools. Reading was taught by reading Scripture, writing by handwriting Scripture, and prayers and hymn singing were incorporated into learning. A key goal of this movement was to promote moral and virtuous living.

In the 1870s, Britain and America established mandatory state education. After this, Sunday school was limited primarily to religious education. Even so, many parents viewed Sunday school as necessary for educating children to be good citizens. In the 1960s, many parents did not attend church and felt it was hypocritical to make their children attend Sunday school.

Attendance has declined ever since.

When I considered the history of Sunday school, I found it interesting that these philanthropists found a need and filled it in such a manner that the Gospel could be shared as well.

What needs could we address today that also would promote the Gospel?

As I was thinking about this—a few things came to mind.

To address loneliness, churches could promote the fellowship and friendships that develop through Bible study, Sunday school, and small groups.

To address hunger or food insecurity, churches could promote meals at the church one night each week with prayer time and singing.

To address isolation, church members could offer to go into the homes of shut-ins and read Scripture.

In other words, we could meet a need—and fill a deeper one—the need for a Savior.

In doing so, we would follow in the feet of our Savior who fed and healed the multitude—as he taught them about God. He knew that as He met an immediate need—He would meet a deeper need for a relationship with Him.

We should emulate this. We should not leave people in their neediness but meet their immediate and spiritual needs. We should bring the two together—and especially, bring them to an eternal relationship with Christ.

Share your thoughts on how we can bring people to the Word of Christ in this secular world.

What is your church doing?
What are you doing?