Key Actions for Sunday School Class Growth, Part 3

Sunday 5th April, 2009

In Part 1 I mentioned that most teachers start a new class with a desire for the class to grow and for others to experience great teaching and relationships. Before long, busyness fills a teacher's time leaving little for class growth activities beyond preparation for another lesson. Lack of focus, time, and energy spent on key actions for class growth become stumbling blocks to growth.

Revolutionary Sunday School leaders prioritize growth actions. This five-part series assumes Sunday School is a priority and will address key actions which can help move toward class growth. What are some of the actions necessary for Sunday School class growth? In Part 1, three actions were considered: reaching out, reaching in, and meeting needs. For Part 2, three more actions were considered: leading, keeping good records, and following up. In Part 3, we will look at consider three more actions:

  • ADDING WORSHIPERS TO THE PROSPECT LIST. One of the most often ignored but most important sources of prospects for Sunday School classes are worship guests. Invitations by Sunday School teachers and class members are essential in helping these guests make a second visit to the church. Invite worshipers to your homes, your fellowships, and your class. And don't forget to invite new church members on the Sunday they join! Invite worship guests and new church members to join your class. Then reach out in genuine care. Andy Anderson discovered that attending Sunday School is more than 100 times more likely to lead a person to Jesus Christ than attending worship alone over twelve months. Grow your class through consistently inviting and enrolling worship guests and new church members!
  • SETTING AND PURSUING GOALS. Raise the vision for your class. Help them to understand what you are trying to do and where you are heading. Help the class to understand their part in class growth. Challenge them to pursue goals for invitations, contacts, class attendance and enrollment, new members, fellowship guests, and more. Break goals down by month or quarter to make them more manageable. Invite class members to set and pursue their own goals to help the class accomplish class goals. Develop class plans and steps for reaching and exceeding all goals. For more ideas, be sure to check some of the links below. Grow your class through consistently setting and pursuing goals!
  • INVOLVING EVERYONE. Find a place for every member (and even regular guests) to participate in lessons and in class activities. Without a place of involvement, they are more likely to become disconnected and drop out. Divide into reaching, teaching, and caring teams. Ask every class care group to share contact responsibility. Divide the class into smaller discussion groups during the lesson (without embarrassing anyone). Ask every current leader to apprentice someone. Involve attenders in fellowship and project plans. Share discipleship and spiritual discipline growth plans. For more ideas about teams, check out these posts: Sunday School Class TEAMS, Sunday School Class FISH Team Training, Winning Sunday School Teamwork, Sunday School Teamwork, or the Lack Thereof?, and A Simple Two-Part System for Getting Sunday School Class Ministry Done, Part 1. Grow your class through consistently involving everyone!
Evaluate your class. Which of these three is best done by your class and which needs strengthening? What can you do this week to take steps toward improving the area in need of strengthening? Who can help you with that key action? Review Part 1 and Part 2 to consider the six previous key actions. In Part 4, we will look at three more key actions: conducting fellowships and projects; preparing prayerfully and teaching well; and providing enough space, furnishings, and equipment. Add worshippers. Set goals. Involve everyone. Grow. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about goals, check out these blog posts:

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Posted in:  Assimilation  Outreach  Teaching  at 05:36:00 PM
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