Sunday School Checklist for December, January and February

Written by LifeWay.com Staff

December: Season of Giving

1. Seasonal Opportunities

• Check your substitute teacher list. With the holidays fast approaching, a list of available substitute teachers is vital. A ready-made list will make Sundays during the holidays much less hectic.
• Ask your leaders to indicate when they will be out of town or otherwise in need of a substitute. This information will help in keeping Sunday School classes and departments staffed for holiday weekends. As is true for many church leaders, you may wear several hats. Here are some other areas for which there may be seasonal staffing needs: Sunday School classes, ETC (Extended Teaching Care), Sunday evening leadership, mid-week events, and any special holiday programs.
• Christmas is a great time for fellowship. Remind your leadership about the need to have a monthly fellowship. This is a great time to invite prospects as they strive to develop relationships with respective class members. Also, encourage leaders to establish stronger relationships with members who attend irregularly.
• Register guests at all special holiday events, and assign them to the appropriate Sunday School classes/departments for follow-up. Allow an opportunity for registered guests to enroll in Sunday School.
• Suggest that leaders check EXTRA! for additional Sunday School help.

2. Planning and Promotion

• Promote the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions. During December, many RA and GA groups have special activities to draw attention to this special missions offering.
• Plan a Sunday School enrollment emphasis for the Spring quarter, to culminate on Easter.
• Conduct your Sunday School Planning Team meeting.
• Plan for winter leadership training.
• Promote January Bible Study for all ages.
• FAITH churches: Prepare for the next FAITH semester by individually recruiting Team Leaders and Learners. Work with the pastor on a Kickoff Banquet and/or All on the Altar Service.
• Communicate dates for associational, state, and denominational events for the next three months. Encourage leaders to be involved. Indicate ways the church will help, and assist in providing transportation.
• Contact every teacher in the Sunday School ministry to find out how you can support them in prayer. Pray for them on a rotating basis throughout the month.

3. Administration

• Complete literature order for March, April, May (Spring quarter).
• FAITH churches: Send in your Monthly Participation Report. Purchase FAITH resources for the next semester.
• Publish a list of class Christmas parties.
• Develop a list of prospective Sunday School leaders, and begin personal recruitment for winter leadership training.

4. Outreach

• With the busyness of the Christmas season, outreach often decreases in priority. Actually, the holiday season is a time when more people are spiritually aware of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. We must not let this opportunity slip by. Many people will visit your church for different Christmas celebrations; be prompt in follow-up.
• Make it a priority to give renewed emphasis to outreach in January.
• Promote January Bible Study dates and study themes. Make resources available for members to purchase.
• FAITH churches: Continue to meet for Visitation Time (DO IT) and Celebration Time (SHARE IT). Set the calendar for the next semester of FAITH.

January: a Time of Commitment

1. Seasonal Opportunities

• January is a month of recommitment or resolution, a time for setting personal goals and objectives for your ministry in the new year. Encourage other leaders to go through the same process.
• Conduct January Bible Study for all age groups.
• Be aware of special Sunday School or denominational emphases: Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and Baptist Men's Day.
• Conduct a winter training event for continued training of current and prospective leaders.

2. Planning and Promotion

• Promote a Sunday School enrollment emphasis based on the 2005 Sunday School theme.
• Publicize the importance of open enrollment to Sunday School growth and evangelism.
• Encourage all leaders to attend summer national leadership training events at LifeWay Ridgecrest® and LifeWay Glorieta® Conference Centers. Indicate ways your church can help people attend.
• Conduct your Sunday School planning team meeting.
• Pray for teachers on a rotating basis throughout the month.

3. Administration

• Evaluate the Sunday School organization to determine opportunities to start new units. Investigate classes involved in outreach or with a FAITH Team. These classes are prime candidates for starting a new unit in March.
• Set the date and locate a place for an annual planning retreat. Begin communicating information to the appropriate leaders.
• Order the VBS Promotional Poster Set (or check your VBS Sampler if that product has been ordered).
• FAITH churches: Send in your Monthly Participation Report.

4. Outreach

• Plan a renewed emphasis on outreach this month. January may be a great time to do telephone surveys looking for ways to better minister to the community and to find prospects for your church.
• FAITH churches: Kick off the Spring semester with an All on the Altar Service and/or a Kickoff Banquet.
• Ask FAITH participants and those saved as a result of FAITH to share testimonies in the services, in weekly leadership meetings, and in Sunday School classes.

February: a Month for Relationships

1. Seasonal Opportunities

• Valentine's Day occurs this month, making it a great month to focus on relationships through True Love Waits, Race Relations Sunday, and home missions emphases.
• Encourage classes to have Valentine's fellowships or even a weekend retreat to focus on strengthening relationships.

2. Planning and Promotion

• Plan and promote the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® for Home Missions.
• Continue to recruit leaders for new units that will begin in March. Focus on Sunday School classes that have FAITH Teams or teams of people participating in weekly outreach.
• Begin planning for Vacation Bible School by enlisting leaders, scheduling planning meetings, and securing dates for associational VBS training.
• Note that VBS has an alternative theme this year. See which theme will meet your church's need.
• Conduct your Sunday School Planning Team meeting.
• Continue to enlist leaders to participate in national Sunday School leadership training events at Ridgecrest or Glorieta.
• Pray for teachers on a rotating basis throughout the month.

3. Administration

• FAITH churches: Send in your Monthly Participation Report.
• Distribute Sunday School curriculum materials for March, April, and May (Spring quarter).

4. Outreach

• Begin an emphasis on Sunday School enrollment while promoting a high attendance day on Easter.

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