Jesus said, “Let the little children come unto me.” Nancy Cash-Cobb and her husband Jerry Cobb, of New Gloucester, couldn’t agree more.

To help the children come unto Jesus, the Cobbs are re-igniting Sunday school at one of the oldest churches in the Lakes Region area, the First Congregational Church of Gray.

Regular attendees since the 1980s, the Cobbs were saddened when their church canceled Sunday school last year because of lack of interest in a program that had been flagging the four previous years. So, after thinking about it during the winter and spring, the Cobbs decided they would take it upon themselves to bring Sunday school back, and at the same time try to bring more children into the church.

“Sunday school attendance has been off for about four years now. Last September, they cancelled it altogether. But my husband and I decided over the last year that this was really not acceptable. Something had to be done,” Nancy Cash-Cobb said.

So, the Cobbs stood up during a church business meeting, shared their desire to see more kids at church and Sunday school, and received a joyous and resounding “If you guys are interested, do it!” from those assembled. And, even more importantly, the Board of Christian Education at the church said whatever money they needed for books or crafts would be gladly provided.

So, starting this Sunday, Sept. 16 at 8:55 a.m., Sunday school will be back at the First Congregational Church of Gray. Teachers are lined up, as is the curriculum. The only thing that’s up in the air is whether any students will show up. But, trusting God that they’re not wasting their time, the Cobbs, who will act as co-superintendents of the Sunday school as well as fill-in teachers, aren’t worried.

“There’s been major praying for this,” Nancy Cash-Cobb said. “We’re excited, and we hope the community will be excited.”

Cash-Cobb, who’s also a teacher in the Windham school system, is excited partly because she thinks the curriculum will engage the audience. Each class, which will be based on age, will discuss the same Bible passages, in hopes that family members will bring home what they gleaned for discussion during the week.

“We’re doing something different when it comes to curriculum. Everyone, little ones to adults, will be studying the same subject,” Cash-Cobb said.

To start the year off, the curriculum’s theme will be “David Becomes King,” and all the life lessons that can be learned from Bible stories of David’s life prior to becoming King of Israel. Cash-Cobb said topics will discuss the uniqueness of God choosing the unspectacular, young David to become a powerful leader and man of God; the battle between David and Goliath; the death of Saul and David’s subsequent rise to power.

“Studies show you have to hear something six times to have it sink in. This FaithWeaver Bible Curriculum is great because everyone can discuss what they learned when they go home,” Cash-Cobb said.

To reinforce Sunday morning’s lesson and to spark even more family discussion, the church will also prepare “take-home papers” for each student who attends Sunday school.

In addition to the curriculum, the Cobbs are excited about the teachers who have come aboard to lend their gift of teaching. Teaching the 2 and 3-year-old class will be Lori Skilling, a child care professional in Gray. Gray-New Gloucester High School senior Holli Googins will teach the pre-K and kindergarten class. Rose Stansfield, of New Gloucester, will teach the grades 1-2 class. Sally Johnston, a retired middle school teacher from Gray, will teach the third and fourth graders. Peggy Brown, of Gray, will teach the grade 5 class. Jan Mills, of Gray, will teach the middle schoolers. The high school class will be taught by Dottie Barton, of Gray. The adult class, which Cash-Cobb expects will consist of parents who bring their kids to Sunday school and other adults, will be taught by Mike Mills of Gray.

“I have a feeling it’s going to snowball,” Jerry Cobb said. “We’ve been e-mailing, writing letters, telling the waitresses at Cole Farms to tell others. We have a great team of teachers assembled. We’re really excited about this.”