Effective Use Of The Bible In Sunday School
By Rodney Pry

Our primary purpose in Sunday school should be to teach people about God, His Word, and His will for their lives.
As people of all ages study the Bible in Sunday school, they learn about creation, the fall of man and God’s plan to bring His Son into the world to become its Savior.

The Bible tells us what’s right and what’s wrong. It shows us examples of persons who followed God and those who rejected His leading. And, it shows us Jesus Christ and the Way of Salvation that is available through Him.
It is important for all persons of all ages to read their Bible and then to come together with others of similar age and interest to really dig into God’s Word in Sunday school.

But, as a Sunday school teacher, are you really using the Bible as effectively as you could in teaching your weekly lesson?

Effective use of the Bible begins with the teacher. The teacher must make the Bible a part of who they are. They must read it daily, study it, memorize it and consult it often. Students must be able to see that the teacher loves the Bible and that the Bible is an important part of the teacher’s life.

As a lesson is taught, the Bible should be the primary textbook used, not the quarterly. The teacher should hold the Bible and refer to it often as they teach the lesson. They should also help students use their Bibles to find answers and information for themselves.

We also need to help students see that the Bible is a positive book. It is not a rulebook to keep us from having fun. As you teach each lesson, approach Bible study as if you were about to discover the greatest news you ever heard.
Present the Bible as a book that is understandable. It is more than just stories about things that happened a long time ago. Use drama, learning games, role-play and other teaching methods to show students that the values and principles of the Bible are as relevant today as ever.

As you teach the Bible, assume nothing. Remember, many people don’t know even the basics of the Bible. However, be careful not to look down on those who do not know a lot about God’s Word and help all students get a greater understanding and appreciation of the Scriptures.

And, very important, invite students to meet Jesus Christ through the Bible study involved in each lesson. Some students are bored with Sunday school and Bible study because they don’t know Jesus. When students understand God’s purpose and His love, and when they see Him at work in Scriptures, they are more interested in the Bible.

Making Bible study truly interesting and relevant to the lives of each of your students is very important and not as hard as many teachers think. If your curriculum or quarterly materials do not suggest discovery learning techniques to involve your students in Bible study, visit your local Christian bookstore and seek out a book on the subject of creative Bible study.

Remember, the Bible is our “handbook for life.” Only as your students truly begin to understand the Bible and how to apply its lessons to their personal, day-to-day lives will they truly be able to benefit from what we are teaching in Sunday school.

Why is the Bible important? Because it tells us about Jesus Christ, His love and His will for us and the Way of Salvation that is available through Him.

Some time ago I saw a bumper sticker that had a picture of a Bible and these words, “When all else fails, read the instructions.”  I don't think you should wait until you have tried everything else before you turn to the Bible - that should be the first place that you turn - but, indeed, if you are looking for a guide for day-to-day living, the Bible is your answer!