The Role of Sunday School in Christian Nurture and Discipleship in Sokoto State

Sunday school programmes represent one of the most sustained platforms for systematic Christian education in church communities, but their effectiveness as discipleship tools in the minority Christian community context of Sokoto State, North West Nigeria, has not been documented. This study examines the role and effectiveness of Sunday school programmes in Christian nurture and discipleship among members of Christian churches in Sokoto metropolis. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with questionnaires administered to 120 adults who regularly attend Sunday school programmes in six churches representing Catholic, ECWA, and Pentecostal traditions in Sokoto. Teacher interviews and class observation provided qualitative data. Effectiveness was assessed through participants' biblical knowledge, personal spiritual growth indicators, and integration of faith into daily life. Findings indicate that Sunday school participation is significantly associated with higher biblical literacy (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) and greater social community integration. The minority context of Christianity in Sokoto State creates a strong cohesion motivation for Sunday school attendance that enhances community formation outcomes. Curriculum quality varies widely, with locally adapted materials outperforming generic imported curricula. The study concludes that Sunday school in Sokoto State serves as both a discipleship tool and a social support system for a minority community. It recommends the development of contextualised Sunday school curricula that address the specific challenges of Christian witness and identity in a predominantly Muslim northern Nigerian context. Keywords: Sunday school, Christian discipleship, minority community, Sokoto State, North West Nigeria