The answer is clearly no. Many recent surveys have revealed a precipitous drop in church attendance once children leave the home. Close to 70 percent of those who attended church regularly as children no longer attend as adults. The findings published in the book Already Gone show that many of today’s 20-somethings left the church because they questioned the Bible in their junior-high and high-school years and weren’t given answers to their questions, thus creating doubt about the truthfulness of God’s Word and its gospel message.
Most churched children attend public schools where they are indoctrinated with the idea of evolution and millions of years. They are told that the stories in the Bible are not real history. And then at home these same children spend hours each week absorbing television programs, movies, and other media that reinforces what they are learning at school and undermines belief in the Bible.
Unfortunately, many of the Sunday school programs available today tend to focus on “fun and games” and lack solid biblical teaching. They teach disconnected “Bible stories” with moral lessons. They may present the gospel, but virtually none of them teaches students why they can trust the Bible and how to defend its authenticity and accuracy.
Thankfully, a new curriculum is here with the goal of
reversing this alarming trend—a Sunday school curriculum
that teaches children (and adults) the authority and
truthfulness of God’s Word and equips them to be “prepared
to make a defense to anyone who asks a reason for the
hope that is in you
” (1
Peter 3:15).
Answers Bible Curriculum (ABC) from Answers in Genesis is a three-year Sunday school program that covers the entire Bible in chronological order, from Genesis to Revelation. It was developed to address the findings of the Already Gone study—to provide answers to the issues that confront the church through the media, school, friends, etc.
ABC emphasizes these key concepts as it presents the primary teachings of Scripture:
- We can trust all of God’s Word, beginning in Genesis.
- The Bible presents true history.
- God’s plan of redemption is woven throughout Scripture.
- God's attributes are displayed throughout the Bible.
- We must carefully and accurately interpret the Bible.
- We must be ready to give an answer for what we believe.
- We are to live in light of what the Bible teaches.
Rather than just hearing “Bible stories” with moral lessons, children using ABC actually read the Bible in class and are taught how to study the Bible using a simple “observe, interpret, apply” approach. Lessons are set in their historical context, and students are shown how science, archaeology, and history all confirm the accuracy of the biblical record. The accounts of Scripture are woven together to reveal a divine book showing God’s redemptive plan throughout history—all pointing to Jesus Christ. Children and adults alike gain a new understanding of the Bible as they see God’s eternal plan unfolding week by week.
With ABC, each age level studies the same material every week, which encourages intergenerational sharing. A mid-week family devotional helps parents disciple their children. And an online resource page provides links to articles and videos for further study.
Teachers love the easy-to-use lessons with helpful background material, detailed lesson content, handy supply checklists, and a resource DVD with all the classroom handouts ready to print and copy.
And of course, Answers Bible Curriculum is fun, too! The lessons and colorful take-home sheets incorporate skits, games, puzzles, and other creative methods for helping children learn and remember the important truths from God’s Word.
From preschool to adult, no other Sunday school program so thoroughly equips believers to defend the truth of God’s Word and live it out in daily life.
To find out more, download sample lessons, and get pricing information, visit www.AnswersBibleCurriculum.com.