The term "Sunday School" may call to mind an image of the church where you first learned "The Lord’s Prayer" and sang about the "barky barky" that built Noah’s "arky arky."

Or, maybe you wince as you remember mornings you clutched your bed rail for dear life as your family attempted to drag you to church.

Over the years, the idea of Sunday School in America has baffled other countries. Americans, for whatever reason, value a time and place where both adults and children devote themselves to learning about Scriptures.

In the late 1800s, West Point cadets traversed the Hudson River by boat and foot (during the winter) to Constitution Island where Susan and Anna Warner taught them about the great leaders of the Bible, about a talking donkey and about the Christian faith. The impact the Warner sisters had on cadets during this pivotal part of academy history may never be fully fathomed. What we do know bridges time to the present day -- the cadets must have learned and valued the importance of Sunday School, as cadets continue the Warner legacy and serve as the Protestant Sunday School Teachers now.

Last semester, Rev. L Thorstensen visited her grandchildren here, who attend preschool Sunday School. She was immediately impressed with the enthusiasm of the cadets and said, "I wish every college in America had their students so involved in the lives of children."

Cadets are the backbone of West Point’s Protestant Sunday School program -- they are the ones who prepare for classes, interact with the children and bring Scriptures alive to a generation bombarded with technological entertainment. "More than forty cadets gather each Sunday to teach three-year-olds through senior high students," said Cadet 1st Class Dave Beskow, the Cadet in Charge of the Sunday School program. He oversees seven departments, which are also cadet-led.

Why even have Sunday School? After all, time remains precious at the academy and Sunday mornings are sometimes the one time nothing clutters the calendar. Deb and Greg Alley attend classes with their four children. "Our parents took us to Sunday School and, as parents now, we understand the importance of spiritual development in an intimate setting."

Lt. Col. Michael Meese, a Sunday School teacher when he was a cadet, brings his family of five on Sundays because he believes it is an avenue for the family to grow together in the Lord.

Sunday School is not just for children. Three adult classes also meet from 9-10 a.m. each Sunday. One class explores Christian marriage, another examines what it means to be a Christian officer in today’s military and the third class challenges its members to embrace what being a Christian really encompasses.

Community members are invited to register for Sunday School, which starts Jan. 21. Protestant Sunday School meets on the third floor of Thayer Hall from 9-10 a.m. A nursery is provided for children younger than three years old. Call the Chaplain’s Office at 938-4106 for information concerning other denominational education.