Karen B. Tye, in her book Basics of Christian Education, believes that the best way for Christian education to have a prominent place in the future of the church is for congregations to notice that it takes place in locations other than Sunday School: both inside and outside the church, wherever people meet, serve, work, eat, worship, play and learn.

     Much of what ministers and lay teachers do to educate students will be in a formally structured classroom setting. One of the key elements of effective teaching within the walls of the church is to create a welcoming and inviting learning environment for the students. Context does matter. Because space reveals the importance of education within the church, awareness of the environment in which educators teach is important.

     A second context for education inside the walls of the church is worship. Their liturgy, the way churches worship, is Christian education. Church leaders and ministers teach the congregation through preaching, reading scripture, leading the sacraments, and singing hymns or songs. Each element of a worship service teaches the congregation about the church, the work of Christ, the character of God, and the personality of God's people.

     Two of the most important, yet often overlooked, contexts for Christian education are located outside the church walls. These two contexts are the home and service to others. Since many churches that are smaller in size and educational opportunities are intergenerational and often in one room, Christian education outside of the church is of great importance. For children, this model is reminiscent of homeschooling. For 700 years, in the era of the early church to the seventh century, the catechetical education program of the church was primarily adult-centered. So the proper place for teaching children about the church, Bible and sacraments was the home. For Jewish and Christian communities in the Middle Ages, religious education was sparse. Both the religious community and the family were involved in teaching children the values and rituals of their faith.

     A part of congregational life key to religious education is the home. Yet families neglect religious education for numerous reasons, including busier schedules, both parents working, more activities for children and adults, fewer meals together as families, the commercialization of religious holidays, and unconfident parents. Churches need to find ways to raise the awareness of religious activity in the home. They should support, train, and encourage families in their pursuit of religious education through workshops and mentoring that instruct parents on topics such as how to pray with children, answering difficult theological questions appropriate for kids, baptism, resurrection, and communion.

     The last context that moves Christian education beyond the church walls is mission and service. The church has always been called to service in the world, to use what has been learned about Christian living to engage and sustain the world. Churchgoers can sit and learn about feeding the hungry in Sunday school, but they also must move to another level of learning through feeding the hungry and encountering the poor in their own neighborhoods. The church must help its members make the connection between classroom knowledge and knowing God through service to the world.

     Because the landscape of Christian education in the Baptist church is changing, churchgoers will need to decide which signs to heed. Peering up at the old wooden signs depicting the dwindling importance of Sunday school no longer works. Rather, identifying the many places and situations in the life of their community of faith where vital education can happen---and then making people aware---has become the model. Let us vow to heed the signs that a new relationship between the church and Christian education is coming and move Christian education back to the forefront of church life, regardless of the numbers on those old wooden signs.

       As a continued celebration of our 60th Anniversary over the next twelve months, we will be privileged to see the work of twelve visual artists from our congregation. We will have works by a wood turner, a painter, a quilter, a photographer, a weaver---all on a Sunday morning, before and after worship, in the Narthex. Look for the notices in the Pinnacle and the eNotes, and celebrate the visual arts at Northside Drive Baptist Church.

    During the Christmas season, Northside Drive Baptist Church provides many ways for members to brighten the holidays for those in need. Through gifts of clothing, toys, time, and money, we share Christ's love in our community and around the world.

Joyous Toys Christmas Store (Revised)

Buckhead Christian Ministry

Saturday, December 15, from 9:30 AM-1 PM

  9:30 AM-11:30 AM     Parent's Morning Out

                                          Choir Rehearsal/Kids Activities

  11:30 AM-12:15 PM   Family Lunch/Craft

  12:15 PM-1 PM          Caroling

      The kids will have choir rehearsal and other activities followed by a family luncheon at 11:30 AM. After lunch, we will caravan to visit church family members that are not able to get out.

      Please RSVP to Nicole Harbin at nicoleharbin@yahoo.com or call 770-365-6423.

Children and Cherub Choir Announcements 

This rehearsal is to prepare for Advent, Christmas Eve and Epiphany. Please email Nicole with any questions, nicoleharbin@yahoo.com or call 770-365-6423.

Important Dates to Note:

12/16/12: Children's Choir Singing in worship

12/24/12: Children and Cherub Choir singing at the Family Christmas Eve Service at 4 PM

1/6/12: Children and Cherub Choir singing in worship

  Led by Rev. Zachary Bay

  Wednesdays, January 9-February 6, 2013

  @ 6 PM in the Art & Soul Room

January 9:  Here Comes the Dreamer... (Chs. 37 & 41)

January 16:  A Family Reunion (Chs. 42-46)

January 23:    <No Bible Study>

January 30:  The World Tilts On Its Axis (Chs. 47-48)

February 6:  The End of the Beginning (Chs. 49-50)

Church Week