Planning a Sunday School Kickoff Event
You have spent countless hours putting together the details of your church's Sunday School strategy. Finally, all the pieces seem to be in place. But can you get it off the ground? That's what comes next: the Sunday School Kickoff.
Why Bother?
Sunday School leaders need a point in their annual cycle when they are refreshed for the challenges that lay ahead. The Sunday School Kickoff Event can help to fulfill that need. During the Sunday School Kickoff, leaders can ...
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develop a greater understanding of Sunday School as foundational strategy for evangelism and discipleship;
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identify ways they can be more involved in implementing Sunday School strategy;
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be better equipped for the leadership assignment they have accepted;
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acquire a sense of excitement about Sunday School ministry;
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be involved in setting goals and determining ways to reach them;
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develop a sense of unity with other Sunday School leaders;
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make fresh commitments to Christ, His church, and His calling upon their lives.
Select a Time
For our purposes we will think in terms of a weekend kickoff event. Ideally, that weekend would be before the first Sunday of the new Sunday School year, but consider whatever time is most suitable for you and your church.
The Sunday School Kickoff actually includes several events designed to prepare individual Sunday School leaders and mobilize all Sunday School members for the challenges and opportunities of the new year. The kickoff becomes a time to:
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celebrate accomplishments
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communicate plans
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train leaders
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commission leaders for service
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challenge the church about the potential of Sunday School as foundational strategy
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create a sense of excitement and purpose for what lies ahead
Begin with a Sunday School Rally
The rally is for all Sunday School leaders and could be a Friday evening kickoff event for the whole weekend. The rally may be held in conjunction with a banquet hosted by the church. Make the rally one every Sunday School leader will be talking about in anticipation of next year.
Suggested Sunday School Rally Agenda
Steps for Planning an Effective Rally
Include a Leadership Training Spectacular
Continue the Kickoff Event by conducting leadership training. Everything you need for kickoff training is available for download on LifeWay.com. This training may be on Saturday. Promote it as a training spectacular that will equip all Sunday School leaders to function more effectively in carrying out Sunday School as strategy. The training may include a general session with all leaders together. During this time the pastor, Sunday School director and/or minister of education may do an overview of the annual plan, review the organization, discuss other training events, preview the annual calendar, and so forth. However, this general session need not be long, probably less than one hour. The majority of the time needs to be spent in specific age-group leader training.
Leader Training Spectacular Schedule
Steps for Planning a Training Spectacular
Plan a Sunday School Leader Commissioning Service
The excitement and purpose of the weekend continues with Sunday morning worship. If you are the Sunday School director or minister of education, talk with the pastor about the worship service. This service should not be a promotional event but a focus on the work of the church and the calling of God’s people to share the good news. Sunday School is highlighted as the strategy for leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and for building Great Commission Christians through Bible study groups.
The service could include a member giving a brief testimony about the value of Sunday School as strategy and music and Scripture reading that support the emphasis of the day and/or the church’s annual theme. The pastor’s message could place the emphasis in a biblical context.
Ideas for a Commissioning Service
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