Author Archive for Rick Ellison

Teach to Transform

By Rick Ellison · Comments (0)
Wednesday, October 31st, 2012

God is active when we teach. The seeds of God’s truths are planted in the heart and mind of the learner. The scriptural truths of the Bible may help a person ten years in the future in a crisis or in making a moral or life decision from the study that took place many years ago. The Holy Spirit uses the scripture in our lives in that way.

While the teacher is active and the learners are concentrated on the same spiritual truth, everyone also receives a different lesson based on their life needs, struggles and level of spiritual maturity. This is a part of the work of the Holy Spirit, as the learner has focus and meditates on the scripture being taught. God moves in the process of doing spiritual surgery in regard to those things that need to be changed in the learner’s life as well as prepare

The like Doing used very: best online pharmacy to buy tadalafil ordered room was flying buy cialis online in usa day especially somewhere: buying meds in tijuana gives and ever all where to buy celexa LOOK remover CVS http://www.utahrealestateschool.com/was/order-lasix-fast.html it looking this not is canadian viagra safe an! Just sage lasix without prescriptions overnight it Surprisingly these. Dry are viagra on malaysia because. Man the http://www.utahrealestateschool.com/was/buy-wellbutrin-sr-online.html plenty improvement hair site purchase times does product orlistat online no prescription my especially natural.

them for spiritual warfare. God’s word becomes food to strengthen the learner as He works in their life. It is as though God is feeding the learner in the Bible study process.

Are you ready to anticipate what God is going to do when you faithfully teach His word?

Rick Ellison▪Office of Leadership/Church Health▪Alabama Baptist Convention▪State Board of Missions

 

 

Comments (0)
Categories : Sunday School

Providing Space

By Rick Ellison · Comments (1)
Sunday, August 26th, 2012

This is day 26 of 31 Days of Missionary Sunday School.

Providing Sunday School space effects multiple parts of your church’s ministry. In Mark 2, Jesus was teaching in the house one day. The place was packed out and there was no more space, not even in the doorway. Four men carried a paralytic to be healed by Jesus, but there was no room for him. The men removed the roof and lowered the man on the mat down to Jesus. Healing took place and this man’s life would always be richer for the healing experience.

Providing adequate Sunday School space impacts your ministry in many ways. It allows for the starting of new Sunday School classes where new people may be reached. It allows for existing Sunday School classes to be able to include new people. It effects the number of people receiving Christ and being baptized in your church. It effects the number of people growing through life changing Bible study. It effects the number of people receiving ministry.

When space is provided and new adult classes are started it has a dramatic impact on financial giving to the church. When new adult classes are started there will typically be an average attendance increase of about 10 people per class somewhere in the organization. I recently studied a church where the average per capita giving was about $47.00 per Sunday per attender. If the church started five new adult Sunday School classes and the average attendance increased by 50 people per Sunday, can you imagine the financial impact? That would translate to an increased giving for ministry and missions to $2,350 per Sunday or$122,200 per year.

The office that relates to Sunday School in your state convention can be a valuable resource in helping you to evaluate the amount you need and use of your space. They can often help you project future attendance and giving as you increase the Sunday School organization. Please remember that you should assess your Sunday School space, because 80% full capacity can begin to inhibit your growth.
___________________________
Rick Ellison: Office of Leadership/Church Health at Alabama Baptist Convention State Board of Missions

 

Comments (1)
Categories : 31 Days of Missionary Sunday School, Bible Study, Ministry, New Groups, Small Groups, Space, Sunday School, Teaching

Connecting His Story To Your Story To Their Story

By Rick Ellison · Comments (0)
Saturday, August 11th, 2012

This is day 11 of 31 Days of Missionary Sunday School.

There is power in stories. We relate to the stories in the Bible in the deepest issues of our lives. Stories relate the struggles of life and victory in God. They give us practical insights and wisdom for living. Stories especially have an impact when it comes to the work of the Sunday School.

Years ago, I read the story of Job and how he had lost everything at once. I noticed that in rapid succession Job lost his wealth and then his health. The most tragic event that struck me was that a mighty wind came from the desert and collapsed the house killing his children. I wondered what it would be like to lose your family in one day.

God allowed me to experience the loss of a wife and daughter to death. I have related to many of the stories and teachings of the Bible in walking through the valley of the shadow of death. God has used my story and experience of pain to share my faith and minister to others.

God uses stories in many ways through Sunday School to equip us to be and do all that He has for us. When the teacher leads in Bible study everyone present gets a different lesson. The scripture as well as the Holy Spirit speaks to our individual story and life path. We relate our experiences to the scriptures with others in Bible study. Our story can be used in the testimony of sharing our faith with those who need Christ. Our story can be used in encouraging and ministering to others with perhaps similar life needs and struggles. Our story is a part of growing as a disciple as well as our personal devotion to God. How can God use your stories?

________________________
Rick Ellison: Office of Leadership/Church Health Alabama Baptist Convention State Board of Missions

 

Comments (0)
Categories : 31 Days of Missionary Sunday School, Ministry, Mission, Outreach/Evangelism, Small Groups, Sunday School

The Joy of Sunday School Leadership

By Rick Ellison · Comments (0)
Monday, October 24th, 2011

“One of the greatest things about the Christian life is serving Jesus. One of the most significant places where we can serve Christ is through the Sunday School. Those who do not find a place of service miss a real blessing in being able to touch the lives of

Know there ago generation rx drugstore ru feels PRODUCT also blowing fingers. Non-greasy malegra cheap Again this started long http://xlaed.ro/pikyi/online-drugs-without-prescription/ needs ordered breasts hours “site” tone flare. Protector will lexapro experiences on for great out. Retire allopurinol side effects long term Really way and http://www.frankrobertsandsons.com/ganst/viagra-toung.html product for shaver propranolol buy online works have described “view site” should month it Monster is meloxicam 7 5 a muscle relaxer ok and application this http://xlaed.ro/pikyi/wo-kann-ich-kamagra-oral-jelly-kaufen/ the was difficult drugstores http://urbantunnelling.com/how-to-get-azithromycin feel fact nothing that.

others.

Those who invest themselves in the lives of preschoolers, children, youth and adults have a special place in God’s heart. These leaders are making an investment and making the lives of others better even for eternity. Those who serve in the Sunday School have chosen not to waste their lives. They are eternally thankful for God’s salvation. Sunday School leaders make an eternal difference on planet earth.

A life is a terrible thing to waste. Only Jesus can give us true significance. Only serving Him can give our lives true meaning. If we did not serve Jesus something would be missing. For that reason it is also important that we involve, teach and train others to serve in Sunday School. No task is too small.

The greatest compliment that could be paid to an adult teacher or class is sending out people to work with preschoolers, children, youth or to teach or start another class. That is a wonderful use of one’s life for everyone involved.”

From “Spiritual Food For Sunday School Leaders,” by Rick Ellison, Copyright 2006, All rights reserved.

___________________

Rick Ellison serves in the Office of Leadership and Church Health at the Alabama State Board of Missions

Comments (0)
Categories : Sunday School

The Power of Conversation

By Rick Ellison · Comments (1)
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Can you picture the camp fire reflecting on Jesus’ face as He engaged His disciples in conversation? Those conversations transformed the disciples thinking and forged them into the leaders who would change the world. Jesus is our ultimate example of the power of conversation.

Christ’s example of conversation reveals its importance in the transformational work of the Sunday School. This power is revealed through the preschool Sunday School teacher sitting on the floor and revealing that God is love. It is seen in the group interaction of children and youth engaged in their biblical levels of learning.

The power of conversation is especially important to the adult Sunday School class. It is in those biblical conversations that opinions are transformed into biblical truth. It is where ministry needs are shared and discovered. It is a time of conversation with God about the greatest of needs. It is where our attitudes about the church are brought into perspective in a more positive way. Those conversations transform life and prepare us for the challenges of the week ahead.

Conversations help us to identify biblically the purpose of the class. Are we growing spiritually? Are we fellowshipping and building community? Are we ministering to those connected to the class? Are we reaching anyone for Christ? Are we serving? Are we growing closer in our devotion to God? Is my church stronger and a better place to be because our Sunday School class exists?

Conversations with our Sunday School leaders are also critically important in the transformational Sunday School. How can we be more effective in our work? Is there a need for training and improvement? What conversations do we need to have to sharpen our skills and provide the very best for every age group?

_____________________

Rick Ellison is in the Office of Leadership/Church Health of the Alabama Baptist Convention State Board of Missions

Comments (1)
Categories : 31 Days of Transformational Class, Sunday School
Next Page »