Archive for space

The 5 Biggest Mistakes Churches Make in Classroom Design

By Dr. Tim S. Smith · Comments (0)
Wednesday, October 12th, 2016

narrowroomWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? I’ve seen more than five mistakes so this will not be a complete exhaustive list of things to avoid or include in the design of your new education space.  I wish there were only five mistakes so we could easily make those corrections but life is not that easy.  It can also be different for the various age groups that meet in the education space but here are the top five issues I’ve seen in recent years.

WHAT DO I DO? Consider these mistakes and ideas:

  1. Too many churches have been guilty neglecting preschool, children and youth space.  They’ve provided for the adults and in particular they’ve taken care of the older adults but fail to provide the best space for the next generation.  I told someone last week, “I always want to be part of a church that is for the next generation.”  So put my class or group in the worst space but make sure that my kids and grandkids have the best!
  2. Churches need space for moving people and gathering for non-official fellowship time.  When they design their buildings they don’t provide hallways that are wide enough nor do they include spaces for gathering prior to, during or following small group and worship experiences.
  3. Yes, we are spoiled and we would have time making in other places around the world but we like our modern-day conveniences.  Don’t go cheap when it comes to HVAC!  I always recommend that churches include both a supply line as well as a return line in every classroom.  Also make sure you include technology such as Wi-Fi, video and audio.
  4. Another big mistake is when churches break what I call the “1 for 2” rule.  That is when they design a classroom that becomes a long narrow box.  The goal should be for the classrooms to be more like a square than rectangular.
  5. When I started in ministry this was not even a thought but today it’s a different story because it is a different world!  When we design our church spaces we need to take very seriously the security issues.  In designing space for those under 18, the space needs one way in and it needs to be controlled.  Make sure your church has a plan in place for dealing with the various security issues.
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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study, Space, Space and Facilities
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What Every Student Needs in Their Sunday School Classroom

By Dwayne Lee · Comments (0)
Sunday, October 9th, 2016

welcomeWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? The Bible conveys to us that we have been made creatures have need relationships. I know that many might disagree with that statement, but it the core of our being I believe we all desire community.

Certainly there are those moments when we all look for that time of peace, quite and solitude.  I look for that myself, but at the end of the day we need relationships. We need people in our lives that can be there in the good times and in the bad. Your small group or Sunday school class is a great place for that to happen.

WHAT DO I DO? Community begins to take place when you do things outside of the classroom or group time. Too many times we simply go to church, go to our class, listen to the lesson, move into the worship time, get into our cars and go home without communicating with anyone.

I’m not talking about the casual “hello” or “How is it going”… I’m talking about connecting with people you are doing life with. My wife and I have made connection with a couple in our group and every week we are together we always talk about the next time we are getting together to grab a burger! Then it’s at the restaurant we can really begin to laugh, share, pray and enjoy each other’s journey and hear what God is doing in their lives.

So make the effort to start (or continue) those relationships within your group and see how God will use that to spark new opportunities.

Hebrews 10:25-25: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study, Space, Space and Facilities, Teaching
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The One Thing You Could Do in Your Classroom to Help Reach More People

By Dwayne Lee · Comments (0)
Sunday, October 2nd, 2016

groupprayerWHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Many church leaders have said jokingly, “Ministry would be fun if it was not for people…” But the fact is that “there would be no ministry if it were not for people!”

For too long our Sunday school groups have been inwardly focused, social clubs, or cliques (yes, I said it). One of the main purposes when Sunday school was established was reaching out to bring in other people. Jesus Himself said, “Go out into the highways, and hedges and compel them to come in…”

WHAT DO I DO? So what is ONE thing your class or group could do to reach more people? Her is my one thing: Prayer!

What do I mean when I say prayer? Let’s call people out by name! David Francis, Director of Sunday School for Lifeway Christian Resources reminded us in one of his “Franciscan epistles” that a class becomes a little more of a community when members of the class start praying for people by name.

Most of our classes have prayer time built into their group, but seldom when I sit in classes do I hear lost peoples’ names mentioned. Is it because we do not know any lost people? I’m sure that is not the case.

We are surrounded by lost people all the time, so start thinking about the one (or three) people you could pray for this coming Sunday.

Romans 10:1: “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.”

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Categories : 100 Small Changes, Bible Study, Space, Space and Facilities
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Space for Our Groups to Operate

By Darryl Wilson · Comments (0)
Tuesday, August 11th, 2015

TinyClassroomDo you love or hate the space in which your group meets? The best space is nearly invisible. It fits. There are no distractions like noise, glare, smell, etc. The temperature is just right. The encounter with God in His Word is fresh, fun, and life-changing with never a thought about the room.

But space is also a function of group size. A small group in a large space can feel depressed. A large group in a small space can feel excited while at the same time feeling crowded, dangerous, and uncomfortable.

Going a bit farther, space and group size impacts social dynamics within the teaching and learning environment. Let me share about the three most relevant group sizes from Joseph Myers’ The Search to Belong: Rethinking Intimacy, Community, and Small Groups. Think about them this way:

  • INTIMATE. You tend to know a lot about these people. How you teach one or two persons is a lot different. You share more honestly. This might include subgroups during group time or even prayer partners. Teaching and learning is more conversational.
  • PERSONAL. These groups might include a dozen. You tend to know names and stories. As group size increases past six, watch the teaching-learning expectation shift toward the teacher talking more. Home groups and smaller classes, especially in smaller churches, often have groups this size.
  • SOCIAL. You know many names and some stories. There is not time for everyone to talk. Lecture is common. Involvement demands subgrouping, which is facilitated best in open space. These are often larger classes, often in larger churches.

Make the most of your space and group size. In order to make disciples (as Jesus commanded in the Great Commission), don’t allow your room size (space) to dictate your methods. Personal and social size groups can change up teaching-learning dynamics simply by breaking the group into subgroups for part of group time. Spend time with individuals away from group time. Your investment in these ways can change you, them, and the group.

Also, expect your group to grow maturationally and numerically. But with growth comes change in group dynamics. Lead the way with care and sensitivity. Make the most of your space!

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Darryl Wilson serves as Sunday School & Discipleship Consultant for the Kentucky Baptist Convention. He served as Minister of Education in five churches in Kentucky and South Carolina and is the author of The Sunday School Revolutionary!, a blog about life-changing Sunday School and small groups.

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Categories : 31 Day Countdown, Space, Teaching
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