By Dr. Fred Creason, Leadership Strategist, Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? We all know the routine: “Anybody got any blessings this week?”  “Anybody got any prayer requests?” “Anybody know how Emma’s surgery went?  I meant to go by the hospital, but I guess I didn’t.”  “Anybody know what happened to the Jones family?  Ken and Debbie haven’t been here for a while.  I meant to call, but I guess I didn’t.”

Some people like routine.  But many of us struggle.  We get tired of the same old questions, the same old answers, and the stifling sameness of our Bible study groups.

WHAT DO I DO? People don’t expect much from our Sunday School classes.  And they get what they expect.  But how do we change things?  How do we get the attention of Sunday School members, so that they look forward to coming to class?

We could redecorate the room, or rearrange the tables and chairs.  We could even try to move the blessing and prayer request time to the end of the class period.  But no lasting change will take place until we determine—as a group—why we meet.

Life-changing Sunday School classes know their purpose.  Sunday School began, in the late 1700s, as a ministry arm of the church—a way to get outside the church walls and into the community.  Every class has gifted members, people who can use their gifts and talents to serve others (carpentry, mechanics, yard care, cooking, etc.).

We won’t have to get our members’ attention, when God has their attention.  A class that ministers together will be excited to meet together.