Since the birth of Brackenhurst Baptist Church (BBC) in 1972, we have run a Sunday School ministry, which has catered for years to both adults and to children. At our annual Elders’ Planning Meeting in November 2003, the pastors of the church discussed our approach to Sunday School and evaluated the need for such a ministry in the church. The Sunday School, and particularly the Adult Sunday School, was a great concern to the eldership. Is the Sunday School still a relevant ministry of the church? Is it biblically justifiable? We ultimately concluded that Sunday School certainly does have a place in the ministry of BBC. Once we were firmly settled on that issue, we considered what could be done to increase the commitment of the membership to this ministry. As we honestly evaluated the Sunday School, we had to admit that only some 60%—if that—of the church has been truly committed to this ministry in recent years. This clearly showed that there was much room for improvement.

There is a clear and important relationship between the church and the family. Parents are to instruct their children in the things of God, and the church is to help the family to do this. In this respect, Sunday School has a role to play, for Sunday School aids the family in the instruction of children as well as adults (which should help parents to instruct their children). The pastors of the church have the responsibility to help the church, both young and old, to be firmly grounded in God’s Word. As we considered these varying responsibilities we concluded that it would be beneficial for the entire church to be grounded quite literally on the same page of Scripture each week. That is, there would be benefit in the entire church, from the youngest to the oldest, studying the same portion of Scripture each week, albeit in separate ministry or interest groups. In light of these conclusions we committed to implementing Family Bible Hour (FBH).

The purpose of FBH is for the entire church to gather in various classes (generally according to age) to study the same passage of Scripture. Lesson pages are prepared ahead of time, so church members can spend time in private and in their families focusing on the chapter to be discussed the coming Sunday.

Though not absolutely required, it is advised that church members complete these handouts each week, as they will grant a better understanding the chapter(s) to be taught, and also help generate discussion within the class. FBH is less of a lecture style than some other ministries in the church. Though it is certainly their job to biblically instruct, FBH teachers are what some might term “facilitators.” They will have prepared beforehand but will seek to guide discussion rather than give a discourse. Sundays at BBC already contain two preaching sessions (at the morning and evening worship services). That is perfectly acceptable (preaching is, after all, the God-ordained means of spreading the gospel and instructing believers—see 1 Corinthians 1:17-25), but two preaching sessions on a Sunday are quite frankly sufficient. There is no need to have another monologue, therefore discussion is encouraged in FBH.

We believe that FBH is a ministry consistent with biblical precepts , biblical precedent, and biblical principles. It is therefore fair to conclude that FBH is rooted in biblical philosophy rather than in human or social pragmatism. There is no direct command in Scripture for a church to have a FBH, but the concept is biblically commended.

We believe that if we remain committed to FBH, it will strengthen our church in such a way that the church can expand and grow. As the family bond is strengthened, the church will begin to reproduce.

The elders are convinced that FBH is a ministry of excellence and we therefore believe that commitment to FBH will strengthen Brackenhurst Baptist Church for the glory and honour of our Lord Jesus Christ.