Archive for 100 Small Changes – Page 2

Not Just for Church Members

By David Ludwig · Comments (0)
Monday, November 7th, 2016

welcomebricksWHY THIS IS IMPORTANT? Do first time guests show up for Sunday School? Maybe they don’t know they’re invited?  Do your church website, Facebook page, and other publicity unintentionally imply that Sunday School is for “Members Only?”  Sunday School and adult groups are for everyone, but if you’re a new believer or didn’t grow up in church this might not be known or understood.

Sunday School, Life Groups, or whatever you call them, are the place where discipleship begins.  The setting should be an open group (anyone is invited to join at any time) with a stand-alone lesson every week.  This is different than an accountability group or a deeper learning discipleship class where one larger topic is explored often over the course of 8-12 weeks or more.

WHAT DO I DO? Because Sunday School has this format, people need to know that you don’t have to be a member to join.  Even if that is obvious by your church sign, website and other publicity, make sure that your group members know to communicate that to their friends and neighbors.

It’s been said many times, people aren’t looking for a friendly church, they are looking for friends!  What better place to find friends than in the Sunday School groups!  Make sure your class is a place where people who are looking for friends can find them, even before they become a member.

Invite and expect friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors. Greet them warmly. Connect with them in and beyond group time. Add them to the group care list.

Related posts:

  1. Expect Group Members to Invite Friends and Family to Class
  2. How Many Lost People Should Be on My Roll?
  3. The Impact of Church Facilities on Church Growth
  4. The Church’s Best Discipleship Strategy Is…
  5. Equip Your Members to Share the Gospel
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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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Using Social Media to Reach and Minister to People with your Group

By Mike Taylor · Comments (0)
Friday, November 4th, 2016

socmedWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Many are familiar with the idea of making contacts through cards, letters, phone calls, and visits for their Sunday School or Small Group.  We understand the value of a personal touch with face-to-face conversation, but we must not neglect the social media world that exists as well.

Making contact or connecting with those we have on our list is essential. Ask questions. Communicate events and information. Enrich relationships. Despite the proliferation of social media, many groups are still not using these tools connect with those on their ministry list and to others as well.

WHAT DO I DO? Here are a few things to consider when using social media with a group.

  • Understand what types of social media are used by your group so you can be the most effective.
  • Communicate weekly with social media.
  • Use social media to continue the teaching of the previous group experience or to prepare for teaching for the upcoming meeting of your group. This helps with application.
  • Use social media to promote group socials and update prayer requests and ministry needs.
  • If using Facebook, create a group for your group. Here is a video on how this is done and how it can benefit your group for both ministry to the members and reaching new people as well. https://vimeo.com/133695454

Stay in touch with your group. Use social media to complement your personal touch contacts. Doing so will enrich your communication and your care.

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Sunday School
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Why Not Write Your Own Job Description?

By Ken Kessler · Comments (0)
Thursday, November 3rd, 2016

jobdescWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? A common, growing practice in leadership communities is for people to write their own job descriptions for their roles. Doing so tends to lead to greater understanding of their responsibilities and ownership of their work. So why not write one for your role in Sunday School?

WHAT DO I DO? So what do you need to write one? Allow these questions to foster your thinking:

  • How does your role fit into the purpose of your church’s Bible study or small group ministry?
  • What goals does your church have that your role supports?
  • What are the special actions you take each week? Each month? Each quarter?
  • What are the expectations that your leader has for your role?
  • How has God gifted you to perform this role in your congregation?

When you finish, look over what you have. When you accomplish the description you have written, how will your group be reaching and growing people in the service of our Lord? Be committed to do what the Lord has impressed on your heart. Hold yourself accountable for what you have written. In fact, think about the goals you can develop for your group’s ministry based on this job description. Pray for the Lord’s harvest through your willingness and commitment.

Find other group leaders and share what you have done. Help them develop their own job descriptions.

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Sunday School
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