June 2009

05.27.2009

“3—5—10”

This month we’re looking at the last of our strategic numbers for Sunday School. If you have been following along, you know I’ve written about the 3 and the 5. Let me recap what those are.

3: The desired number of leaders in a class to run the class efficiently and effectively, so there would be no single super-leader/teacher doing everything. Ideally, each class would have one teacher to prepare the lesson each week. There would be one outreach coordinator who assigns class members people to contact each week – those missing in action. And finally there should be a fellowship coordinator who will plan and coordinate class gatherings.

5: This number is important because it allows the three leaders to teach by example. Each of those three class leaders should contact and minister to a maximum of five other class members. Men contact men and women contact women. This builds class relationships and is accomplished via phone, email, text, personal visits or any other means. With these three leaders contacting five other members, it is easy to see that the class already has eighteen people being ministered to.

The last number we’re going to strategize is the number 10.

According to research from LifeWay, every time a new Bible study group (Sunday School) is started, an average of ten (10) people are added to the church. I actually wondered about this number when I first heard it, but I counted how many we added after beginning the Revolution Sunday School class, and from this class 14 people have been added (when counting both the parents and kids). I’ve also talked with two other veteran Ministers of Education, and both confirmed this number to be fairly accurate. Remember, we’re talking averages.

I hope by now you see what is taking place; if not, let me explain. Sunday School is about much more than simply coming to church and learning a lesson. That is part of it, but that’s not everything. If each class follows the 3-5-10 formula, it fosters a process of building relationships. And relationships are a type of invisible glue that holds your class together; the stronger the relationships, the stronger your class will be.

Life is too short to live without life-sharing relationships, and your Sunday School class is supposed to be the small group with whom you share life. Let me close by encouraging you to step up and take an active role in your Sunday School class. Too often we talk about wanting the church or class to grow but we don’t do anything about it. Now is YOUR chance to make a difference; it’s time to step up and serve. If you truly want to see God move in the church, then let Him begin by moving you to have the right heart attitude to serve.

Remember, we’re all in this together, and I’m pulling for ya!
Until next month,
Danny Joe

Posted by arbc at 07:52 AM