Prepared by John L. Alexander, Superintendent Secondary Division
International Sunday School Association

POINTS OF CAUTION!

The promoters of a Boys’ Department in the Sunday school should not be too hasty in pushing the organization.  There are certain facts to be kept in mind in effecting a workable, durable department.

1.  The Boys’ Department is merely one of the departments of the school, and nothing must be done that will cripple or weaken the remainder of the school.  Where possible it is best to promote separate departments for teen age boys and girls at the same time.  This will reduce opposition and achieve efficiency.

2.  There is no use in trying to organize a Boys’ Department, where there is no adequate meeting place.  The value of a Boys’ Department lies almost entirely in the unity produced by the worship of the opening and closing services and the discussion of departmental common affairs.

3.  The Department cannot take the place of the Organized Class.  Where it does, it is temporary, hurrah-in-character, inefficient and harmful.  The Sunday school is educational in purpose.  The Boys’ Department must be likewise.

4.  Nothing should be advocated or promoted in the Boys’ Department that is not in accord with the Sunday school and Denominational policy.  The Boys’ Department is part of the Church.

Class Organization

The classes of the teen years should all be organized before any scheme for department organization is put in use.  The Organized Class is based on the so-called “gang instinct,” and is the unit of all organization.

Departmental Progressive Steps

The steps in organizing a Teen Age Boys’ or Secondary Division
Department should be: 

1.  Appointment of Teen Age Superintendent.

2.  Every class organized according to Denominational and International Standard.

3.  Two-session-a-week classes—­Sunday and week-day.

4.  Trained teachers.

5.  Departmental organization.

=Departmental Equipment=

Separate Rooms

There should be separate assembly rooms or divisions for these departments where they meet apart from each other.  There should also be separate rooms or screened-off places for the classes to meet.

Equipment

The outfit for the department and classes should include Bibles, tables, blackboards, charts, pictures, maps—­including maps for mission study, also relief maps, mission curios, etc.

Promotions

Much should be made of promotions to and from the grades within the department.  A certificate or diploma recognizing regular work should be granted on Promotion Day.  Special work done is recognized by placing a seal upon the certificate.  Promotion exercises should include some statement of the work accomplished.