Students have the right to distribute religious literature to their classmates under the same conditions as they are allowed to distribute other publications that have nothing to do with the curriculum or school activities. Schools may impose the same reasonable time limit, place, manner or other constitutional restrictions on the dissemination of religious literature as on extracurricular literature in general, but they may not specifically regulate religious literature. Ultimately, God`s glory and exaltation is the end of all things, including Sunday School classes of elementary school age. Therefore, the teachers to whom we entrust our children are of immense importance. Public schools may not offer religious instruction, but they can teach religion. For example, philosophical questions relating to religion, the history of religion, comparative religion, the Bible (or other religious teachings) as literature, and the role of religion in the history of the United States and other countries are permitted public school subjects. It is also permissible to take into account religious influences on philosophy, art, music, literature and social studies. Although public schools may teach religious holidays, including their religious aspects, and celebrate the secular aspects of holidays, schools may not observe holidays as religious events or encourage such observance by students. Pursuant to section 8524(c) of the AES, the Secretary has the authority and direction to ensure compliance with that section by issuing and enforcing compliance with rules or orders with respect to an LEA that has not certified or in bad faith that no LEA policy prevents or refuses to participate. Constitutionally protected prayer in public primary and secondary schools. The General Education Regulations Act also empowers the Minister to take enforcement action against recipients of federal education funds who fail to comply with the Act. 20 U.S.C. §§ 1234c–1234e.

These measures include withholding funds until the recipient complies with the rules. We would do well to recognize that certain circumstances related to the work of the Church are left “in the light of nature and Christian prudence according to the general rules of the word” (Westminster Confession of Faith, 1:6). This is true of Sunday School, which is neither prescribed nor forbidden in the scriptures, and so we must take into account differences in practice. Nevertheless, we must try to obey where the Scriptures are clear, and the abundance of biblical texts on teaching can help us identify some biblical parameters that should be taken into account when installing Sunday School teachers. Deuteronomy 6 calls us to diligently teach our children in all circumstances (verses 5–9), but notice that this commandment follows Moses` admonition that the Israelites first hear, understand, and practice the laws and commandments of God Himself (verses 1–3). Those who want to teach our children must first know God`s law themselves. And what about adults? Frankly, there are more similarities between children and adults than differences. Like children, we adults tend to forget and settle easily.

Like the new converts whom Scripture compares to infants who need breast milk, we need teachings that are easy to digest—catechesis and repetition—faithfully distilled and taught by qualified teachers. A consistent regime of such doctrines moves us to the maturity to which we are called in Christ (Hebrews 6:1; see also Col 1:28). Moreover, if we as parents receive a solid instruction from Sunday School, we can more faithfully fulfill the call to diligently teach our children “that which is forever ours and unto our children, that we may do all the words of this law” (Deuteronomy 29:29). To ensure we have qualified teachers for all ages, at St. Andrew`s Chapel we evaluate potential teachers in three areas: federal, teacher, and relational. First, teachers must have been members in good standing for at least six months. Second, our teachers, regardless of age, must meet Westminster standards, with approved limited exceptions. For Adult Sunday School, we also require that teachers be either ordained ministers of the Church, pastoral interns, or ministry staff.

Third, potential teachers should be active in the life of our Church; they must be committed to the mission of the local Church and to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. By ensuring that these standards are met, we can ensure that the flock of Christ entrusted to us is nourished by the pure Word of Christ and protected from error. General provisions: Religious groups of students in publicly funded public secondary schools have the same right of access to school facilities as other comparable groups of students. Under the Equal Access Act, a public high school that receives federal funding that creates a “limited open forum” cannot deny religious groups of students access to that forum. A “limited open forum” exists “whenever such a school offers one or more groups of students not connected to the program an offer or opportunity to meet on school grounds during the holiday period.” 20 U.S.C. § 4071(B). Lunch break and break: The Equal Access Act prohibits a publicly funded public secondary school from denying a religious group of students equal access to a limited open forum. A “limited open forum” exists “if such a school offers one or more groups of students not enrolled in the program an offer or opportunity to meet on school grounds during the holiday period.” Therefore, a federally funded high school triggers equal access rights for religious groups if it allows students to meet during their lunch break or other hours off school during the school day. as well as when it allows students to meet before and after the school day. The Equal Access Act, 20 U.S.C. § 4071 is intended to ensure that students` religious activities have the same access to publicly funded public secondary schools as students` secular activities.

Based on federal court decisions and its interpretation of the law, the Department of Justice has developed the following guidelines for interpreting the requirements of the Act: Means of publishing meetings: A public high school that receives federal funding must allow groups of students who come together under the law to use the school`s media. including the public address system. The school newspaper and bulletin board – to announce their meetings under the same conditions as other groups of students not related to the program are allowed to use the school media. Any policy regarding the use of school media must be applied to all groups of students not related to the curriculum in a non-discriminatory manner. However, schools may inform students that certain groups are not sponsored by the school. The purpose of these updated guidelines is to provide information on the current status of the law on religious expressions in public schools. The first part is an introduction. Part II clarifies the extent to which prayer is protected by law in public schools. LEAs and SEAs are responsible for certifying their compliance with the standards set out in Part II in accordance with Section 8524(b) of the SEA. I would like to suggest that there is a better solution. The question is what should motivate us to demand qualified Sunday School teachers for all, from the smallest in Matthew 18 to adults, and this involves the encouragement of Church and Church leaders.

In the Reformed tradition, membership vows often contain the promise to study the purity and peace of the Church. This purity and peace must be based on truth. This was the concern of our Lord Jesus Christ before He went to the cross, before we were sanctified in the truth of His Word (John 17:17-23).