What They Didn't Teach Me in Sunday School

Life's lost lessons

What they didn't teach me in Sunday School
By Rob Parsons
Hodder & Stoughton. 164 pages. £5.99
ISBN 0 340 64276 9

This is an easy-to-read, slim volume of helpful anecdotes and quotations from many sources, mixed with true stories from the author's own life.
As I am not married and have no children, this was my first taste of Rob Parsons' literary talents (he has also written two best-sellers: The sixty-minute father and The sixty-minute marriage). I particularly enjoyed the opening piece on his early days at Sunday School, and would have liked the book to continue with more of the same, rather than becoming a compilation of other people's observations - many of which I had met before. But I can appreciate that for many readers, Rob is breaking new ground in what he is saying.
It was immensely encouraging to read how such a well-known speaker has had times of turmoil, when God has seemed far away, or answers to questions have not come easily. I admire his honesty in this respect, for baring his inner self and daring to be real. Too many Christians hide behind the facade of a false smile and the words: 'I'm fine.' Bravo, Rob, for admitting you are human!

What They Didn't Teach Me in Sunday School

Life's lost lessons

Shirley Collins