Sunday School

The Sunday School is an auxiliary to the priesthood. All auxiliaries exist to help Church members grow in their testimonies of Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the restored gospel. Through the work of the auxiliaries, members receive instruction, encouragement, and support as they strive to live according to gospel principles. 12.1 Purposes of Sunday School

 

 

All Church members ages 12 and older are members of Sunday School. Those of other faiths are also welcome to attend and participate in Sunday School classes. The purposes of the Sunday School organization are to:

 

 

1. Strengthen individuals' and families' faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through teaching, learning, and fellowshipping. 2. Help Church members "teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom" (D&C 88:77) at church and at home.

 

 

12.2 Ward Sunday School Leadership

 

 

This chapter focuses on administering the Sunday School in a way that will strengthen individuals and families. Sunday School leaders frequently review chapter 3, which outlines general principles of leadership. These principles include preparing spiritually, participating in councils, ministering to others, and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. 12.2.1 Bishopric

 

 

The bishop and his counselors provide priesthood leadership for the Sunday School.

 

 

The bishop calls and sets apart the Sunday School president. He also oversees the calling and setting apart of other Sunday School workers. He may assign his counselors to call and set them apart.

 

 

The bishop assigns one of his counselors to oversee the ward Sunday School, including the meetinghouse library. This counselor meets regularly with the ward Sunday School presidency. He reports on Sunday School and meetinghouse library matters in bishopric meetings. 12.2.2 Ward Sunday School Presidency

 

 

Members of the ward Sunday School presidency are priesthood holders. Where possible, the president holds the Melchizedek Priesthood. They work under the direction of the bishopric. They receive orientation and ongoing support from the stake Sunday School presidency. Ward Sunday School President

 

 

The Sunday School president has the following responsibilities:

 

 

He serves as a member of the ward council. As a member of this council, he participates in efforts to build faith and strengthen individuals and families (see chapter 4). He comes to ward council meeting prepared to suggest ways members can improve learning and teaching at church and in their homes. As invited by the bishop, he conducts training in ward council meeting to help improve gospel learning and teaching in the ward.

 

 

He submits recommendations to the bishopric for ward members to be called to serve as counselors in the Sunday School presidency, as Sunday School teachers, and as ward librarian and assistant librarians. If needed, he also recommends a ward member to serve as Sunday School secretary. In making these recommendations, he follows the guidelines in 19.1.1 and 19.1.2.

 

 

He teaches other Sunday School leaders their duties, using this handbook as a resource. Ward Sunday School President and His Counselors

 

 

Members of the ward Sunday School presidency work together to fulfill the following responsibilities:

 

 

They oversee efforts to improve gospel learning and teaching in Sunday School. In these efforts, they follow the principles in 5.5.3 and 5.5.4. They also support Sunday School teachers by (1) visiting with them occasionally to address their questions and concerns and to discuss ways to serve class members and (2) arranging to visit their classes.

 

 

They serve as specialists in the ward's efforts to improve gospel learning and teaching (see 12.5).

 

 

They oversee the meetinghouse library. This includes (1) orienting newly called librarians, (2) providing ongoing support and training, and (3) recommending an annual budget for the library after consulting with the ward librarian.

 

 

They hold Sunday School presidency meetings. They also participate in meetings with the counselor in the bishopric who oversees the Sunday School.

 

 

The Sunday School president assigns his counselors to oversee some areas of responsibility. For example, he may delegate the responsibilities for organizing Sunday School classes for different age-groups, orienting teachers, supervising the meetinghouse library, and helping Sunday School teachers arrange for substitute teachers as needed. The counselors frequently report to him on their efforts. 12.2.3 Sunday School Teachers

 

 

Sunday School teachers teach classes as assigned by the bishopric and the Sunday School presidency. They follow the principles outlined in 5.5.4. 12.2.4 Ward Sunday School Secretary

 

 

If needed, the bishopric may call a brother to serve as ward Sunday School secretary. The secretary may be given the following responsibilities:

 

 

He consults with the presidency to prepare agendas for presidency meetings. He attends presidency meetings, takes notes, and keeps track of assignments.

 

 

He compiles attendance information and reviews it with the Sunday School president to help determine ways to encourage members to participate in Sunday School. Teachers should receive copies of this information. 12.2.5 Sunday School Class Presidents

 

 

With the approval of the bishopric, the Sunday School presidency may invite members to serve as Sunday School class presidents. Class presidents may be male or female. They may be asked to extend a brief welcome at the beginning of class, introduce new class members and visitors, and invite class members to offer the opening and closing prayers. They may also be asked to help with efforts to keep track of attendance and fellowship class members who do not attend regularly.

 

 

12.3 Leadership Meetings 12.3.1 Ward Council Meeting

 

 

The Sunday School president serves as a member of the ward council (see chapter 4). 12.3.2 Ward Sunday School Presidency Meeting

 

 

The Sunday School presidency holds a presidency meeting regularly. The president presides at the meeting and conducts it. The secretary may attend, take notes, and keep track of assignments.

 

 

The agenda may include the following items:

 

 

1. Read and discuss scripture passages and instructions from Church leaders that relate to their callings.

 

2. Discuss the effectiveness of Sunday School classes and plan ways to help teachers and class members improve.

 

3. Plan ways to respond to requests to help improve learning and teaching in other priesthood or auxiliary organizations.

 

4. Review attendance records.

 

5. Plan ways to encourage increased participation in Sunday School.

 

 

12.3.3 Meeting with a Counselor in the Bishopric

 

 

The Sunday School presidency meets regularly with the counselor in the bishopric who oversees the Sunday School. In these meetings they counsel together about learning and teaching in Sunday School and the ward. Members of the Sunday School presidency give reports, make recommendations, and review plans for meetings. 12.3.4 Stake Sunday School Leadership Meeting

 

 

Stake Sunday School leadership meeting is generally held once a year, as explained in 18.3.11. Ward Sunday School presidencies and secretaries attend. Sunday School teachers and the bishopric member assigned to the Sunday School may be invited to attend as needed.

 

 

12.4 Sunday School Classes

 

 

Sunday School classes are held between sacrament meeting and the time set aside for priesthood, Relief Society, and Young Women meetings. Classes last 40 minutes. Opening and closing prayers are offered in each class. It is not necessary to have an opening or closing hymn.

 

 

Sunday School includes adult classes and youth classes. Approved courses, including some optional courses, are identified in the current Instructions for Curriculum. 12.4.1 Classes for Youth

 

 

The Sunday School presidency generally organizes youth ages 12 to 18 into classes according to their age on January 1. For example, the presidency may organize a class for all young men and women who are 14 or 15 years old on January 1. The youth stay in that same class until the next year.

 

 

For information on Sunday School for young men and young women when they reach age 12, see 11.4.3. 12.4.2 Class for Young Single Adults

 

 

Each ward that has enough young single adults may have a separate class for them during Sunday School. Teachers use the scriptures and approved Sunday School manuals, giving special emphasis to the needs of young single adults. 12.4.3 Helping Class Members with Disabilities

 

 

For information about understanding, including, and teaching members who have disabilities, see 21.1.26 and disabilities.lds.org.

 

 

12.5 Improving Learning and Teaching in the Ward

 

 

Members of the ward Sunday School presidency serve as specialists in the ward's efforts to improve learning and teaching. As invited by the bishopric or by leaders of priesthood and auxiliary organizations, they provide counsel, training, and support. They help leaders orient newly called teachers and improve gospel learning and teaching in their organizations.

 

 

12.6 Meetinghouse Library

 

 

Each meetinghouse should have a library with resources to help members learn and teach the gospel. The ward Sunday School presidency oversees the meetinghouse library.

 

 

Meetinghouse libraries vary according to available space. They may provide some or all of the following items: scriptures, Church magazines, Church-produced pictures and audiovisual materials, chalk, erasers, pencils, paper, television sets, DVD players, and a photocopier.

 

 

The stake presidency may authorize wards, institute classes, and family history centers to share the resources in meetinghouse libraries. 12.6.1 Ward Librarian and Assistant Librarians

 

 

The ward librarian helps leaders, teachers, and other members learn how to access and use the materials, supplies, and equipment that are available. He or she prepares a schedule for staffing the library. This schedule should ensure that all librarians can attend sacrament meeting each Sunday and that each librarian can attend either a Sunday School class or a Melchizedek Priesthood or Relief Society meeting each Sunday.

 

 

As needed, the ward librarian works with other wards and organizations to coordinate the use of the library. He or she organizes and cares for the materials and equipment in the library and uses a simple system to allow members to borrow materials.

 

 

Assistant librarians work under the direction of the ward librarian and share many of his or her responsibilities. 12.6.2 Leadership for a Meetinghouse Library in a Multiward Building

 

 

In a multiward building, the wards usually share the same library. If this is the case, the agent bishop is responsible for the coordination of the library. He may appoint a committee to coordinate the use of the library and manage the budget funds allocated to it. The committee should include a member of the Sunday School presidency from each ward and the librarian from each ward. 12.6.3 Meetinghouse Library Policies

 

 

Policies related to the meetinghouse library are found under "Sunday School" in the Serving in the Church section of LDS.org.

 

 

12.7 Stake Sunday School Leadership 12.7.1 Stake Presidency

 

 

The stake presidency's responsibilities relating to auxiliary organizations in the stake are outlined in 15.1.

 

 

The counselor in the stake presidency who oversees the Sunday School also oversees meetinghouse libraries in the stake. 12.7.2 High Councilor Assigned to the Stake Sunday School

 

 

The stake president assigns a member of the high council to work with the stake Sunday School presidency. This high councilor's responsibilities are outlined in 15.3. 12.7.3 Stake Sunday School Presidency

 

 

Members of the stake Sunday School presidency are priesthood holders. Where possible, the president holds the Melchizedek Priesthood. Their responsibilities as stake auxiliary leaders are outlined in 15.4.1. In addition, they have the following responsibilities:

 

 

They serve as specialists in the stake's efforts to improve gospel learning and teaching.

 

 

They coordinate the use of meetinghouse libraries in the stake. This includes:

 

 

1. 1.

 

 

Helping orient newly called ward librarians, as invited by ward Sunday School presidencies. 2.

 

 

Conducting other training meetings for ward librarians and assistant librarians in the stake. 3. Ensuring that meetinghouse libraries have the materials and equipment they need.

 

4. Ensuring that stake leaders have the meetinghouse library materials and equipment they need.

 

 

12.7.4 Stake Sunday School Secretary

 

 

If needed, the stake presidency may call a brother to serve as stake Sunday School secretary. The responsibilities of the stake Sunday School secretary are outlined in 15.4.2.

 

 

12.8 Adapting the Sunday School Organization to Local Needs

 

 

In a small ward or branch, members of the Sunday School presidency may also serve as teachers. Youth classes may be combined as needed. In a very small unit, the Sunday School president may be the only Sunday School leader and teacher. In this case, he teaches a Sunday School class for all members ages 12 and older. When possible, more leaders and teachers should be called.

 

 

In a small stake or a district, the Sunday School president may be the only stake or district Sunday School leader. When possible, counselors should be called. A stake Sunday School secretary may also be called.

 

 

For general information about adapting to local needs, see chapter 17.