“KEY” Strategies For a Healthy Sunday School Ministry Keith M. Stewart Consultant Sunday School/Open Group Ministries Georgia Baptist Convention

ssog.gabaptist.org

What do Southern Baptist Sunday Schools have in common? Although they may appear to be doing the same thing, they are not getting the same results. One of the key differences is how they view the purpose of the Sunday School. The perceived purpose can be an energizer or a barrier!

KEY #1 – Leaders Understand the Purpose of Sunday School “The purpose of the Sunday School is to study the Bible.” This definition is not incorrect; it is incomplete. Historically, the purpose of the Sunday School was centered on the study of the Bible with the ultimate aim of reaching people with the Gospel as believers are directed by the Great Commission.

KEY #1 – Leaders Understand the Purpose of Sunday School The Driving Force of Sunday School is the Great CommissionThe Driving Force of Sunday School is the Great Commission “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The Driving Force Should Not Be … TraditionTradition MoneyMoney StructureStructure PowerPower

What is the purpose? “Sunday School is the foundational strategy in a local church for leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and for building Great Commission Christians through Bible Study Groups that engage people in evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship.”

KEY #2 – Sunday School is Organized for Growth & Ministry PROSPECTS CLASSES LEADERS SPACE CONTACTS

 Good organization will encompass the church as well as individual classes.  To age-grade or not?  Age grading simplifies organization.  Age grading assists guests  Age grading assimilates  Age grading gives accountability for follow-up  Remember: We are called to be committed, not comfortable.

The teacher cannot do it alone! Adult Class Leadership Team The teacher cannot do it alone!

Remember: “Sunday School is not just another organization in your church. It is the church organized for growth and ministry.” Sunday School is assimilation Sunday School impacts giving Sunday School improves evangelism Sunday School is ministry Strong Sunday School = Strong Church

KEY #3 – Enrollment is Properly Defined & Applied Enrollment is a list of people that I commit to minister to. When do you enroll? When do you remove? Open Enrollment: –Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime, As long as they agree.

KEY #3 – Enrollment is Properly Defined & Applied Two Keys to Evaluating Enrollment: 1- How does your enrollment compare with your resident membership? 2- Attendance should be 40-60% of enrollment. –Less than 40% reflects weak ministry –More than 60% reflects weak outreach

KEY #4 – Contacts Are Made With Consistency Contacts are ministry touches through visits, cards, s, letters, or calls. Effective ministries average 100% contacts each week! Why? To minister to members and for outreach to prospects. Results: Members know you care and prospects know they are wanted. What happens when absentees go unnoticed?

KEY #5 – Leaders Are Trained For Effectiveness II Timothy 1:6 “An untrained Soldier is nothing more than a target for the enemy.” – Andy Anderson Every winning team meets to practice, prepare, and strategize!

KEY #6 – Space Is Provided For Growth If you are going to grow you must have room to grow but don’t limit yourself because of no space! –Preschool formula - 35 square feet per person –Children’s formula - 25 square feet per person –Youth & Adult formulas - 18 square feet per person Total education space square footage ____ divided by 45 square feet per person = ____ (MSSA) x 80% = _____ (ASSA). –(Average class attendance: Preschool:7, Children:10, Youth:8 & Adults:12) Find new space, be creative!

KEY #7 – There Is Plan For Outreach Churches cannot grow without prospects A person is not a prospect until you have: –Name, Address, Phone, Age & Spiritual Condition 1 of 2 lost people enrolled in Sunday School will be saved. 1 of 400 not enrolled will be saved. Rainer Study of Assimilation: –90% vs 10%

Visitation still works! A message is given to the person being visited. A message is given to the class. What if you can’t go every week? Count people “in” instead of “out” on outreach night! FAITH

Key #8- New Units are Created New Units reach new people! Adjust your terminology Create a “missionary climate” Plan, implement, and celebrate Where Do We Start New Units? Look at class performance: enrollment and attendance Classes with too wide an age span Classes to large for their room Nearly and Newly Weds Special Needs Classes Off-campus Bible studies

KEY #8 – New Units Are Created Take your enrollment and divide it by the number of classes. –less than 14 per class… a non-outreach church –15-18 per class … a growing church –19-29 per class … a maintenance or plateaued church –more than 30 per class … a declining church or your back door is wide open The best way to create a class is to …

Step By Step 1.The teacher should enlist an apprentice. 2.The apprentice should teach once per month. 3.The teacher should announce the birth of a new class six weeks before. 4.Four to eight members or couples accept call as “missionaries” to new class. 5.Veteran teacher takes missionaries to new class. 6.Apprentice teacher becomes leader of established class.

Key #8- New Units are Created Where Do We Start New Units? Look at class performance: enrollment and attendance Classes with too wide an age span Nearly and Newly Weds Special Needs Classes Week night or Saturday Off-campus Bible studies Classes too large for their room Professional groups, family groups, etc.

FINALLY: KEY #1KEY #1 – Leaders Understand The Purpose Of Sunday School KEY #2KEY #2 – Sunday School Is Organized For Growth & Ministry KEY #3KEY #3 - Enrollment Is Properly Defined And Applied KEY #4KEY #4 - Contacts Are Made With Consistency KEY #5KEY #5 - Leaders Are Trained For Effectiveness KEY #6KEY #6 - Space Is Provided For Growth KEY #7KEY #7 – There Is A Plan Outreach KEY #8KEY #8 – New Units Are Created

ssog.gabaptist.org

“KEY” Strategies For a Healthy Sunday School Ministry Keith M. Stewart Consultant Sunday School/Open Group Ministries Georgia Baptist Convention