Pop Quiz: Where do newcomers and mature Christians meet for discipleship, friendship and outreach? In Sunday school or small groups! Need a few fresh ideas to keep your class growing?
Diana DavisAm I late? Early arrivers create excitement. Leaders arrive early to crank up the coffee pot, start a music CD and joyfully welcome attenders. A simple “freshen-up.” Rearrange the classroom slightly each month. Add a podium, table or stool for the teacher. Set a semi-circle instead of rows or change direction of chairs.
An empty chair. If all chairs are occupied when a guest arrives, he feels unexpected and unwelcome. A vibrant class is not a closed “club”; it reaches new people for Christ. Add chairs, and welcome newcomers warmly.
“Hi, Brittany.” Make permanent name tags readable from six feet away. Provide disposable name tags for guests and promise a “real” name tag next week.
New contact list. Prepare a members/guests list with e-mail or phone numbers. Ask first-time guests if you can add them to the list, then update it before next Sunday. Print an asterisk by guests’ names, and make a goal to remove the asterisk.
Add paint. God’s house should look nicer than yours. Paint, viciously de-clutter, update d?cor and Christian art, and make needed repairs to the classroom. Display fellowship photos and a visual to honor members who teach other classes. Then gladly change classrooms as your church grows.
Secret ingredient. A great Bible study class must have (surprise!) quality Bible study. Do you spend more time discussing ailments and town trivia than studying God’s word? A growing class’s priority is life-changing Bible study.
Fellowship or flounder. Enhance relationships by planning a memorable annual gathering and a monthly or quarterly fellowship. Meet often for Sunday lunch.
Stagnate or multiply. Make a class goal to multiply annually. That means your class will intentionally reach new people and birth a new class. Find an intern teacher, set numeric goals and schedule the multiplication date. Attempt to proportion classes evenly, and celebrate with a multiplication party!
There’s a lost world outside your classroom door, just waiting to get in. Open the door.
“They welcomed the message with eagerness and examined the scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Consequently, many of them believed -” (Acts 17:11b-12a).
Davis’s new book, “Fresh Ideas ? 1000 Ways to Grow a Thriving and Energetic Church,” is available at Christian bookstores, lifeway.com and amazon.com, and dianadavis.org.