SUNDAY SCHOOL STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

It is the stated purpose of the Sunday School  programs of Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church, to bring men and women, boys and girls, to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to help them to grow in Him and serve Him both in the Church and in the world.

The Sunday School Program will bring to life the Biblical truth that God calls every Christian to be a minister (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). Sunday School will be a 'seminary' where every Christian will be trained and equipped for personal ministry.

The apostle Paul describes the Church as the body of Christ with every Christian a member of that body (Ephesians 4:1-6, 1 Corinthians 12). This spiritual body operates a lot like our physical bodies. Each part of the physical body has a specific responsibility to perform that contributes to the proper functioning of the whole body. If any part of the body fails to do its job, the whole body suffers.

Just as God has given the parts of our physical bodies specific jobs, He has also given every Christian special gifts to contribute to the proper functioning of the body of Christ. Paul calls these special abilities "spiritual gifts" (I Corinthians 12: 1). No one is left out and no one can do anyone else's job.

Knowing that we have these spiritual gifts is encouraging, but it is not enough. Sometimes we need help to discover just what our gifts are and how they work. We also need training in how to exercise our gifts and opportunities to minister through these special gifts. Those gifted to teach need to study the Bible and learn how to teach others. Those with the gift of helps need practical ways to reach out and help others. Those with the gift of wisdom need to know how to share the wisdom with other members of the body of Christ.

Every Christian needs to develop his or her own gifts and ministry. The Sunday School Program will provide the opportunity for the development of the "spiritual gifts." Through the Sunday School Program, the members of Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church will help each other learn the truths of God's word. Through the Sunday School, members of Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church can experience real caring fellowship as they minister to one another. Through the Sunday School members of the body at Riverment Evangelical Presbyterian Church can join together to reach out to unbelievers and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In the fulfillment of the stated purpose of the Sunday School Program, three major areas will be emphasized:

1. Bible Study and Personal Application - The Sunday School meets the need of getting the people into the Word, studying the Word for themselves, applying Biblical truths to their lives and memorizing God's Word.

2. Fellowship - Sunday School Fellowship means the sharing in a partnership with Christ. As members of the body of Christ, we are partners in the life and work of Christ. We need to share our lives with one, another on a personal level. To have the kind of sharing and fellowship God wants for us, our Sunday School will teach how to relate to one another on a very personal Christian level.

3. Outreach and Evangelism -  The Sunday School must and will play an important role in the outreach and evangelism of Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The Sunday School will enlist unbelievers in Bible Study so they can come to know Christ as Savior, and it will involve believers in a systematic study of the Word so they can grow spiritually and reach out in the ministry of others.