basics for sunday school directors altamaha / new sunbury baptist association

BASICS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTORS Altamaha / New Sunbury

Baptist Association

Compiled By Jim ElliottCompiled By Jim ElliottAssociational MissionaryAssociational Missionary

You Want to Live a Safe Life?You Want to Live a Safe Life?

Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents.for 20% of all fatal accidents.

Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home.home.

Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians. accidents occur to pedestrians.

Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents involve these forms of transportation.accidents involve these forms of transportation.

You will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths You will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur in church. occur in church.

Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is at church! any given point in time is at church!

Across this nation about Across this nation about 85%85% of our of our churches are plateaued or in decline.churches are plateaued or in decline.

Of the remaining 15%, about 14% are Of the remaining 15%, about 14% are growing through transfer growth. growing through transfer growth.

Only Only 1%1% of churches in America are of churches in America are growing by conversion growth.growing by conversion growth.

BASICS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTORS


America’s Churches Are In DeclineAmerica’s Churches Are In DeclineThere is a Tremendous Need for There is a Tremendous Need for

ImprovementImprovement



1- 1- Know the 10 Bottom Line Numbers [slide 6]Know the 10 Bottom Line Numbers [slide 6]

2-2- Establish, Develop, Maintain and Guide use of Sunday School Establish, Develop, Maintain and Guide use of Sunday School Prospect FilesProspect Files

3-3- Create and Guide the Sunday School Leadership Team (faculty)Create and Guide the Sunday School Leadership Team (faculty)

4-4- Visit in Homes of your Sunday School LeadersVisit in Homes of your Sunday School Leaders

5-5- Establish a Prayer Ministry with Sunday School Leaders (lists)Establish a Prayer Ministry with Sunday School Leaders (lists)

10 10 “Must Do”“Must Do” Duties Duties 10 10 “Must Do”“Must Do” Duties Duties



6- 6- Establish New Units and Restructure your Sunday School at least Establish New Units and Restructure your Sunday School at least every 2 yearsevery 2 years

7-7- Set Annual Goals for the Sunday School Set Annual Goals for the Sunday School

8-8- Conduct Annual Planning Retreats for your TeamConduct Annual Planning Retreats for your Team

9-9- Provide for Training of your Sunday School Leaders Provide for Training of your Sunday School Leaders (and keep records)(and keep records)

10-10- Give Recognition to your Sunday School Leaders (formally and Give Recognition to your Sunday School Leaders (formally and

informally)informally)

10 10 “Must Do”“Must Do” Duties Duties 10 10 “Must Do”“Must Do” Duties Duties

1- 1- Sunday School EnrollmentSunday School Enrollment

2- 2- Sunday School Average AttendanceSunday School Average Attendance

3-3- Enrollment / Attendance SpreadEnrollment / Attendance Spread

4-4- Number of ProspectsNumber of Prospects

5- 5- Possibilities (enrollment + prospects)Possibilities (enrollment + prospects)

6-6- New Enrollment Required to GainNew Enrollment Required to Gain

7- 7- 3 Sundays and You’re Out ?3 Sundays and You’re Out ?

8-8- Sunday School Attendance to Baptism RatioSunday School Attendance to Baptism Ratio

9- 9- New UnitsNew Units

10-10- Unsaved Enrollment to Baptism RatioUnsaved Enrollment to Baptism Ratio

10 10 “Bottom Line”“Bottom Line” Numbers Numbers



He did not give us a “magic formula,” but he did He did not give us a “magic formula,” but he did give us give us 5 timeless principles5 timeless principles for Sunday for Sunday School growth that are still relevant today.School growth that are still relevant today.

Flakes formula does not work, you have to work Flakes formula does not work, you have to work the formula.the formula.

Remember, all great ideas eventually erode into Remember, all great ideas eventually erode into hard work, Flake’shard work, Flake’s formula is no exception.formula is no exception.

Flake’s FormulaFlake’s FormulaFlake’s FormulaFlake’s Formula



Flake’s FormulaFlake’s Formula

Keep definite records of enrollment. Keep definite records of enrollment.

Continue to find prospects. Continue to find prospects.

Know the difference between a prospect and a suspect.Know the difference between a prospect and a suspect.

Keep an accurate visitation file of these prospects for Keep an accurate visitation file of these prospects for each age group. each age group.

Continue to cultivate new ways to discover prospects.Continue to cultivate new ways to discover prospects.

1- “Know the Possibilities”1- “Know the Possibilities”



Sunday Schools must continue to create new classes Sunday Schools must continue to create new classes and departments (units) if they are to grow.and departments (units) if they are to grow.

New units typically grow faster because they are New units typically grow faster because they are smaller and want to grow.smaller and want to grow.

New units are usually more focused on outreach and New units are usually more focused on outreach and evangelism, and have higher rates of baptisms.evangelism, and have higher rates of baptisms.

New units are better at assimilating new members than New units are better at assimilating new members than established classes.established classes.

New units open more doors for ministry opportunities New units open more doors for ministry opportunities to individuals and their families. to individuals and their families.

2- “Enlarge the Organization” 2- “Enlarge the Organization”




BASICS FOR SUNDAYSCHOOL DIRECTORS

• 3. Enlist and Train Workers • Enlisting workers properly and enlisting proper

workers is a critical element in growing a church through the Sunday School

• Provide each potential teacher with a job description of the expectations of them

• Train them through specific training events and consistent teachers & workers meetings

• Always maintain a proper teacher – pupil ratio in fairness to both teacher and pupil


4- Provide the Space & Facilities4- Provide the Space & Facilities You can only put so many people in one room. You can only put so many people in one room.

When the room is full growth stops. When the room is full growth stops.

The proper facilities and adequate space must be The proper facilities and adequate space must be provided in order to grow. provided in order to grow.

Like all of Flake’s formula, growth will not Like all of Flake’s formula, growth will not automatically happen when you provide great automatically happen when you provide great facilities, all the principles of Flake’s formula must facilities, all the principles of Flake’s formula must be followed to sustain long term, healthy Sunday be followed to sustain long term, healthy Sunday School growth. School growth.

BASICS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTORSBASICS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTORS


Visitation of prospects and constantly contacting Visitation of prospects and constantly contacting absentees and members for ministry, witnessing, and absentees and members for ministry, witnessing, and spiritual nurture is spiritual nurture is critical to growthcritical to growth ..

Follow-up is the key to reaching people in this busy Follow-up is the key to reaching people in this busy culture we live in.culture we live in.

““Open enrollment” means there are no qualifications for Open enrollment” means there are no qualifications for membership in a Sunday School class, they don’t even membership in a Sunday School class, they don’t even have to attend before they can be enrolledhave to attend before they can be enrolled..

5- Go After the People5- Go After the People




BASICS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTORSBASICS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL DIRECTORS

Barnett’s Barnett’s Principles of Principles of EnlargementEnlargement

Barnett’s Barnett’s Principles of Principles of EnlargementEnlargement

BASICS FOR SUNDAYSCHOOL DIRECTORS

• 1. “1. “The Principle of LeadershipThe Principle of Leadership””Reaching prospects depends upon an adequate ratio of Reaching prospects depends upon an adequate ratio of

workers workers to enrollment & upon the degree of commitment to enrollment & upon the degree of commitment these workers these workers show toward their tasks.show toward their tasks.

• 2. “2. “The Principle of DelegationThe Principle of Delegation””Reaching prospects depends upon the effective delegation ofReaching prospects depends upon the effective delegation ofresponsibility to Sunday School Workersresponsibility to Sunday School Workers

• 3. “3. “The Principle of GroupingThe Principle of Grouping””

Reaching persons depends on using a grading & grouping Reaching persons depends on using a grading & grouping plan plan that respects the individual’s developmental stage and that respects the individual’s developmental stage and provides provides for annual promotion in all groups.for annual promotion in all groups.

• 4. “4. “The Principle of Involvement of LearnersThe Principle of Involvement of Learners””

Reaching prospects depends upon the degree and quality of Reaching prospects depends upon the degree and quality of involvement which teacher and class members achieve in involvement which teacher and class members achieve in

their their Bible Study. Bible Study.


5. 5. ““The Principle of OrganizationThe Principle of Organization””

Reaching prospects depends upon the creation of new Reaching prospects depends upon the creation of new units designed to meet the growth potential at hand.units designed to meet the growth potential at hand.

6.6. ““The Principle of Space and FacilitiesThe Principle of Space and Facilities””

Reaching prospects depends upon the expansion of Reaching prospects depends upon the expansion of space space and other facilities as growth potential suggests the and other facilities as growth potential suggests the need.need.

7. 7. ““The Principle of RelationshipThe Principle of Relationship””Reaching prospects depends upon balanced, consistent, Reaching prospects depends upon balanced, consistent,

prayerful action in accordance with all the principles of growth.prayerful action in accordance with all the principles of growth.

Ten Characteristics of theTen Characteristics of the

Purpose-Purpose-Driven Sunday Driven Sunday

SchoolSchool

Ten Characteristics of theTen Characteristics of the

Purpose-Purpose-Driven Sunday Driven Sunday

SchoolSchool



1.1. The intent and focus of Bible Study is to bring about life change The intent and focus of Bible Study is to bring about life change through an encounter with God’s Word and to help members through an encounter with God’s Word and to help members understand and live out their mission.understand and live out their mission.

2. 2. Every Bible study presents an evangelistic focus in content or Every Bible study presents an evangelistic focus in content or application.application.

3.3. Unit leaders and members regularly contribute to the evangelistic Unit leaders and members regularly contribute to the evangelistic prospect list, select visitation teams and participate in weekly prospect list, select visitation teams and participate in weekly visitation.visitation.

4.4. Age appropriate curriculum is chosen to accomplish the mission of Age appropriate curriculum is chosen to accomplish the mission of the church by a team of staff and laity following a developmental the church by a team of staff and laity following a developmental process designed for personal and corporate growth.process designed for personal and corporate growth.

5.5. Teachers are certified through a formal apprentice program, being Teachers are certified through a formal apprentice program, being mentored by an experienced teacher (s) combined with an mentored by an experienced teacher (s) combined with an appropriate personal study program.appropriate personal study program.

Purpose-DrivenPurpose-Driven Purpose-DrivenPurpose-Driven



6.6. Leaders & members are led to maintain a dated prayer list of Leaders & members are led to maintain a dated prayer list of persons & needs, recording prayer results & sharing answered persons & needs, recording prayer results & sharing answered prayers as appropriate.prayers as appropriate.

7.7. Fellowships are planned and conducted at least monthly for the Fellowships are planned and conducted at least monthly for the purpose of developing friendships, involving members, guests & purpose of developing friendships, involving members, guests & in-service members as appropriate.in-service members as appropriate.

8.8. Class enrollment is maintained at a number that facilitates growth, Class enrollment is maintained at a number that facilitates growth, with apprentice leaders assigned to each unit ready to begin the with apprentice leaders assigned to each unit ready to begin the next group as soon as the enrollment reaches the birthing level.next group as soon as the enrollment reaches the birthing level.

9.9. Units are structured with a ministry/care team that maintains a Units are structured with a ministry/care team that maintains a weekly contact with members & has an action plan for meeting weekly contact with members & has an action plan for meeting immediate & long term members’ needs.immediate & long term members’ needs.

10.10. Each teaching unit plans and conducts appropriate service Each teaching unit plans and conducts appropriate service projects designed to penetrate and impact the community for projects designed to penetrate and impact the community for Christ, providing for the involvement of all members.Christ, providing for the involvement of all members.



Purpose-DrivenPurpose-Driven Purpose-DrivenPurpose-Driven

An Overview of the An Overview of the Ten Best Ten Best

Practices of Practices of Sunday SchoolSunday School

The best practices of Sunday School as strategy are presented The best practices of Sunday School as strategy are presented here as 10 brief, concrete, imperative statements.here as 10 brief, concrete, imperative statements.

They are not a mechanical formula for success, but describe the They are not a mechanical formula for success, but describe the process of designing an effective Sunday School strategy.process of designing an effective Sunday School strategy.



We will commit to Sunday School as the foundational strategy in a We will commit to Sunday School as the foundational strategy in a local church for doing the work of the Great Commission by — local church for doing the work of the Great Commission by —

Developing an annual plan that supports the church’s thrust to lead people to Developing an annual plan that supports the church’s thrust to lead people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and build on-mission Christians. faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and build on-mission Christians.

Including as key elements of the plan ongoing & short-term open Bible study Including as key elements of the plan ongoing & short-term open Bible study groups & additional Bible study events, such as Vacation Bible School, that groups & additional Bible study events, such as Vacation Bible School, that focus on foundational evangelism & foundational discipleship. focus on foundational evangelism & foundational discipleship.

Providing the best-possible financial support to implement the strategic plans. Providing the best-possible financial support to implement the strategic plans.

Implementing the plan through specific monthly and weekly actions. Implementing the plan through specific monthly and weekly actions.

1- Commit to the 1- Commit to the

StrategyStrategy 1- Commit to the 1- Commit to the

StrategyStrategy

Ten Best PracticesTen Best PracticesTen Best PracticesTen Best Practices



2. Organize with Purpose2. Organize with Purpose 2. Organize with Purpose2. Organize with Purpose We will organize our Sunday School ministry to accomplish the We will organize our Sunday School ministry to accomplish the objectives of leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and objectives of leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and building on-mission Christians by —building on-mission Christians by —

using the concept of age-graded, open Bible study groups as the using the concept of age-graded, open Bible study groups as the primary organizing principle for Bible study groups.primary organizing principle for Bible study groups.

providing groups for all ages and generations, including preschool, providing groups for all ages and generations, including preschool, children, youth, young adults, and adults. children, youth, young adults, and adults.

relying on sound learner: leader ratios proven to be effective for each relying on sound learner: leader ratios proven to be effective for each age group in developing the age-group organizational structures.age group in developing the age-group organizational structures.




3. Build Kingdom Leaders3. Build Kingdom Leaders 3. Build Kingdom Leaders3. Build Kingdom Leaders We will build kingdom leaders who are committed to Sunday We will build kingdom leaders who are committed to Sunday School strategy as an expression of faithfulness to Christ, His School strategy as an expression of faithfulness to Christ, His church, and the mission mandate He has given by — church, and the mission mandate He has given by —

Praying for God to call out leaders for kingdom service through Praying for God to call out leaders for kingdom service through Sunday School ministry. Sunday School ministry.

Implementing a leader-enlistment approach that focuses on helping Implementing a leader-enlistment approach that focuses on helping people respond to their personal call from God rather than an people respond to their personal call from God rather than an approach that is primarily concerned with filling church or approach that is primarily concerned with filling church or organizational positions. organizational positions.

Enlisting leaders who themselves are committed to cultivating and Enlisting leaders who themselves are committed to cultivating and multiplying new leaders. multiplying new leaders.




3. Build Kingdom 3. Build Kingdom

LeadersLeaders 3. Build Kingdom 3. Build Kingdom

LeadersLeaders We will build kingdom leaders who are committed to Sunday We will build kingdom leaders who are committed to Sunday School strategy as an expression of faithfulness to Christ, His School strategy as an expression of faithfulness to Christ, His church, and the mission mandate He has given by — church, and the mission mandate He has given by —

Devoting major attention to leadership meetings that focus on the Devoting major attention to leadership meetings that focus on the mission, on relationships, and on Bible study. mission, on relationships, and on Bible study.

Providing training that equips leaders for their work and enhances Providing training that equips leaders for their work and enhances the quality of their leadership. the quality of their leadership.

Calling out people who will give their lives to evangelizing the lost Calling out people who will give their lives to evangelizing the lost and who are willing to participate in ongoing evangelism training and and who are willing to participate in ongoing evangelism training and multiplication of evangelism leaders. multiplication of evangelism leaders.

Continued…Continued…




4. Develop Soul 4. Develop Soul WinnersWinners

We will lead leaders and members to become soul-winners and We will lead leaders and members to become soul-winners and witnesses for Christ in all life settings, including the home, by-witnesses for Christ in all life settings, including the home, by-

Teaching members to view being a practicing soul-winner as the role of every Teaching members to view being a practicing soul-winner as the role of every believer.believer.

Challenging members continually to be aware of the spiritually lost people Challenging members continually to be aware of the spiritually lost people they encounter daily.they encounter daily.

Focusing attention on the responsibility of Sunday School leaders and Focusing attention on the responsibility of Sunday School leaders and members to lead people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.members to lead people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Training leaders and members how to share the gospel through an Training leaders and members how to share the gospel through an intentional, ongoing strategy. intentional, ongoing strategy.

Providing regular opportunities for leaders and members to share the gospel Providing regular opportunities for leaders and members to share the gospel as part of personal home visits.as part of personal home visits.




5. Win the Lost5. Win the Lost 5. Win the Lost5. Win the Lost We will engage in evangelistic actions that result in winning the We will engage in evangelistic actions that result in winning the lost to Christ, as well as in other actions that target the un-lost to Christ, as well as in other actions that target the un-churched and reclaim the spiritually indifferent, by —churched and reclaim the spiritually indifferent, by —

Involving members in discovering individual and family prospects.Involving members in discovering individual and family prospects.

Maintaining up-to-date master and working prospect files and Maintaining up-to-date master and working prospect files and implementing an ongoing approach for making evangelistic prospect implementing an ongoing approach for making evangelistic prospect visitation assignments to members. visitation assignments to members.

Providing regular, specific times for evangelistic, outreach, & ministry Providing regular, specific times for evangelistic, outreach, & ministry visitation. visitation.




5. Win the Lost5. Win the Lost 5. Win the Lost5. Win the Lost We will engage in evangelistic actions that result in winning the We will engage in evangelistic actions that result in winning the lost to Christ, as well as in other actions that target the un-lost to Christ, as well as in other actions that target the un-churched and reclaim the spiritually indifferent, by — churched and reclaim the spiritually indifferent, by —

Committing ourselves to witness for Christ in all life settings, Committing ourselves to witness for Christ in all life settings, including the home.including the home.

Teaching evangelistically, including foundational teaching, especially Teaching evangelistically, including foundational teaching, especially with preschoolers and children, that becomes the basis for a later with preschoolers and children, that becomes the basis for a later conversion as the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin.conversion as the Holy Spirit brings conviction of sin.

Challenging un-churched or spiritually indifferent individuals and Challenging un-churched or spiritually indifferent individuals and families to commit to living as followers of Jesus Christ.families to commit to living as followers of Jesus Christ.





6. Assimilate People6. Assimilate People6. Assimilate People6. Assimilate PeopleWe will assimilate individuals and families into the life of the church We will assimilate individuals and families into the life of the church and facilitate their growth as disciples of Christand facilitate their growth as disciples of Christ by — by —

Encouraging new believers to identify with Christ and His church through Encouraging new believers to identify with Christ and His church through baptism and church membership. baptism and church membership.

Emphasizing regular participation in systematic Bible study as the Emphasizing regular participation in systematic Bible study as the foundational step of discipleship. foundational step of discipleship.

Enrolling people anytime, anywhere in ongoing Bible study and other short-Enrolling people anytime, anywhere in ongoing Bible study and other short-term Bible study groups. term Bible study groups.

Providing an atmosphere for building relationships with one another in an Providing an atmosphere for building relationships with one another in an environment of grace, acceptance, support, and encouragement. environment of grace, acceptance, support, and encouragement.

Encouraging all believers to strengthen their walk with Christ by Encouraging all believers to strengthen their walk with Christ by participating in other discipleship opportunities. participating in other discipleship opportunities.




6. Assimilate People6. Assimilate People6. Assimilate People6. Assimilate PeopleWe will assimilate individuals and families into the life of the We will assimilate individuals and families into the life of the church and facilitate their growth as disciples of Christ by — church and facilitate their growth as disciples of Christ by —

Developing a system for tracking individual and family participation in Developing a system for tracking individual and family participation in ongoing Bible study and in discipleship groups. ongoing Bible study and in discipleship groups.

Developing a system for tracking actions that serve as indicators of spiritual Developing a system for tracking actions that serve as indicators of spiritual growth and personal spiritual vitality. growth and personal spiritual vitality.

Providing opportunities for new Christians and church members, and their Providing opportunities for new Christians and church members, and their families, to discover how they fit into the life and ministry of the church. families, to discover how they fit into the life and ministry of the church.

Planning opportunities for individuals and families to pray together and to Planning opportunities for individuals and families to pray together and to work together toward fulfilling the Great Commission. work together toward fulfilling the Great Commission.

Promoting systematic, biblical giving and the stewardship of life as the norm Promoting systematic, biblical giving and the stewardship of life as the norm for believers. for believers.





7. Partner with 7. Partner with

FamiliesFamilies 7. Partner with 7. Partner with

FamiliesFamilies We will partner with parents and families to build the home as We will partner with parents and families to build the home as the center of biblical guidance by — the center of biblical guidance by —

Providing an appropriate open Bible study group for every member Providing an appropriate open Bible study group for every member of the family, including family members with special needs. of the family, including family members with special needs.

Providing training and resources to help parents fulfill their Providing training and resources to help parents fulfill their responsibility as the primary Bible teachers and disciplers of their responsibility as the primary Bible teachers and disciplers of their children. children.

Developing family-oriented evangelistic and ministry strategies that Developing family-oriented evangelistic and ministry strategies that help families to reach other families for Christ and the church and help families to reach other families for Christ and the church and minister to their needs. minister to their needs.




7. Partner with 7. Partner with

FamiliesFamilies 7. Partner with 7. Partner with

FamiliesFamilies We will partner with parents and families to build the We will partner with parents and families to build the home as the center of biblical guidance by — home as the center of biblical guidance by —

Building a leadership team that believes in and models the essential Building a leadership team that believes in and models the essential partnership of home and church in Bible teaching. partnership of home and church in Bible teaching.

Providing Bible study and devotional materials that encourage and Providing Bible study and devotional materials that encourage and support family worship and Bible study in the home. support family worship and Bible study in the home.

Exploring the possibilities for intergenerational ministries that Exploring the possibilities for intergenerational ministries that enable the different generations to interact with each other rather enable the different generations to interact with each other rather than being isolated from one another. than being isolated from one another.




8. Teach to Transform8. Teach to Transform 8. Teach to Transform8. Teach to Transform We will engage individuals and families in the biblical model of We will engage individuals and families in the biblical model of instruction that leads to spiritual transformation by — instruction that leads to spiritual transformation by —

Preparing faithfully for the open-group Bible teaching session, including Preparing faithfully for the open-group Bible teaching session, including personal spiritual preparation and participation in leadership meetings. personal spiritual preparation and participation in leadership meetings.

Encountering God’s Word in a Bible study group guiding learners toward Encountering God’s Word in a Bible study group guiding learners toward spiritual transformation. spiritual transformation.

Continuing to guide learners toward spiritual transformation in daily living and Continuing to guide learners toward spiritual transformation in daily living and family relationships. family relationships.

Centering the transformational teaching learning process around these Bible Centering the transformational teaching learning process around these Bible teaching elements: acknowledge authority, search the Scripture, discover the teaching elements: acknowledge authority, search the Scripture, discover the truth, personalize the truth, struggle with the truth, believe the truth, and obey truth, personalize the truth, struggle with the truth, believe the truth, and obey the truth. the truth.

Preparing open-group lesson plans to teach in a variety of ways (relational, Preparing open-group lesson plans to teach in a variety of ways (relational, musical, logical, physical, reflective, visual, verbal approaches).musical, logical, physical, reflective, visual, verbal approaches).




We will engage individuals and families in the biblical model of We will engage individuals and families in the biblical model of instruction that leads to spiritual transformation by — instruction that leads to spiritual transformation by —

Looking for opportunities in other settings to both teach and model the Looking for opportunities in other settings to both teach and model the message of the Bible. message of the Bible.

Equipping parents to be the primary Bible teachers in their homes. Equipping parents to be the primary Bible teachers in their homes.

Choosing open-group Bible study curriculum materials that lead learners to Choosing open-group Bible study curriculum materials that lead learners to explore the entire counsel of God during their life stages. explore the entire counsel of God during their life stages.

Providing the best-possible teaching resources that enable teachers to teach Providing the best-possible teaching resources that enable teachers to teach for spiritual transformation. for spiritual transformation.

Providing the best-possible space and equipment as appropriate for age-Providing the best-possible space and equipment as appropriate for age-group teaching and learning. group teaching and learning.

8. Teach to Transform8. Teach to Transform 8. Teach to Transform8. Teach to Transform Continued…Continued…




9. Mobilize for Ministry9. Mobilize for Ministry We will take deliberate actions to mobilize people to meet with We will take deliberate actions to mobilize people to meet with compassion the needs of individuals and families by — compassion the needs of individuals and families by —

Remembering that the greatest need is to be in right relationship with the Remembering that the greatest need is to be in right relationship with the Lord. Lord.

Helping identify ministry needs and informing leaders and members about Helping identify ministry needs and informing leaders and members about ministry opportunities. ministry opportunities.

Equipping individuals and families to minister to others in need in all Equipping individuals and families to minister to others in need in all settings. settings.

Leading members and their families to be involved in ministry and mission Leading members and their families to be involved in ministry and mission projects as a continuation of Sunday School Bible study. projects as a continuation of Sunday School Bible study.

Involving the church family in supporting missionaries and mission work Involving the church family in supporting missionaries and mission work through prayer and giving. through prayer and giving.




10. Multiply Leaders and 10. Multiply Leaders and

UnitsUnits We will develop and implement an intentional process for We will develop and implement an intentional process for continually multiplying leaders and units by — continually multiplying leaders and units by —

Communicating the key relationship that multiplication of leaders and Communicating the key relationship that multiplication of leaders and units has to the overall mission of Sunday School as strategy.units has to the overall mission of Sunday School as strategy.

Teaching every believer to be in service and on mission and to multiply Teaching every believer to be in service and on mission and to multiply themselves.themselves.

Developing a potential leader-training ministry that helps members Developing a potential leader-training ministry that helps members explore their leadership potential and possibilities. explore their leadership potential and possibilities.

Making leader enlistment and multiplication of units an ongoing Making leader enlistment and multiplication of units an ongoing process rather than annual actions.process rather than annual actions.




10. Multiply Leaders and 10. Multiply Leaders and

UnitsUnits We will develop and implement an intentional process for We will develop and implement an intentional process for continually multiplying leaders and units by —continually multiplying leaders and units by —

Encouraging and supporting the initiative of existing Bible study Encouraging and supporting the initiative of existing Bible study groups to reproduce themselves through new open Bible study groups to reproduce themselves through new open Bible study groups that increase the opportunity to evangelize and disciple groups that increase the opportunity to evangelize and disciple more people. more people.

Encouraging and supporting the efforts of leaders to identify Encouraging and supporting the efforts of leaders to identify prospective leaders and guide them toward service for Christ and prospective leaders and guide them toward service for Christ and His church. His church.

Engaging the church to start a new Vacation Bible School, start a Engaging the church to start a new Vacation Bible School, start a new Sunday School, or help to plant a new church mission. new Sunday School, or help to plant a new church mission.




Sunday School Sunday School General Officers General Officers Job DescriptionsJob Descriptions

Sunday School Sunday School General Officers General Officers Job DescriptionsJob Descriptions



Sunday School DirectorSunday School Director Sunday School DirectorSunday School Director Being responsible to the church for all phases of

Sunday School work including outreach, Sunday School teaching improvement and worker training, witnessing, ministering, and Bible teaching projects such as Vacation Bible School.

Seek counsel and leadership from the pastor or Minister of Education.

Lead the Sunday School Council in planning and evaluating the work of the Sunday School.

Represent the Sunday School on the Church Council.



Sunday School SecretarySunday School SecretarySunday School SecretarySunday School Secretary

The Sunday School Secretary is responsible to the Sunday School Director for compiling and maintaining weekly, quarterly, annual records, and reports for the Sunday School.



Outreach-Evangelism DirectorOutreach-Evangelism Director Outreach-Evangelism DirectorOutreach-Evangelism Director

Be responsible to the Sunday School Director for planning, conducting, and evaluating the Sunday School in reaching, witnessing, and ministering to those who are not members of the Sunday School.

Be responsible for training of outreach leaders. Coordinate plans for prospect discovery.



Vacation Bible School DirectorVacation Bible School DirectorVacation Bible School DirectorVacation Bible School Director

Responsible to the Sunday School Director for planning, promoting, conducting, and evaluating the church's Vacation Bible School.



Sunday Sunday School School Worker’s Worker’s CovenantCovenant

Sunday Sunday School School Worker’s Worker’s CovenantCovenant



• Order my conduct in keeping with the principles of the New Testament, and seek the help of the Holy spirit that I may be faithful and efficient in my work. (Eph. 4:1)

• Be regular and punctual in attendance; and, in case of unavoidable absence, give notice thereof as far in advance as possible. (I Cor. 4:2)

• Make through preparation of the lesson and for my other duties each week. (II Tim. 2:15)

• Attend the regular planning meetings. (Luke 14:18-20)

• Use the Bible with my group on Sunday morning, or other meeting times, and help them to understand and love it. (Psa. 119:16)

Believing that the privilege of guiding people in the Christian way of life is worthy of my best, I covenant, as a worker in the Sunday School of my church to…



• Contribute my tithe to my church’s budget. (Mal. 3:10)

• Visit prospects frequently and make a special effort to contact absentees each week. (Acts 2:46)

• Study one or more books from the Church Study Course each year. (Prov. 15:28a)

• Be loyal to the program of the church, striving to attend all worship services. (Heb. 10:25)

• Make witnessing a major endeavor. Prov. 11:30)

• Seek to discover and meet the needs of those with whom I come into contact, especially fellow church members and prospects for my church. (Gal. 6:2)

• Pray regularly for the church, the Sunday School, the officers and teachers, and for the pupils and the homes from which they come. (I Thess. 5:17)



• Cooperate wholeheartedly in the plans and activities of the church. (I Cor. 3:9)

• Apply the teachings of Christ in moral and social issues of my everyday life. (James 1:22)

• With the help of God, I will do my utmost to keep this covenant:

____________________________Name Date



Additional Assistance

• Additional Assistance is available through our Association

• We will come to your church for individual training etc

• Also assistance is available from GBC• Almost all of this is at NO COST• CONTACT ASSOCIATIONAL OFFICE

FOR INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE ANOTHER TRAINING EVENT

basics for sunday school directors altamaha / new sunbury baptist association

Documents

school growth

school attendance

school enrollment2

school directorshe

school directors1

school leaders5

school directors6

school prospect files3