Almost every church I pass as I drive around the great state of Missouri has a sign out front that shows their schedule for worship and Sunday School. Some call it “Bible Study.” Some call it “Life Groups.” But really it is “Sunday School.” I often wonder if all these churches are having Bible study each week, why aren’t we seeing more of an impact on our communities? Why are most Sunday Schools in decline rather than growing? Why are we not seeing the lives of those attending being transformed by the gospel?
I believe the answer to those questions is that most churches are just “having” Sunday School rather than “using” their Sunday School to grow God’s Kingdom. What’s the difference between “having” Sunday School and “using” Sunday School?
• Members don’t just show up, they come expecting something to happen.
• Teachers teach with transformation in mind, not just covering the material in the quarterly.
• Rather than just praying for the sick and hurting, evangelistic prayers are offered and plans are made to share the gospel with the lost.
• Rather than just a place to come and have Bible study each week, leaders understand that the purpose of Sunday School is to “reach” the lost, “teach” the Bible for transformation and “minister” to members and prospects.
On March 23 we will have an opportunity to learn firsthand how to do Sunday School right. The “Sunday School Done Right” Conference will be held at First Baptist Church in O’Fallon from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. It will feature Allan Taylor, the Minister of Education at First Baptist Church Woodstock, Georgia. Allan is the author of the Sunday School Done Right materials and is a great communicator and conference leader. Even though his church runs thousands in Sunday School each week, the material relates to all churches no matter their size or location. And Allan will communicate the materials well to everyone present, whether your church runs 400 in Sunday School or 40 and whether you are located in an urban community or rural community.
This will be the only presentation of the material this year. Although it may be a long drive for some to attend, our hope is that pastors and Sunday School directors will plan to attend to learn about the material and then go back and teach the material to the Sunday School workers in their churches. Churches in the local area of O’Fallon are encouraged to bring as many of their workers as they can. Each person attending will receive a copy of the Sunday School Done Right workbook. Lunch will also be provided at the church.
Cost is $15 per person, $20 after March 8 and at the door. Registration and promotion information is available on the Missouri Baptist Convention Sunday School web site: www.mobaptist.org/sunday_school. Or call/email Pam Jeffries at 1-800-736-6227 ext. 337 pjeffries@mobaptist.org.
Is your church just having Sunday School, or are you using your Sunday School to grow? Come take advantage of this training opportunity with one of the leading Christian educators in the country. Let’s do Sunday School right!