In looking back to my youth, I can remember nearly every one of my Sunday School teachers, as well as the various classrooms in which we met. In sixth grade we used the furnace room of the parsonage in Mankato. When the heat "kicked on" everyone knew it. The images of large pictures of Bible stories are still impressed in my mind from the church basement in Thornton, Iowa when I was six years old. I also remember being asked to leave class because I was talking too much in third grade (believe it or not, I deserved it). What wonderful memories!

It may be easy for us to minimize the important work that goes on in our Sunday schools. Often we have not enough time for the lesson, or there are so many other distractions, that it might be easy for us to downplay the significance of this special time. Yet, as a parish pastor, I became more and more aware of just how precious this "golden hour" is, especially for those children who may have little or no opportunity to grow in their faith at home. For those who are given faithful instruction by father or mother, it is reinforced by their teacher, and helps to establish a nice bond with the other Christian children in the congregation. Sunday School was also a place for learning many of our wonderful Lutheran hymns.

Sitting at the feet of Christ, hearing His Word, and having the wonderful stories of Scripture come to life, is a treasure which we can appreciate in this life, but one which will shine even more brilliantly in the mansions above. God works so powerfully through His Holy Word, which even from infancy is able to make us wise unto salvation. How frequently the gentle instruction given in Sunday School helps to guide a child on the path of salvation, and in making choices pleasing to his/her Savior.

As another school year comes to a close, I would encourage us to thank our Sunday School teachers for the special time they spend in preparing lessons and instructing our children week after week. Some of my teachers are already in heaven. When I finally arrive there, I plan to go up and express my gratitude for their role in helping me stay with Christ. Just think how wonderful that "golden hour" will be from heaven's perspective.

Donald Moldstad serves as the chaplain at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, Minnesota. The ELS Board for Parish Education and Youth asked him to write this article.