To Encourage Production of Sunday School Material for Very Small Congregations

WHEREAS, The Holy Scriptures command the Church to teach all nations, baptizing and instructing them in all that Christ has commanded (Matt. 28:19–20), and to train up children in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions, particularly the Small Catechism, affirm the duty of parents and the Church to catechize children in the Christian faith (SCPreface; LCShorter Preface); and

WHEREAS, Very small congregations in the Synod, often with limited resources and including several age groups in one class, face challenges in providing consistent, high-quality Sunday school instruction; and

WHEREAS, A Lutheran, lect iona ry-based Sunday school curriculum, designed for flexibility and ease of use, would support small congregations in faithfully teaching the Word of God to children; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has a history of providing educational resources to support congregations in their cate cheti cal responsibilities, as seen in the work of Concordia Publishing House (CPH) and the Synod’s Office of National Mission (ONM);

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Montana District memorializes the Synod in convention to direct the appropriate entities, such as the ONM or CPH, to produce a digital, Lutheran, lect iona ry-based Sunday school curriculum that can be easily applied to very small congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That this curriculum be designed to be doctrinal ly sound, rooted in the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, structured for flexibility to accommodate the very limited resources and the occasional attendees; and be it further

Resolved, That the curriculum include practical materials, such as lesson plans, activities, and resources that can be easily implemented by lay leaders or pastors of small congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That the curriculum be a cost-effective option for very small congregations; and be it finally

Resolved, That the LCMSencourageitscongregationstosupport and pray for this effort, that all children in the LCMS may grow in the knowledge and love of Christ through faithful catechesis (Eph. 4:12–13).