By Marv Knox

Americans in general are discovering something Baptists and other evangelical Christians have known for decades: Participation in small groups (in our context, make that "Sunday school") is good for you.

"Millions of Americans today are seeking help for psychological, physical, emotional, or spiritual problems in groups of various kinds," reported pollster George Gallup, "Perhaps…the 1990’s will become known as the Decade of Healing."

Up to four in 10 Americans are "currently involved in small groups that meet regularly for care, support and nurturing," Gallup’s survey revealed. Another 7 percent are interested in joining such a group.

The study showed several reasons people have begun "to seek the solace of small groups," Gallup said:

- "We appear to live in an addicted society, addicted not only to chemicals, but to possessions, to success, to wealth and to an easy, self-indulgent lifestyle."

- "Six of 10 new marriages will end in divorce, ‘a root problem’ in our country and the cause of any number of other social ills."

- "We are physically detached from each other. We continue to move our places of residence frequently. Seven in 10 persons do not know their neighbors."

- "Loneliness is widespread. As many as one-third of Americans admit to frequent periods of loneliness…the absence of deep and meaningful relationships."

- "Privatism contributes in a major way to go-it-alone philosophy in religious matters."

Taken together, these trends have fragmented society and have "contributed to separatism, even unrestrained individualism," Gallup said. "The small group movement appears to be bringing us back together, answering what would appear to be one of the central needs of our time – the need for intimate and healing community."

A couple that came to a Sunday school class I taught several years ago illustrated this concept. They were young, bright, ambitious. He was on his way "up" in his company, and they had lived in our community about six months. Both of them grew up in the church but had dropped out in college. When they got to town, they knew they needed a network of friends, so he joined a civic organization that often involved families. Those relationships proved shallow and unfulfilling, and by the time they came to our church, they were lonely, frustrated, angry and starved for nurture and community. Fortunately, they found what they needed in our church through the members of the class.

Of course, the first and basic purpose of Sunday school is to study Scripture. As Bible-believing Christians, we realize an understanding of God’s Word forms the foundation for how we live our lives.

That’s exactly why Sunday school provides such an effective "small group" for millions of us. As we study the Bible, we open ourselves up to challenges that pound our souls and shape our lives. And by doing this in community, we build relationships that are founded on the bedrock issues of life, not superficial social whimsy. Small wonder, then, that Sunday school classes become the vehicles for life, emotions and spirit-sustaining relationships.

Get yourself to Sunday school. You need it.

(This article appeared in the "Spring, 1994" issue of "The Herald.")