Revision #13269
Elementary Department
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
=
- The elementary department is the division within the church's educational organization, the Sunday school (church school), that serves elementary school students. It is also called the **children's department**. It falls between the kindergarten department, which serves preschool children, and the youth department, which serves middle and high school students.
+ The elementary department is the division of the church's educational organization, the Sunday school (church school), that serves children of elementary school age. It is also called the **children's department**. It falls between the kindergarten department, which serves preschool children, and the youth department, which serves middle and high school students.
=
- The name and the range of grades covered vary from church to church. Smaller churches group first through sixth grades into a single elementary or children's department. Larger churches sometimes divide these grades into several departments, such as a primary department, an elementary department, and a junior department. In that case, "elementary department" takes on a narrower meaning, referring not to all of elementary school but only to the middle grades.
+ The name of the department and the range of grades it covers vary from church to church. Smaller churches group first through sixth grades into a single elementary or children's department. Larger churches sometimes divide these grades by age into several departments, such as a primary department, an elementary department, and a junior department. In that arrangement, "elementary department" has a narrower meaning, referring not to all elementary grades but only to the middle grades.
=
= ## Biblical and Historical Background
=
- The following passages are frequently cited as the basis for the Christian education of children:
+ The following passages are frequently cited as a basis for the Christian education of children:
=
= - Deuteronomy 6:6–9, which instructs parents to teach their children diligently
= - 2 Timothy 3:15, which speaks of having known the Scriptures from childhood
- - Ephesians 6:4, which calls for bringing up children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord"
+ - Ephesians 6:4, which calls on parents to bring up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord"
= - Mark 10:13–16, in which Jesus tells his disciples not to forbid the little children to come to him
=
- The Sunday school as it exists today is generally understood to have its roots in the Sunday school movement, which began in late eighteenth-century England. The movement originated as an effort to teach reading and the Bible to poor working children. It was introduced to Korea through the work of missionaries and, as churches grew, became established as a system of age-based departments.
+ The Sunday school in its modern form is generally understood to have its roots in the Sunday school movement, which began in England in the late eighteenth century. The movement originated as an effort to teach reading and the Bible to poor working children. In Korea, the Sunday school was introduced through the work of missionaries and, as churches grew, became established as a system of age-based departments.
=
= ## Practice in Korean Churches
=
- The elementary department usually holds its own worship service on Sunday morning. After the service, the children meet in small classes, each led by a teacher, for Bible study. Many churches use lesson materials known as *gonggwa* published by their denomination's education department, while others use materials from interdenominational organizations such as Paidion Ministries.
+ In Korean Protestant churches, the elementary department usually holds its own worship service on Sunday morning. After the service, the children meet in small classes, each led by a teacher, for Bible study. Many churches use lesson materials (*gonggwa*) published by their denomination's education department, while others use materials from interdenominational organizations such as Paidion Ministries.
=
= Responsibilities for running the department are typically divided as follows:
…
= Major annual events include Vacation Bible School, Children's Sunday events, Christmas programs, and retreats.
=
- Differences among denominations appear mainly in connection with the sacraments (the formal rites of the church).
+ Differences among denominations appear mainly in connection with the sacraments (the formal rites of the church):
=
= - **Presbyterian, Methodist, and similar churches**: Children who received infant baptism later undergo the rite of confirmation, in which they personally profess their faith. Confirmation usually takes place after the child has completed the elementary department, and many churches traditionally do not admit children to the Lord's Supper before then.
= - **Baptist and other denominations that do not practice infant baptism**: Children receive baptism by immersion when they personally profess their faith. The age at which a child may be baptized is determined by the local church.
=
- In recent years, observers have noted that a growing number of churches are unable to maintain a separate elementary department because of the declining school-age population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many churches continued meeting through online worship.
+ In recent years, observers have noted that a growing number of Korean churches are unable to maintain a separate elementary department because of the declining school-age population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many churches continued meeting through online worship.
Full revision
The elementary department is the division of a church school (Sunday school) responsible for children of elementary school age. Also called the children's department, it provides worship and Bible instruction suited to children's level of understanding.
Definition and Meaning
The elementary department is the division of the church's educational organization, the Sunday school (church school), that serves children of elementary school age. It is also called the children's department. It falls between the kindergarten department, which serves preschool children, and the youth department, which serves middle and high school students.
The name of the department and the range of grades it covers vary from church to church. Smaller churches group first through sixth grades into a single elementary or children's department. Larger churches sometimes divide these grades by age into several departments, such as a primary department, an elementary department, and a junior department. In that arrangement, "elementary department" has a narrower meaning, referring not to all elementary grades but only to the middle grades.
Biblical and Historical Background
The following passages are frequently cited as a basis for the Christian education of children:
- Deuteronomy 6:6–9, which instructs parents to teach their children diligently
- 2 Timothy 3:15, which speaks of having known the Scriptures from childhood
- Ephesians 6:4, which calls on parents to bring up their children "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord"
- Mark 10:13–16, in which Jesus tells his disciples not to forbid the little children to come to him
The Sunday school in its modern form is generally understood to have its roots in the Sunday school movement, which began in England in the late eighteenth century. The movement originated as an effort to teach reading and the Bible to poor working children. In Korea, the Sunday school was introduced through the work of missionaries and, as churches grew, became established as a system of age-based departments.
Practice in Korean Churches
In Korean Protestant churches, the elementary department usually holds its own worship service on Sunday morning. After the service, the children meet in small classes, each led by a teacher, for Bible study. Many churches use lesson materials (gonggwa) published by their denomination's education department, while others use materials from interdenominational organizations such as Paidion Ministries.
Responsibilities for running the department are typically divided as follows:
- Pastoral staff: Often an evangelist (ministerial assistant) or an associate pastor.
- Department head: An elder or deacon oversees the department's affairs.
- Teachers: Lay volunteers serve as teachers.
Major annual events include Vacation Bible School, Children's Sunday events, Christmas programs, and retreats.
Differences among denominations appear mainly in connection with the sacraments (the formal rites of the church):
- Presbyterian, Methodist, and similar churches: Children who received infant baptism later undergo the rite of confirmation, in which they personally profess their faith. Confirmation usually takes place after the child has completed the elementary department, and many churches traditionally do not admit children to the Lord's Supper before then.
- Baptist and other denominations that do not practice infant baptism: Children receive baptism by immersion when they personally profess their faith. The age at which a child may be baptized is determined by the local church.
In recent years, observers have noted that a growing number of Korean churches are unable to maintain a separate elementary department because of the declining school-age population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many churches continued meeting through online worship.