A Letter From Dorothy

Last week, I began to wonder about the origins of Sunday school, so I started researching its beginnings. Soon, I became engrossed in its history, and three hours later, I wrote this. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed researching it.

History of Sunday School

Before the 1800's, children attended church services with their families. There was no commitment to children’s programs because most religious instruction happened at home.

The Sunday School movement began in Britain in the 1780's with Robert Raikes. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing, and children worked in factories six days a week, twelve to eighteen hours a day. These poor children had no opportunity to go to regular school. As a result, kids were illiterate and began to get into trouble in their teenage years. Robert Raikes had the idea of starting a Sunday School–literally a school. Churches became places where poor children could come to be educated. Children learned to read and write with nothing more than a Bible and a good teacher.

Religious education was, of course, always the core component of the first Sunday School. Children began to thrive in this atmosphere with immense success. Working-class parents were grateful for the opportunity to receive an education. The poorer families became ingrained into the church community and shared holidays and traditions together.

By 1870, compulsory state education was established in both Britain and America. After that, reading and writing were taught at school, and kids no longer worked in factories.

That left Sunday once again open to only Biblical studies. Most parents believed regular Sunday School attendance was essential to childhood and church.

When I first began in children’s ministry, we were limited to only three publishing houses that offered good, gospel-centered curriculum. I wrote my own in those days because the options were so limited. Today, we have fantastic curriculum options and other tools to reach children’s hearts with the gospel. Like people of old, we understand the Bible is the foremost authority we could use. 

It is encouraging to see God’s hand in the Sunday School movement.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. You shall teach them diligently to your children.



Dorothy Doswald

Director of Children's Ministry

What's New in Trinity Kids?

Bible Study Kids

Children are invited to join the Sister-to-Sister Bible study as part of Bible Study Kids (BSK), a children’s ministry for both the morning and evening S2S studies. At BSK, your kids will memorize scripture, grow in their understanding of the Bible, and have lots of fun! BSK meets on Thursday mornings, 9:00-11:00 a.m. (Infant-Preschool; homeschool) and Thursday evenings, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Infant-4th grade).

Mom to Mom

Friday, February 14

9:30-11:30 a.m.

Moms of young children (expectant-6th grade) are invited to join us each month for encouragement from the Word, fellowship, and a potluck brunch. We will be meeting on Friday, February 14, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Discipleship Center. Childcare provided.

Questions? Contact Jesicca.

Save the Date!

Vacation Bible School: The Journey to Candy Castle

Monday-Friday, June 23-27

Save the date for VBS 2025: The Journey to Candy Castle! Vacation Bible School will take place on Monday-Friday, June 23-27. Watch for more details coming soon!

A Note from Martine

There has been a little bit of confusion as to when our littlest Sunday Schoolers move up into the next classroom. As of January 2025, children in Rooms 1-4 will move up to the next classroom on their birthdays. This will help ensure that our 2's room is strictly two year-olds, our 3's room three year-olds and our Pre-K room four and five year-olds. Infants will move into the 1's room when they are one year old and walking. Children will not move out of Room 5 (Pre-K) into the Kindergarten room until they enter Kindergarten per California state requirements (turning 5 by September 1). Then they will promote in June on Promotion Sunday into the Kindergarten room.

As in all things, if you have a concern with your child moving up into the next classroom, please reach out to us. We want Sunday School to be a safe and positive experience for each of our children so they can learn to love and serve God with their whole hearts.

Martine Cox

Nursery-Preschool Coordinator

Books

Fanny Crosby

Read the true story of one of the world’s most famous hymn writers. Frances—or Fanny, as everyone called her—was blind for most of her life but rejoiced that the first thing her eyes would see would be "the face of Jesus in heaven.” Fanny used her extraordinary musical ability to write hymns we still sing today, such as "To God Be the Glory" and "Blessed Assurance."

Hymn

Revive us Again/Blessed Assurance

The Gettys bring us a wonderful rendition of Revive us Again and the beloved hymn, Blessed Assurance, written by Fanny Crosby.

Podcast

The Biggest Story

Designed for families to enjoy on the way to school, after dinner, before bedtime, or anytime, the Biggest Story Podcast will introduce kids to 104 Bible stories and explain how they all connect to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our Trinity Kids Resource Wall is located in the Check-In hallway. Books range from $10-$25 and can be purchased at the Check-In kiosk.

Questions? Contact Heather.



Devotional Schedule

If you'd like to follow along with our Sunday School lessons in your devotional readings, here are the upcoming lessons. Our family devotionals, Long Story Short and Old Story New, follow along with our Sunday School lessons and are available for $20 at the Resource Wall located in the Check-In hallway.

February 2: Lesson 4

February 9: Lesson 5

February 16: Lesson 6

February 23: Lesson 7

All Services

John 3:16-18

If your child is attending Sunday School for multiple service times, be sure to check them in to the correct service times at Self Check-In and let your child's teacher know they will be staying.

Infants-Preschool (8:00, 9:30, 11:00):

Check in your child at the Self Check-In station in Room 1 and drop them off at their classroom.

Check out your Infant-Preschooler at their classroom. Exit through the main lobby doors.

Kindergarten-4th (8:00, 9:30, 11:00):

Check in your child at the Self Check-In station in Room 1 and drop them off at Room 7.

Check out your Kindergarten-4th Grader at their classroom. Exit through the main lobby doors.

Families with Infants-Preschool AND Kindergarten-4th:

Check in your children at the Self Check-In station in Room 1 and drop them off at their classroom (Infant-Preschool) or Room 7 (Kindergarten-4th).

Check out your Kindergarten-4th Grader first at their classroom. Once you've picked up your older children, you can head down the hall to pick up your little ones from their class. Exit through the main lobby doors.

5th and 6th Grade (9:30 and 11:00):

We don't require our 5th-6th graders to check in and out on Sundays. They meet in the Jr. High Room in the Discipleship Center at 9:30 and in the Upper Room at 11:00 for Sunday School.

Parent Resources

RightNow Media



Trinity has a subscription to RightNow Media which is a wonderful resource for Bible studies, as well as movies for you and your children.

Questions? Email connect@trinitycc.com.

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