As a Sunday School teacher or a small group Bible study leader you need to know the members of your group.  You should be praying for them every week and praying for them by name and specifically praying to the needs in their life.

If you can’t identify the information below about everyone in your group it could be that your group is too large and it’s time to start another group.  Or you need to do a better job of getting connected to those in your group.

What is it that you need to know in order to really connect with those in your group?  You need to know the following …

• Their name. We need to call people by name even at church.  We need to use their names when we pray out loud in your class/group.
• Family members. If you are going to connect then you better know those who live with them.  Who is in their household.
• Their joys. What do they love to do when they have a day off or where do they go on vacation?  What are their hobbies and interest?  Know those things and help connect them with those in the group that have similar interest.
• Their hurts. All of us have something that has our attention.  Pray for them and help them with their hurt.

If you don’t know these things about people it is doubtful that you will fully connect with them.  But in order to know these things about others you first must be willing to let these things be known about you!

Dr. Smith is the lead state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and serves the Sunday School, Small Groups, Discipleship and Faith Development Specialist.  Visit their website at gabaptist.org/groups/ for more information and other resources to aid your Sunday School or Small Group.  Dr. Smith is available for conferences or other speaking opportunities and can be contacted at tsmith@gabaptist.org.

How do you ask someone to get involved in your Sunday School class or small group Bible study?  Your church may use the term “enrollment” or “connected”.  Whatever term you use the end result is the same.  You should be aggressive to add new people to the ministry list of your class or group.

When inviting a new person to join your group please share with them the positive experiences you’ve had in your group.

• Every week your group is praying for each other.  Tell them that others will be praying for them.
• We love to get together.  My group gets together about once a month for a fun time outside of our regular group time.  This is done to help promote the development of friendships.
• Bible study. The study of God’s Word is best thing about our group.  We find answers to some of life’s hardest issues.  We also gain a better understanding of who God is by studying the Bible.
• At this point tell the new person how you’ve been ministered to by your group.  All of us have had those tough times and most of us would not have been able to make through those times if it were not for our group.

One way to think about it is that you are sharing Sunday School/group testimony. Don’t try to be the salesperson but rather be that satisfied customer telling the benefits.

Dr. Smith is the lead state missionary with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and serves the Sunday School, Small Groups, Discipleship and Faith Development Specialist.  Visit their website at gabaptist.org/groups/ for more information and other resources to aid your Sunday School or Small Group.  Dr. Smith is available for conferences or other speaking opportunities and can be contacted at tsmith@gabaptist.org.