Author Archive for Darryl Wilson – Page 2

Connect Through Prayer and Bible Study 2: Speak to God

By Darryl Wilson · Comments (0)
Tuesday, August 20th, 2019

Prayer and Bible study are powerful tools for connecting. When we pray with people, we demonstrate that we care and that God cares. When we open God’s Word together, we hear His plan to love us into relationship with Him through Jesus.

What are practical ways to connect through prayer and Bible study? Take these actions together:

  1. Bible study. Open God’s Word together. Examine the context. Together seek to understand what God’s message was to the original hearers. What was the point of the passage? Then seek to apply that message or point to life today. Finally seek to understand God’s personal message to each of you.
  2. When you opened God’s Word, He spoke. Now, what is your response to what God said in Bible study? This is your opportunity to agree with Him, to confess to Him, and to make requests of Him in response. Speak, write, or pray your response to Him.
  3. God spoke. You responded, but God expects change as a result of the encounter with Him in His Word. What does He want you to do, and are you willing to do what He expects? Are you willing to commit to change? Tell Him in prayer or writing.
  4. To this point, you have not carried out the change that God desires. It is important to review your response to His expectations over the next few days. Are you making progress? Bottom line: did I do what God expected? The is where the encouragement of a friend or reviewing a journal can help us to keep our commitments to God.

These steps of prayer and Bible study offer great opportunities for connecting. They allow us to demonstrate transparency. We become encouragers and cheerleaders. Connections matter!

Darryl Wilson serves as Sunday School & Discipleship Consultant for the Kentucky Baptist Convention and is the author of the Sunday School Revolutionary blog. He served churches in Kentucky and South Carolina as Minister of Education & Administration.

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Categories : Bible Study, Connect, Prayer

The Phone Call (What to Say On A Follow-Up Call)

By Darryl Wilson · Comments (0)
Sunday, August 27th, 2017

BEFORE CLASS: James came to your church for Sunday School. He was brought to class by the Sunday School greeter who shared James’ registration form.

The class greeter welcomed James and introduced him to the class. No one embarrassed James by asking him to speak out loud. James had a good experience during class. Several spoke to James as class ended.

AFTER CLASS: The class greeter walked James to a restroom and worship. In worship, the greeter sat with James and introduced him to some of those around them. At worship end, the greeter tells James he enjoyed spending time together and invites him back to class.

WITHIN 72 HOURS: Bob, a member of the class, contacts James by phone. Bob thanks James for being in class. They share a couple of comments about the lesson and the group. Bob then asks James if he has any questions about the class or the church.

After answering James’ questions, Bob invites James to a class fellowship planned in a couple of weeks. He even offers transportation.

Bob then asks how he can pray for James and his family. Bob writes down what James shares. Then Bob asks permission to pray with James. When James agrees, Bob prays for James and his requests.

Bob closes the call by thanking James again for coming to class and says he hopes to see him again Sunday. James is more likely to return because care was expressed!

Darryl Wilson is the Sunday School and Discipleship Consultant at the Kentucky Baptist Convention.

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Categories : 31 Ideas of Outreach & Evangelism, Evangelism, Outreach/Evangelism
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Leading Your Group in an Evening of Outreach

By Darryl Wilson · Comments (0)
Wednesday, November 9th, 2016

phonecallWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Planning, dreaming, and goal setting are valuable in advance of implementation. But if you don’t lead, they won’t follow. Ask them to join you. Group members need to see your example and leadership in this important area. Give your group members a simple, concrete way to get involved in outreach–especially if they are just wading into outreach. Consider an evening of outreach teamwork.

WHAT DO I DO? Your planning time should assess members’ preferences, passions, and schedules. With that information, here are some important tips for offering an evening of outreach:

  • schedule the evening when your group can be there
  • communicate a start and end time
  • in advance, assign (or enlist) each of them for a team task (encourages keeping commitments)
  • send reminders and ask group members to pray in advance
  • save everyone time by setting things up in advance (tables, directions, assignments, etc.)
  • at start time share affirmation and quick, simple verbal instructions
  • pray together for God to use the efforts
  • offer three outreach teams (if you have enough people):  cards, calls, and visits (drop cards if the group is small–they can be done during group time)
  • ensure all visits are made by teams and only at home doors–send no one out alone
  • any teams finishing early continue to pray for those who are still reaching out
  • finish with a celebration time of reports, fellowship, and snacks.

Remember to continue to pray and to follow up! Welcome guests. Invite them to enroll.

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Sunday School
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Add a New Teaching Method This Week

By Darryl Wilson · Comments (0)
Sunday, November 6th, 2016

clayWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Jesus is our example. He used a variety of teaching methods on purpose. Message and context make a lot of difference.

The same is true today. Group members learn in a variety of ways. When we use teaching methods that address their preferred learning styles, their attention and retention increase. Both are essential for us to be effective in “teaching them to obey” (Matthew 28:20). In addition, some methods just naturally communicate the truth of God’s Word best.

WHAT DO I DO? Allow me to share some practical steps out of my experience:

  1. Discover your own learning styles by taking an inventory. Here are three samples: Learning Style Inventory, Got Style, and Learning Style Inventory.
  2. Allow class time for your group to take an inventory. (Print one.)
  3. After class, look through the results. Identify the top 2 learning style preferences for each person. Expect a lot of variety. Compare their styles with yours.
  4. Prepare to add one new method (which address their learning styles) to your normal routine.
  5. To choose wisely, consider which method best communicates the truth of God’s Word to learners with their preferred learning styles. (Good curriculum will offer many choices of methods.)
  6. Plan to use the “new” method in small doses (maybe 5 minutes) each week for a month to watch for response and build acceptance.
  7. Then try a “new” method the next month and two new methods in the third month. Increase amount of time for methods receiving the most positive response.
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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Sunday School
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One out of Three

By Darryl Wilson · Comments (0)
Saturday, November 5th, 2016

thirdWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Andy Anderson did Sunday School research and conferencing for the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay) in the 1970s. He made an important discovery in his research among small, medium, and large churches around the country–who were in a mix of rural, suburban, and city settings. He discovered that when 3 lost people were enrolled and active in Sunday School for a year, one out of the three would be saved.

Because that research was dated, over the last five years I  have asked Kentucky pastors how many lost people are saved in the first year of attending their classes. The consistent responses from over 100 pastors is 50-100%! Wow, we need to enroll and care for more lost people in Sunday School!

WHAT DO I DO? Lead your class to see, pursue, and include lost people. Lead your class to…

  1. Pray. Identify and pray for lost people in the age group for the class.
  2. Connect. Get to know lost people, especially those for whom they are praying.
  3. Invite. Include lost people in your invitations for fellowships, projects, meals, and group time.
  4. Enroll. Ask them if you may add them to your class care list.
  5. Care. Contact them, pray for them, fellowship with them, and meet their needs.
  6. Example. Talk about someone you are praying for, inviting, and working to enroll.

Lead the class to make a list of lost people to pray for and reach out to. Lead your class to take steps this month!

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Enrollment, Evangelism, Outreach/Evangelism
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