I get many requests each year for church and associational Sunday School conferences. More than half of the time, the pastor, Sunday School director, or associational leader making the request says, "We just need the basics." I usually try to probe for a further definition of needs. It helps me and other conference leaders if we know as many specific needs as possible in order to customize the training.

Thinking about those conversations set my mind to listing the elements that make up "The Basics." What would you include on the list? Before going farther, press comments below and leave your thoughts; then use the back up key on your browser to get back to this blog post. What would you consider to be an essential for effective Sunday School? Those essentials would make up the basics.

Allow me to share a few thoughts about those basics. The following list is not intended to be comprehensive. In fact, they are just some of the hot topics that are important in effective Sunday School and which could be covered in training conferences:

• inviting new people,
• enrolling people,
• good records,
• sharing Jesus,
• caring,
• starting new classes,
• enlisting and developing new leaders,
• praying,
• meeting needs,
• serving together,
• facilitating an encounter with God in His Word,
• teaching and learning,
• preparation,
• planning,
• organizing to grow,
• effective space use,
• and so much more.

What would you add to the list? What other basics would you add. Press Comments below and continue the conversation! Give God your best! Do the basics with all your heart. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about Sunday School basics, check out these blog posts:

• Plan for Your Sunday School to Grow This Year, Part 1 and Plan for Your Sunday School to Grow This Year, Part 2
• Grow Your Sunday School: Set Goals This Year
• Personal Invitation and Enrollment: Twin Key Metrics in Sunday School Progress, Part 2
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Organizing for Care and Growth, Part 5
• Characteristics of a Good Sunday School Teacher, Part 3
• Four Tools for Growing Your Sunday School Class, Part 2
• Laying the Foundation for Sunday School
• Set God-Sized Goals for Sunday School Growth
• Planning Steps Toward Sunday School Progress

Tens of thousands across Kentucky and beyond have received training at Super Saturday over the last eighteen years. The training has included the following: Sunday School, small groups, discipleship, assimilation, youth ministry, preschool-children's ministry, pastors/staff/DOMs, evangelism, worship and music, leadership, WMU, Baptist Men, stewardship, finance, women's ministry, ministers' wives, church architecture, church secretaries, prayer ministry, single adults, and more!

We are still evaluating this year's six Super Saturdays. We are poring over the experiences and the evaluation forms. We listen and really desire to make them better every year. In so many ways, Super Saturday now requires twelve months of preparation every year because as soon as the events are over we are debriefing the events and quickly moving to confirm arrangements, content, and faculty.

Because we desire to make Super Saturday fresh every year, very little of the training offered is repeated. That means that church leaders, workers, and members can return every year to learn even more about their areas of responsibility. That is why we have a strong group of people (about two thirds) who return every year to Super Saturday.

In order to make Super Saturday 2010 even more valuable to returners and to new people, we seek input each year about topics for training that you need and that we might address. Would you take a moment to answer one or more of these questions by pressing Comments below or email responses to supersaturday@kybaptist.org:

1) What topic(s) would you like to see covered at Super Saturday 2010 (include your area of responsibility, such as Sunday School, etc.)?

2) What major areas of need in the church could be strengthened through offering training at Super Saturday 2010 (include program area that likely would address it, such as worship & music)?

3) How could Super Saturday 2010 strengthen Kentucky Baptist churches even more?

Thanks in advance for your responses. I look forward to reading them here and by email. With thousands of blog readers, we may not be able to address every suggestion offered. We will, however, do our best to address significant issues as we prepare for 2010. Just so you know the timetable, we gather content suggestions by January so that by February-early March program leaders can determine topics which will be taught at Super Saturday. Then they can enlist faculty by April-early May.

Also, for your information, the six Super Saturday 2010 cities and dates include the following:

• Lexington, August 21
• Louisville, August 28
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• Williamsburg, September 11
• Paducah, September 11
• Ashland, September 18
• Bowling Green, September 18

Hope to see you at Super Saturday 2010!

Saturday, November 7, 2009
9 am – 12:30 pm (EST)

Campbellsville University’s Ransdell Chapel
1 University Drive, Campbellsville, KY 42718

Does your church need a boost in discipleship? Is Sunday School reaching all parts of your community? Have you considered another option to engage your congregation in God’s word and life application? Small groups can help your church mobilize members and engage those in your community who cannot attend on Sunday morning.

Think Again…about Small Groups is a Saturday morning workshop designed to allow church leaders to rethink the way they are doing ministry. Sponsored by Campbellsville University and Kentucky Baptist Convention. Think Again 2009 will focus on small group discipleship. We’ll listen, think, and discuss with these small group strategists:

Rick Howerton, author of “Destination Community” (free copy with registration)

Dr. Darryl Wilson, KBC’s Sunday School Department Director

Questions? Call Campbellsville University at 270.789.5227.

Registration details:

• $15 by October 30
• $20 after October 30
• $10 student rate
• Includes materials, admission to football game, catered lunch, and book.
• Click here to register now.

• What You Can Do to Make Sunday School Classes Feel (and Act) More Like Small Groups, Part 1 and What You Can Do to Make Sunday School Classes Feel (and Act) More Like Small Groups, Part 2
• Transitioning from Sunday School ONLY to Sunday School WITH Small Groups, Part 1 and Transitioning from Sunday School ONLY to Sunday School WITH Small Groups, Part 2
• What Does Your Church Need Small Groups to Do?
• Turning Small Groups into Missional Communities, Part 1 and Turning Small Groups into Missional Communities, Part 2
• Should It Be Sunday School or Small Groups?
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• Reasons to Support Small Groups, Part 1 and Reasons to Support Small Groups, Part 2
• Sunday School/Small Groups Sermon
• Launching a Small Group or a Small Group Ministry
• Frequently Asked Questions about Small Groups
• Characteristics of a Small Group/Home Bible Study Group
• Ingredients of an Effective Small Group

George Yates of SonC.A.R.E. Ministries has recently relocated to Kentucky. I have enjoyed getting to know George and his passion for the church and specifically for Sunday School. I have already had opportunity to utilize him in an associational Sunday School training event. And you will want to pick up his book, Teaching That Bears Fruit.

In a recent GROWING TIMES newsletter, George wrote an article entitled Attendance Records vs. a Head Count. That article set my mind to thinking about the issue of this blog post. Before you dismiss this post as irrelevant to your Sunday School, read further. Sometimes, attitudes are better reflections of realities in your Sunday School than practices. Allow me to give an example: just because attendance records are kept does not mean that those records mean anything or result in needed revolutionary response. In other words, the attitude may still only be "counting heads."

Consider the following table comparing counting heads or keeping good records:

Where do your classes and Sunday School fall? Are you more on the counting heads side or keeping good records side? What can you do to move your class or Sunday School toward mobilizing needed ministry in response to keeping good records? Pray. Keep good records. Reach out. Care. Be revolutionary!

I realize we are in a day and time where there is only so much money and time. But I would hate for a self-defeating cycle to bring decline to Sunday School simply because of the wrong attitude. If Sunday School is not a priority for our time and money, it will get only the leftovers and in turn show the results. If you invest and expect nothing, you should not be surprised when you get what you expected.

Be honest. How do you think about money for Sunday School? Do you think of it as spending it or as investing it? How do you think about your time for Sunday School? Do you think of it as time spent preparing and working? Or do you view it as an investment? Your attitude makes a difference! Examine with me those two attitudes:

SPENDERS. Those who think of time and money "being spent" on Sunday School, often consider the work more as a chore than a privilege. They focus on an activity rather than a ministry and people. "Spenders" more often dread Sunday School purchases and work than looking forward to it with anticipation. Leaders who "spend money" are more focused on the past and tend to budget based on what was spent last year. They often focus more on those already there rather than new people. Directors and teachers who "spend time" on Sunday School tend to look for more and more ways to decrease the amount of time the work takes. "Spenders" are more hesitant to risk and less likely to see growth. "Spenders" dread making visits

INVESTORS. Those with the attitude of "investing" tend to see opportunities, people not yet reached, and lives not yet changed. They tend to focus on building upon the foundation rather than upon maintaining the status quo. "Investors" lead those responsible for budgeting to increase the investment in Sunday School wherever possible in order to see even greater results. "Investors" see ministry opportunities and new leaders to be discovered, enlisted, trained, and mobilized into service. "Investors" look forward to what God is going to do and to serving as teachers, directors, and workers in Sunday School. Those with an "investing" attitude consider the time and money invested wisely as "well spent" and invested in Kingdom work. "Investors" tend to be more willing to follow God's leadership and more willing to risk it all in order to be obedient and see the results He desires.

I realize that I have painted only a partial picture of the extremes, but measure yourself. Where does your attitude fall? Where does the attitude of other leaders in your Sunday School fall? What can you do to encourage other leaders to consider investing in Sunday School? How can you lead them to begin changing their attitude from spending to investing? Help them to see the possibility. Pray with them. Raise expectations. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about investing your time and money in Sunday School, check out these blog posts:

• Is It Sunday School Budget Planning Time Already?
• Life-Changing Sunday School Budgets
• Growing Your Sunday School by Increasing Your Budget
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Planning, Part 6
• The Many Hats of the Sunday School Director
• First Impressions: Start Sunday School on Time!
• Time Management for Sunday School Leaders, Part 1 and Time Management for Sunday School Leaders, Part 2
• Growth as Person, Disciple, and Sunday School Leader Requires Wise Use of Time
• Setting Up an Effective Sunday School Class Timetable
• Benefits of Starting Sunday School on Time
• Sunday School’s Neglect of the First Encounter, Part 9B
• Sunday School: Prioritizing Our Time to Care
• Sunday School Change Is Needed But Should Not Be Rushed

Revolutionary Sunday School is so much more than teaching. In fact, it is more than teaching and learning. It is about lives touched and changed. It is about Jesus making a difference in lives of attenders and through them to the community and world. It is about God speaking through His Word to individuals who in that moment of encounter recognize a holy God and realize their need to bow, worship, and respond. In other words, it is about examining scripture, listening to His personalized message, and applying it to who we are and how we live.

When scripture is examined, it is essential to set it into context in order to understand the Lord's message to the original hearers/readers. But then that message-in-context must be applied to today and to me. Revolutionary Sunday School is more than a historical study of the days, times, customs, people, and circumstances of a book called the Bible. When we open God's Word, He has a message for today as well. The truth is relevant for life today.

I want to suggest a simple three-step process which joins application and story in a way that encourages change to happen as a result of an encounter with God in Bible study. Consider these steps:

• THIS WEEK'S CONCLUDING APPLICATION. Each lesson should be built to lead attenders to apply one truth to their lives. The session should be designed to lead them to determine how they will respond as a result of meeting God in His Word. Participants should understand how the truth impacts them and their lives. And they should be led to led to consider what an appropriate action/response would be. They should consider action/response options and choose the one they sense God desires. And commit themselves to Him (and each other) to pursue it with His help (and theirs). The teacher will note and may write down to remember the responses.
• NEXT WEEK'S OPENING FOLLOW UP. At the end of last week's lesson, attenders committed themselves to respond obediently to what God said through study of His Word. It is appropriate to begin this week's lesson by asking how they did at living out the commitment. Without that question, there is no follow up of the commitment. There is no positive reinforcement to keep the promises made to God. There is no encouragement to move toward obedience, toward the change God desires. Such a question leads attenders to realize that the lesson is about more than knowledge and feeling good--it is about living differently as a result of an encounter with God in His Word.
• SHARING STORIES. The medium of life change is a testimony. It is sharing our stories with each other. When we encounter God in Bible study and are led to act differently, the story of our act of obedience should be told. The teacher and class members should desire to hear these stories. And the teacher can encourage the telling by asking how they did at living out the commitment to last week's truth. At first, members may need reminders during the week to keep their commitments and to come prepared to tell what happened. But soon members will be telling the stories the moment others arrive. Often you won't be able to wait until the lesson has officially started before they will be sharing. In fact, they may be sharing the stories during the week. God becomes real and active in the life of the class. As a result, they have fresh testimonies to share with friends and people in the community. That excitement become attractive. Learners become interested in studying God's Word together and in their daily quiet time. They want a fresh interaction with a real God who makes a difference in their lives.

What part of the marriage of application and story is missing in your lessons? What can you do to strengthen this three-step process this week? Where can you start? Pray. Prepare your lessons well. Plan for life change. Lead them to apply the truth. Challenge t hem to make a commitment to God to obey. Lead them to keep their promises. Hold them accountable. Lead them to follow up. Get them sharing their stories. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about teaching, check out these blog posts:

• Benchmarks for Excellence in Sunday School Teaching, Part 1, Benchmarks for Excellence in Sunday School Teaching, Part 2, and Benchmarks for Excellence in Sunday School Teaching, Part 3
• Wisely Choosing Sunday School Teaching Methods, Part 1 and Wisely Choosing Sunday School Teaching Methods, Part 2
• Sunday School Only for an Audience of One
• Why Is There No Variety of Teaching Methods in Sunday School?
• Characteristics of a Good Sunday School Teacher, Part 2
• Pray, Plan, and Prepare to Teach Sunday School for Lives to Change, Part 2
• How to Teach Them to Obey: By Example
• Improve Yourself, Improve Your Teaching
• Using the Bible in Adult Sunday School
• What Can Sunday School Do to Impact Life Change?
• Key Actions for Sunday School Class Growth, Part 4
• Four Ingredients of an Interesting Sunday School Class, Part 2
• Building Blocks for a Strong Sunday School Class, Part 3
• Benefits of Teaching Sunday School
• Learning Styles in Adult Sunday School
• Balanced Diet of Sunday School/Small Group Teaching Methods, Part 2
• Sunday School Teacher Tips, Part 1
• Blessings and Dangers from Coteaching Sunday School

Progress and learning in Sunday School are essential. If Christians fail to learn and apply that learning, they will become discouraged and drop out. While there is more involved in revolutionary Sunday School than learning, learning is an essential piece that cannot be left out. In fact, it is commanded. Jesus' command to His disciples upon leaving earth was to "make disciples of all nations...baptizing...and teaching them to obey" (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV).

How is Sunday School impacting lives? Are attenders learning? What are evidences that learning is taking place? Consider the following:

What would you add to this list? What can you to do encourage one or more of these evidences this week? What can you do to enable attenders to show how they have learned? How can you lead them to know and obey? Don't settle for teaching that bears no fruit. Allow enough time in class to apply God's Word and to check on how attenders are doing at living it out. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about growing as disciples through Sunday School, check out these blog posts:

• Don’t Just ASK Your Sunday School Class to Pray, TEACH Them to DO It, Part 1 and Don’t Just ASK Your Sunday School Class to Pray, TEACH Them to DO It, Part 2
• Winning Sunday School Teamwork
• Making Disciples Through Accountability in the Adult Sunday School Class
• Sunday School Carrying out the Purposes of the Church
• Are Home Bible Study Groups the Answer to the Simple Church?
• Sunday School Fellowship: More Than Food and Fun
• Su nday School Health Checkup, Part 1
• Measure Your Sunday School Strengths and Opportunities, Part 2
• Teaching Sunday School Members to Pray Through Scripture

In Part 1, I mentioned that I have been thinking about all the Sunday Schools that need to move from a neglected state of Sunday School toward a more revolutionary state. What does it take to move a teacher from neglected to revolutionary work? What does it take for a Sunday School director or pastor to move Sunday School from neglected to revolutionary? For a picture of what a neglected state of Sunday School looks like, check out the series of blog posts beginning with The Accumulation of Sunday School Neglect, Part 1.

Though not finished with my thinking yet, I am sharing initial thoughts. While there are specific responses to each of the areas of neglect mentioned above, some overall steps are required for making change, for moving from neglected to revolutionary Sunday School. In Part 1 of this series, I shared the first three of nine steps toward Sunday School change that I have identified: prayer, attention, and evaluation. In Part 2, I shared the next three steps: evaluation, motivation, and commitment. In Part 3, I will share the final three steps:

Don't forget that I mentioned in Part 1 that each of the steps require leadership. So leadership is an assumed tenth step. Consider the following steps in your Sunday School:

• OWNERSHIP. For change to occur, there has to be ownership of the change. People have to 'buy-in" to the change. They have to believe it and be willing to do something about it. Ownership is about moving from verbal commitment to individual decision. Some make a verbal commitment and then get cold feet. Others are able to talk them out of their commitment. Ownership is making a decision to move forward despite challenges, discouragers, and even personal concerns. It is making a group decision "mine." It is claiming my part of the change.
• ACTION. This is obvious. Change that never reaches this step is just an idea. Without action, there is no change. It has to be started and carried out. It has to be brought to a conclusion--even with adjustments along the way. The move from neglected to revolutionary Sunday School takes work. It takes patience, effort, time, involvement, flexibility, communication, tweaking, clean up, and celebration. It requires action.
• REPEAT. One change is never the end. More change is needed. When one change has been accomplished, it is time to pray, get attention, and evaluate again. It is time to build on progress. If you stop pursuing change, even briefly, it will make future pursuit of change more difficult. Keep the needed move from neglected to revolutionary going. Remember that it is easier to move an object in motion. Take a breather at the end, but don't rest too long!

How do you fare on these three steps? What about the previous six (see Part 1 and Part 2)? Which is your stre ngth? your weakness? What would you add or change to these early steps? Let's get a conversation going that strengthens Sunday School. Let's move from neglected to revolutionary Sunday School. Let's give God our best efforts. Let's make a difference for Him. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about Sunday School change, check out these blog posts:

• An Ownership Problem in Our Sunday School Work
• Sunday School’s Neglect of WHY and FOR WHOM, Part 3
• Sunday School: Is Anyone in Charge?
• 25 Ways to Recognize Sunday School Workers, Part 2
• Successfully Navigating Sunday School Change
• Priority: Recognize That God Is in Charge of Sunday School
• Be Intentional in Your Sunday School Leadership!
• Bringing Out the Best in Sunday School Leaders, Part 3
• Raising Sunday School Expectations without Losing Your Hair
• When Sunday School Is Done Right, Part 2
• What Is Your Plan for Adult Sunday School/Small Groups?
• How Can We Get New Members in Sunday School/Small Groups?
• Three Easy Steps for Revolutionary Sunday School Change
• How LARGE Should We Make Our Sunday School Goals?

In Part 1, I mentioned that I have been thinking about all the Sunday Schools that need to move from a neglected state of Sunday School toward a more revolutionary state. What does it take to move a teacher from neglected to revolutionary work? What does it take for a Sunday School director or pastor to move Sunday School from neglected to revolutionary? For a picture of what a neglected state of Sunday School looks like, check out these blog posts:

• The Accumulation of Sunday School Neglect, Part 1, Sunday School’s Neglect of Abiding in Him, Part 2, Sunday School’s Neglect of WHY and FOR WHOM, Part 3, Sunday School’s Neglect of Leadership, Part 4, Sunday School’s Neglect of Organizing for Care and Growth, Part 5, Sunday School’s Neglect of Planning, Part 6, Sunday School’s Neglect of Care for the Lost, Part 7, Sunday School’s Neglect of Care for One Another, Part 8, Sunday School’s Neglect of the First Encounter, Part 9A, Sunday School’s Neglect of the First Encounter, Part 9B, Sunday School’s Neglect of the Second Encounter, Part 10A, and Sunday School’s Neglect of the Second Encounter, Part 10B

Don't forget that I mentioned in Part 1 that each of the steps require leadership. So leadership is an assumed tenth step. Consider the following steps in your Sunday School:

• EVALUATION. Until leaders and members have an honest picture of current reality both in the church and community, little can be done to move Sunday School from neglected to revolutionary. This often requires someone helping them to look at history; goal progress; community demographic s; effectiveness of practices, organization, and leaders; potential and needs; priorities; and more. An annual planning retreat followed by monthly check-up times can be helpful in moving from neglected current reality to revolutionary potential future.
• MOTIVATION. It is essential in moving from neglected to revolutionary Sunday School, to bring attention to areas of needed change (see Part 1), but change also requires motivation to pursue the work needed to accomplish it. This addresses the "why" of change. Effective Sunday School change leaders help the organization to understand why the change is needed, how it will help to accomplish the work God has given, and how exciting the future will be. Since motivation is internally generated, leaders must tap into those internal cranks/interests/passions. Asking questions can be an effective method for discovering and addressing motivations.
• COMMITMENT. In order to move toward revolutionary Sunday School, recognition of needed next steps must occur. But that recognition is not enough to bring about change. It also takes commitment from key leaders who are willing to lead and work to bring about the change. This is key to bringing about forward momentum. There will often be early adopters who are willing to try new things immediately, but not all key leaders are naturally early adopters. Conversation with these key leaders is essential to lead them freely to make a commitment to take the next steps needed or change will be stymied.

For more ideas about Sunday School change, check out these blog posts:

• Improve Sunday School Through Evaluation
• S.W.O.T. Your Sunday School Work
• Sunday School Effectiveness Begins with Prayer and Evaluation
• Overcoming Hesitancy to Seek Evaluation as a Sunday School Leader
• Evaluate the Past Year Before You Set New Sunday School Goals
• Adult Sunday School Teacher Evaluation, Part 1 and Adult Sunday School Teacher Evaluation, Part 2
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Planning, Part 6
• Benchmarks for Excellence in Sunday School Teaching, Part 3
• Measures of Balanced Sunday School Progress
• Planning Steps Toward Sunday School Progress

I have been thinking about all the Sunday Schools that need to move from a neglected state of Sunday School toward a more revolutionary state. What does it take to move a teacher from neglected to revolutionary work? What does it take for a Sunday School director or pastor to move Sunday School from neglected to revolutionary? For a picture of what a neglected state of Sunday School looks like, check out these blog posts:

• The Accumulation of Sunday School Neglect, Part 1
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Abiding in Him, Part 2
• Sunday School’s Neglect of WHY and FOR WHOM, Part 3
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Leadership, Part 4
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Organizing for Care and Growth, Part 5
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Planning, Part 6
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Care for the Lost, Part 7
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Care for One Another, Part 8
• Sunday School’s Neglect of the First Encounter, Part 9A
• Sunday School’s Neglect of the First Encounter, Part 9B
• Sunday School’s Neglect of the Second Encounter, Part 10A
• Sunday School’s Neglect of the Second Encounter, Part 10B

It should be noted that all of the following require leadership. So it is an assumed tenth step. Consider the following:

• PRAYER. The first step in making any change is to be in a daily relationship with God from which all ministry and leadership flows. Relationship with God is primary. But when God lea ds you to focus on a need, problem, or goal, prayer is a natural response. Pray for God's presence, help, and leadership. Pray for the situation. Pray for the people involved and impacted. Pray for additional leaders and resources needed. Pray for interest and attitudes. Pray for results. Pray for God to be honored. Pray for lives to be touched and changed. Don't rush prayer. Pray before, during, and after change.
• ATTENTION. After you have prayed and led others to pray, you need to raise interest in the issue. Unless the change only involves you, it is essential to call others' attention to the problem or need in order to address it. Even if you can make the change by yourself, most change would benefit from having others involved. But when others are involved, they won't likely move toward change unless they see it. If it involves facilities, take them on a space walk. If it involves adding a ministry, take them to see how it is done well elsewhere. Calling attention to the issue in a visual way is much more powerful than verbal only.
• EVALUATION. In order to move others toward change, it helps to lead them honestly to evaluate the situation. Gather information and input. Ask questions. Share statistics when available. What is working well now? What would be the benefits of making the change? What will be the difficulties? How could the roadblocks be handled? How will the change honor God and help to carry out His work even better? Evaluation can cause a reaction/response. Allow others to share their viewpoints and try to learn from the content and emotion. Be prepared for hesitation and resistance. And be prepared for those who will want to move faster than the group can handle.

In Part 2 and Part 3, I will share the final six steps: evaluation, motivation, commitment, ownership, action, and repeat. How do you fare on the first three steps? Which is your strength? your weakness? What would you add or change to these early steps? Let's get a conversation going that strengthens Sunday School. Let's move from neglected to revolutionary Sunday School. Let's give God our best efforts. Let's make a difference for Him. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about Sunday School change, check out these blog posts:

• Why Are So Many Afraid of Change in Sunday School?
• Sunday School Change Is Needed But Should Not Be Rushed
• Successfully Navigating Sunday School Change
• How Many People Does It Take to Change Sunday School?
• Opposition to Sunday School Change
• What Can Sunday School Do to Impact Life Change?
• Three Easy Steps for Revolutionary Sunday School Change
• Training Sunday School Teachers for Change
• Extreme Makeover: Sunday School Edition
• Changing Sunday School Measurements, Part 1
• Pray, Plan, and Prepare to Teach Sunday School for Lives to Change, Part 1 and Pray, Plan, and Prepare to Teach Sunday School for Lives to Change, Part 2
• Which Way Is Your Class Facing: Inward or Outward?
• Revolutionary Sunday School: Changing Converts into Disciples

Sunday School is about so much more than numbers. But Sunday School is a great tool for the church in carrying out the Great Commission. When Sunday School become revolutionary, classes pray, care, and reach out to those outside the class. They share the love of Christ and many of those without a relationship with Him begin one. Members and absentees receive prayer, care, and relationships that keep them connected. They are taught and discipled to live changes lives that impact the people around them. They are led to encounter God in group and personal Bible study and prayer.

Two of the many things that can make this great tool even better are prayer and implementing the law of large numbers. Through prayer there is power from a fresh connection with God. Prayer leads to awareness of God and His work in and around us. This leads naturally to direction and greater confidence. Those who pray together experience unity. Sunday School needs prayer for direction, teachers and leaders, His presence, life change, reaching and teaching efforts, caring and sharing efforts, training, launching new leaders and classes, and so much more.

In addition to prayer, implementing the law of large numbers can make revolutionary Sunday School even better. What is the law of large numbers? Let me illustrate it. Andy Anderson served for seventeen years as a church growth consultant fro the Baptist Sunday School Board (now called LifeWay Christian Resources). One principle he discovered in his research back in the 1980s and 1990s was that making 7-10 contacts (cards/letters, phone calls, or visits) beyond the usual number often resulted in at least one additional person present in Sunday School. The law of large numbers would then apply this way: making 700-1000 contacts will usually result in at least 100 persons present.

I have shared this previously: I have seen this law at work in many high attendance emphases. I remember one high attendance day which was preceded by more than 2,000 contacts above the normal number. That day we had nearly 300 people above our average in Sunday School. The law of large numbers works.

Consider some of the ways that the law of large numbers can apply:

• contacts/invitations to attend Sunday School,
• contacts/invitations to attend fellowship or a meal at your home,
• invitations to join a Sunday School class,
• leading lots of unconnected/lost people to attend Sunday School resulting in professions of faith,
• enlisting and training lots of God-called teachers and leaders,
• starting new classes at and away from church,
• asking lots of people to join you in prayer for Sunday School,
• and more.

With such a great ministry tool for helping the church to carry out the Great Commission, revolutionary Sunday School leaders know that prayer and implementing the law of large numbers can make it even better. Let's pray more. Let's get more people involved. Let's start more classes. Let's enlist and train more teachers and leaders. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about making contacts, check out these blog posts:

• Sunday School Contacts Make a Difference!
• Sunday School Contacts Result in Increased Attendance
• Increasing Sunday School Class Attendance, Part 1
• Changing Sunday School Measurements, Part 2
• Identify and Invite Sunday School Prospects, Part 3
• Key Actions for Sunday School Class Growth, Part 1
• Top Ten Actions to Increase Sunday School Attendance
• Starting a New Sunday School Year with Momentum
• Benefits of High Attendance Sunday
• Nine Key Healthy Sunday School Issues, Part 2
• Prepare for the New Sunday School Year
• 5 Goals for Sunday School Growth This Year, Part 1
• Ideas for Making Friends Through the Adult Sunday School Class
• Grow Your Sunday School: Part 2, Steps for Inviting New People
• 5 Goals for Sunday School Growth This Year

When does a new year of Sunday School start. Many start close to the beginning of the school year. That means the new year for Sunday School launches on the first Sunday of September, second Sunday of September or a couple of weeks before September. Others opt for an earlier time in the summer. Why earlier? This decision is usually due to wanting to move teens or children into the next grade shortly after the school year ends. As a result, some launch a new Sunday School year on the first Sunday of June, July, or August.

No matter when the new Sunday School year begins, there are some things that should be done to prepare for a great launch:

• pray and seek God's leadership and blessing;
• enlist God-called leaders;
• provide training of all teachers/workers;
• commission the teachers/workers;
• clean/straighten all classroom space;
• restock the supply/resource closet;
• enlist new teachers/workers;
• start new classes;
• prepare new classrooms;
• paint/update Sunday School space;
• replace worn equipment and furnishings;
• organize to reach and care for people;
• prepare good records;
• make contacts with all members, absentees, and unconnected persons;
• plan new year fellowships;
• plan new year outreach/ministry/service projects;
• set goals for contacts, new members, and attendance;
• set aside time for a Sunday School planning retreat;
• and more.

What are you doing (or have you done) to prepare for the new year? Share it with readers by pressing Comments below. Give God your best effort. Pray. Start well. Plan. Launch new leaders and classes. Reach and care for people. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about launching a new Sunday School year, check out these blog posts:

• Prepare for the New Sunday School Year
• Starting a New Sunday School Year with Momentum
• Celebration Sunday in Sunday School
• Plan an Exciting Launch to the New Sunday School Year
• New Sunday School Teachers: Getting Ready for a New Year
• Sunday School: Guest Follow Up Temperature
• Is It Time for a Sunday School Clean-up Day?
• Three Easy Steps for Revolutionary Sunday School Change
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Planning, Part 6
• Giving Sunday School Direction Through a Planning Retreat

If we are going to impact the darkness around us, if we are going to carry out the GREAT Commission our Lord gave us, we are going to have to mobilize more adults into inviting and winning unconnected people and in discipling them. A key piece of this task is to build great preschool, children's, and youth Sunday School classes.

Far too many adult teachers and classes are selfish, self-focused, and self-serving. They want only to feel good. They are not concerned for needs outside of their own classes. They don't see the need for teachers/workers in other age groups. Their eyes ignore the pleas and needs of people in the community around them.

A friend of mine, Bob Mayfield of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, has written a convicting blog post entitled, The Aquarium Sunday School. Allow me to share a part of what he wrote (you will want to go back and read the whole thing):

I have now gone three consecutive days...where I have had teachers in preschool or children's Sunday School classes tell me that they will be teaching alone this Sunday. From the desperation in their eyes, it appears that no help is coming soon. Sunday a children's leader told me that she is 17 leaders short of having enough adults to minister to her church's kids. At the same time, each of these churches will...adult Sunday School classes this Sunday that are full of people who should be serving instead of sitting. Their teachers have created a Sunday School aquarium where these "disciples" can be happy.

...Just to be honest, it galls me to have boys and girls in our Sunday School departments, many...who...do not have a stable family life, and so few of our adults are willing to invest a little time each week to leave a legacy in a little boy or girl's life. I mean seriously, we have grown men who are afraid of a 6 year old!...

Here are some ideas to help lead people out of the Sunday School aquarium:  

• Elevate the mission of serving instead of sitting;
• Pastor - support the children's Sunday School from the pulpit, you can make a hero of those who minister to kids;
• Children's leaders - attend class fellowships. It is much easier to enlist someone to help you if you already know them personally;
• Adult leaders - make sure your group is inviting your associate members to class fellowships.
• Adult leaders - take pictures of adults who have left your class and serve in the children or youth departments and post them prominently in your room. Include the kids they serve in the picture.
• Take the focus off of your group's attendance. Whatever you focus upon will be perceived by your group as what is important;
• Share with your group that for many of those attending, their next step of growth is to leave the aquarium and venture out into ministry;
• Pray - pray for leaders because the opportunity to reach children with the gospel is great!

I have talked about this subject before, but we are at the beginning of a new Sunday School year. Time is critical to make the most impact upon those in these younger classes. They need us. Our Lord has empowered us. The mission has been given. How will you respond? Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about encouraging members to serve, check out these blog posts:

• What Can Sunday School Do to Help Youth and Young Adults to Stick?
• Is Your Sunday School Training Missionaries?
• It Takes More Than Sunday School and Worship to Close the Back Door
• Internally-Focused, Externally-Focused, and Missional Sunday School
• What Is Missional Sunday School?
• Revolutionary Sunday School is Missional, Part 1 and Revolutionary Sunday School is Missional, Part 2
• Turning Small Groups into Missional Communities, Part 1 and Turning Small Groups into Missional Communities, Part 2

If you are a pastor or Sunday School director, you will want to get a copy of How to Sunday School Manual by Wayne Poling. Wayne has enlisted Sunday School practitioners from around the nation to contribute articles which answer more than 100 questions about Sunday School. I had the opportunity to contribute two of the articles: one on teachers continuing to develop their skills and one about budgeting.

The Manual is a "compilation of short, to-the-point articles...that offer practical tips and advice for organizing and leading your church's Sunday School ministry. This manual

• Serves as a reference guide for the person expected to know how to administer an effective Sunday School;
• Gives you practical actions you can take for planning, leading, and evaluating your Sunday School;
• Provides all the forms and tools needed to complete the actions outlined" (back cover).

INVITE:

• How do I evaluate our "invite" attitude?
• How do I discover real prospects?

DISCOVER:

• How do I train teachers to teach more effectively?
• How do I evaluate teaching in my church?

CONNECT:

• How can we build community through the Sunday School?
• How do I build an effective Sunday School prayer system?

ADMINISTER:

• How do I lead our church in annual planning for our Sunday School?
• How can we reorganize our Sunday School without bloodshed?

The 189-page book also comes with a CD full of additional forms, help, book reading list, and resources including the five Sunday School books written by David Francis. The cost is only $14.95. How to Sunday School Manual will be a resource to which you will turn many times for help in the months and years to come. Press the book title links to learn more about the resource or to place an order for it.

Train yourself to be the best Sunday School leader possible. Give God your best. He deserves your best and so do the people God has called you to serve. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about training, check out these blog posts:

• Creative Ways to Train Sunday School Teachers
• How Often Do You Train Your Sunday School Workers?
• Can You List the Values of Sunday School Teacher/Worker Training?
• Training Sunday School Teachers for Change
• Training Teachers for a Great Sunday School Launch
• Responding to Sunday School Teachers Who Don’t Want to Train
• Trainin g Leaders through Adult Sunday School Classes
• Calendaring Sunday School Growth
• Nine Key Healthy Sunday School Issues, Part 2
• Churches Cooperating to Make Sunday School Stronger
• Could R.O.P.E.S. Improve Sunday School?
• Plan an Exciting Launch to the New Sunday School Year
• Free Training Materials for Sunday School Teachers
• Essential Basics for Sunday School Leadership by Pastors and Directors
• The Many Hats of the Sunday School Director
• Top Priorities of a New Sunday School Director
• Plan for Your Sunday School to Grow This Year, Part 2
• 5 Goals for Sunday School Growth This Year

• 8/22/2009 — Lexington at Immanuel Baptist Church
• 8/29/2009 — Elizabethtown at Severns Valley Baptist Church
• 9/12/2009 — Paducah at First Baptist Church
• 9/12/2009 — Somerset at First Baptist Church
• 9/19/2009 — Henderson at Zion Baptist Church
• 9/19/2009 — Pikeville at First Baptist Church

Strengthening Christians. Working together…overcoming challenges…pursuing the goal…is your church making connections that are vital to effectively reach and disciple people for Christ? Join us this year at Super Saturday, a one-day conference packed full with ministry training opportunities and hosted at six dates and locations across Kentucky. Super Saturdays are designed especially for Kentucky Baptist leaders and volunteers actively serving in churches across the state. See you there! Conference descriptions are listed below. Participants will select one 2-hour Leadership Conference to receive in-depth training in their primary area of responsibility. Participants will also choose two afternoon conferences based on their interests and needs.

Schedule
8:00 am Registration Begins
9:00 am Opening Session
9:45 am Leadership Conferences
12:00 pm Lunch (provided)
12:45 pm Ministry Area Interest Conferences
2:00 pm Ministry Area Interest Conferences
3:00 pm Dismiss

Even with a great start, the middle and closing moments of the second encounter can be full of activity that leads nowhere. In fact, these moments can be flat, lifeless, and counterproductive. They can be busy but accomplish nothing. What does it look like when the middle and closing moments of the second encounter are neglected? Consider the following:

• without proper planning, the middle and end of the lesson stall out;
• the teacher loses steam and direction in his/her leadership of the lesson;
• the teacher hasn’t met God and doesn’t know the material and talks less resulting in the class talking more—both without purpose;
• the teacher hasn’t met God and doesn’t know the material and talks more resulting in lack of involvement by the class and ownership of the experience;
• there is a lack of awareness of the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit;
• “my ideas” rather than God’s truth becomes the focus;
• no effort is made to lead learners to open God’s Word or meet Him themselves;
• the lesson makes no sense;
• fun and work are not balanced and the experience becomes drudgery or unproductive;
• the end of the lesson is rushed and incomplete;
• no time is given for thinking, reflection, or silence in response to the lesson or truth;
• the experience is a string of activities which are unconnected and fruitless;
• examination of God’s Word takes place without any application to life or any invitation to respond;
• no assignments are made;
• no attempt is made to maintain attention of learners;
• the lesson is boring because it doesn’t relate to learners;
• disciples are not further along in being developed;
• relationships are not strengthened;
• guests are not involved; and
• the Lord is not honored.

Wow, that is some list! Unfortunately it could be longer. An excellent life-impacting second encounter begins with an investment in the first encounter and good lesson planning. And the early moments prepare for, create interest in, and launch the second encounter. Then, a teacher working toward a revolutionary second encounter keeps moving purposefully toward leading learners to know and do the truth. Neglect is common here because finishing the second encounter well is hard work. But lives and the world depend on the outcome.

For previous entries in this series, check out these blog posts:

• Sunday School’s Neglect of the Second Encounter, Part 10A
• Sunday School’s Neglect of the First Encounter, Part 9B
• Sunday School’s Neglect of the First Encounter, Part 9A
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Care for One Another, Part 8
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Care for the Lost, Part 7
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Planning, Part 6
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Organizing for Care and Growth, Part 5
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Leadership, Part 4
• Sunday School’s Neglect of WHY and FOR WHOM, Part 3
• Sunday School’s Neglect of Abiding in Him, Part 2
• The Accumulation of Sunday School Neglect, Part 1

My son, Jonathan, knows that I am a science fiction fan. I enjoy books and shows that are futuristic and involve space travel. One of my favorites over the years has been Star Trek. With that in mind, Jonathan and his wife Sam bought me for Father's Day and my birthday a Franklin Mint set of Star Trek Tridimensional Chess Set. They found it at a flea market for a much better price than new.

I have written previously about how I enjoy playing chess. Tridimensional chess is different and yet the same. There are three major levels for the chess pieces to occupy. They are arranged slightly differently due the board, but the pieces all move the same as in chess. I have not gotten out the directions to read thoroughly yet--only to know how to arrange the pieces and which color went on the top level (gold) and which on the bottom (silver). In order to really understand it, what I need is someone to train me...

Which leads me to the fact that many new Sunday School teachers and workers are about to launch into new territory. They are about to start a new responsibility. And many of them have received no training. It is not too late to give them a book or article or send them to a website or blog. It is not too late to sit down with these new leaders to offer a private training/coaching/apprenticing process. And it is not too late to provide some training before or at least early into their new service.

In what areas do new teachers need training? Consider some of the following:

• daily quiet time/personal spiritual development,
• preparation tips,
• learning styles/teaching methods,
• fellowship ideas,
• value of and ideas for outreach,
• transformation/application/life-change,
• class organization,
• ministry/service projects,
• first impressions/class greeters,
• assimilation/care groups,
• safety/security,
• learning environment/classroom arrangement,
• apprenticing/starting new classes,
• and so much more.

It is always better when new leaders are launched following a year of apprenticing. But whether a leader has been apprenticed or not, training provided near the beginning of service can have great benefit. Encourage your teachers. Provide training. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about teacher training, check out these blog posts:

• Calendaring Sunday School Growth
• Revolutionary Sunday School and Kingdom Purposes
• How Often Do You Train Your Sunday School Workers?
• Time Management for Sunday School Leaders, Part 2
• Should a Church Have High Expectations for Sunday School Classes?
• Essentials of an Effective Weekly Sunday School Workers Meeting
• Five Actions to Make Sunday School More Valuable, Part 1
• Sunday School Class FISH Team Training
• Avoid Enl isting ’Warm-Bodies’ as Sunday School Teachers!
• Creative Ways to Train Sunday School Teachers
• Sunday School’s Contributions to Disciple Making
• Free Training Materials for Sunday School Teachers

Sunday School should be a place where people grow strong and are ready to launch out to conquer the world. Part 9A and Part 9B were clear in sounding the bell for making a revolutionary investment in the first encounter. Sunday School in many churches has suffered for too long due to poor or no investment in the first encounter and preparation for the second encounter.

This post shifts the focus to what happens next. The focus is on the moments prior to beginning and the early moments of the second encounter—the Bible study session. It is worth noting that some teachers who invest well in the first encounter end up neglecting the second encounter. This happens for many reasons: lack of training, lack of understanding, poor execution, situations beyond their control, and many more. As a result, this post will not focus on intention but result. The focus will be on the reality of what happens—whether the second encounter is able to take place or not.

In Sunday School where the second encounter is neglected, much time is wasted rather than wisely invested. In too many Sunday Schools, teachers arrive late. They gather supplies during precious minutes of Bible study time. Members arrive late. The room is not ready. Greeters are not in place. No one takes charge of class business to help the Bible study session to begin. There is no official start time from one Sunday to the next. In other words, class starts late every week. Nothing is done to help attenders begin thinking about the passage, topic, or truth for the day. And often too much time has been spent on other activities (fellowship, announcements, prayer, and more) until there is little time remaining for Bible study.

And even after the Bible study session has begun, too many lessons begin poorly. When there is prayer before the lesson, it seldom has to do with wanting to join God in an encounter in His Word. In fact, the prayer—whether prayed by the teacher or by a class member—seldom has to do with the lesson at all. Where else will attenders’ encounter a passion for seeking Him?

On top of that, too often the teacher admits he/she did not have enough time this week to study. Such statements should never be spoken. The lesson that results will speak for itself. When the second encounter is neglected, the teacher usually moves right into scripture reading. Or the class takes turn reading verses or sections. Or the class begins to read the pupil quarterly to each other. There is no attempt to follow up on last week’s lesson or the application of its truth. There is no time given to preview this week’s lesson or highlight its importance.

At this point, attenders’ minds are still on fellowship or personal concerns. And yet nothing is done to capture the learners’ attention. No attempt is made to get minds turned toward God or the subject, topic, or truth of the day. No questions are asked. No related stories are told. No newspaper articles are read. No summary of the passage and its importance is shared. Nothing, including an icebreaker, is used to get attenders involved and talking early. One voice tends to dominate those early moments—that of the teacher.

And all too often, the Bible is absent. Sometimes even the teacher fails to bring his/hers. Without the example of the teacher and any expectation, fewer and fewer attenders bring theirs. And if they do bring their Bibles, they often fail to open them. When the second encounter is neglected like this, is it any wonder that Christians are biblically illiterate, lives are not changed, members don’t stay, and new people are not reached?

For more ideas about teaching, check out these blog posts:

• Do We Re ally Want Our Sunday School Teaching to Bear Fruit?
• Benchmarks for Excellence in Sunday School Teaching, Part 1, Benchmarks for Excellence in Sunday School Teaching, Part 2, and Benchmarks for Excellence in Sunday School Teaching, Part 3
• Why Is There No Variety of Teaching Methods in Sunday School?
• Sunday School Only for an Audience of One
• Characteristics of a Good Sunday School Teacher, Part 2
• Pray, Plan, and Prepare to Teach Sunday School for Lives to Change, Part 2
• Wisely Choosing Sunday School Teaching Methods, Part 1 and Wisely Choosing Sunday School Teaching Methods, Part 2
• How to Teach Them to Obey: By Example
• Novel Idea: Teach Them to Use the Bible in Sunday School
• Improve Yourself, Improve Your Teaching
• What Can Sunday School Do to Impact Life Change?
• Key Actions for Sunday School Class Growth, Part 4
• Four Ingredients of an Interesting Sunday School Class, Part 2
• Building Blocks for a Strong Sunday School Class, Part 3
• Benefits of Teaching Sunday School
• Balanced Diet of Sunday School/Small Group Teaching Methods, Part 2
• Learning Styles in Adult Sunday School

Many lessons fail because the teacher's personal encounter with God is missed. God has big plans for this lesson to change lives. But the teacher misses the meeting. As a result, the truth of God’s Word does not impact the teacher as needed, and the lesson has little life or power. Life-change was the plan but “warm fuzzies” are the result.

Hundreds of books have been written on the subject area of this chapter and the next two. Most have focused upon the need for, benefits of, and methods for personal Bible study and lesson preparation. What, then, is the first encounter? The first encounter is the time the teacher has set aside to meet God in Bible study. It is the teacher’s personal experience of encountering God and being changed as a result of the experience. While it can and should happen in the course of lesson preparation, it is more important than the Sunday School lesson. For the teacher, time with God is the lesson. The first encounter is the time God uses to prepare a teacher to be able to guide others through the landscape of His Word and the truth contained therein that learners need to hear and obey.

How, then, does neglect of the first encounter happen? Far too many churches have teachers who are filling a position rather than responding to a call from God. They were drafted (or pressured) in the halls of the church without allowing due time for consideration and prayer. No one explained the requirements or importance of the responsibility. No one shared a job description or talked about expectations. No training was provided. Many of these teachers have little understanding about how to prepare or even why it is important to meet God in Bible study. Some have never even been taught how to study God’s Word for themselves. In these cases, is it any wonder that the first encounter has been neglected? While these teachers are not to blame for how they were enlisted, they are responsible for connecting with God prior to teaching. And when they fail to do so, they share the blame along with those who enlisted them. Furthermore, they can be in the way of individuals God desires to fill the role.

For many other teachers neglect is not intentional. They have responded to God’s call to teach. They love spending time in God’s Word. They enjoy the people they teach. They begin well. They spend hours preparing. People are touched. Lives are changed. Then, something happens (1) suddenly as a result of life circumstances or (2) slowly over a long period of time.

Some circumstances with potential for sudden impact include the following:

• illness making preparation difficult;
• illness of a family member requiring lots of care;
• working long hours resulting in tiredness and little time to prepare;
• insomnia causing tiredness and difficulty in focusing;
• shift change or starting a second job causing tiredness and difficulty in scheduling preparation;
• loss of a job causing a job search, move, and/or loss of self esteem;
• childbirth and all of the inherent interruptions;
• loss of a loved one with the impact of loss and grief:
• starting college and adjusting to the demands;
• fire or other disaster resulting in the loss of personal and study items and the time required to put life back together;
• and so many more.

These circumstances do not necessarily have to impact the first encounter, but commitment to teaching effectiveness can waver through their impact. Time can become difficult to prioritize. Drain on energy can make thinking and wise choices more difficult. In these moments, some teachers choose to bail. They feel they cannot continue to teach under these circumstances. Some refuse to teach unless they can give it their best effort. Others want to quit but feel pressured to stay—due to teacher shortage or friendships—despite feeling bad about the results.

In Part 9B, we will look at the issue of slow deterioration and neglect of the first encounter. While both sudden and slow neglect have impact, slow deterioration is probably the most dangerous. Examine your lesson preparation and time with God. How can you respond appropriately in the face of life's dramatic circumstances? Plan to draw near to Him. Plan to encounter Him in Bible study. Be revolutionary!

For more ideas about lesson preparation, check out these blog posts:

• What Is Your Preferred Routine for Sunday School Lesson Preparation?
• Preparation for an Adult Sunday School Class with Impact
• Preparing for a Sunday School Lesson with DEPTH, Part 1 and Preparing for a Sunday School Lesson with DEPTH, Part 2
• 7 Basic Bible Study Steps for Sunday School/Small Groups, Part 1, 7 Basic Bible Study Steps for Sunday School/Small Groups, Part 2, and 7 Basic Bible Study Steps for Sunday School/Small Groups, Part 3
• Sunday School’s Contributions to Disciple Making
• What Can Sunday School Do to Impact Life Change?
• Balanced Triangular Sides of Life-Changing Sunday School Lessons
• Sunday School Teacher Tips, Part 2
• Four Ways to Trim Your Sunday School Lesson
• Writing Your Own Sunday School Lesson
• Do We Really Want Our Sunday School Teaching to Bear Fruit?
• Pray for God to Use Sunday School
• Advice for the New Sunday School Teacher
• Focus Your Sunday School Lesson Preparation to Make the Most Difference!
• Sunday School Lesson Preparation

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