A Model for Being an Effective Sunday School Leader

Written by Barry Campbell

In 1 Samuel 14, God used Jonathan as a great leader. In fact, we can draw from his actions in this passage principles which can help us be more effective leaders today.

Effective Leaders Plan According to Recognized Priorities
Jonathan had one clear priority: He was a soldier. His task was to find the enemy and to engage the enemy in battle. Jonathan was effective because he was able to recognize priorities.

Planning the work of Sunday School ministry should include a recognition of priorities. Every healthy church accomplishes five essential functions: evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry & worship. Why not use these essential functions as a guide for planning? Plan for balance by intentionally focusing on each of these priorities. Coming from the perspective of Sunday School as strategy, be sure your calendar for next year includes actions that will accomplish the five functions.

Effective Leaders Plan with an Understanding of Reality
In the story recorded in I Samuel 14, Jonathan understood the reality that Saul and the 600-man army would not take action (vv. 15-16). They were immobilized by frustration and discouragement. If the people were to be delivered from their enemy, then Jonathan must take action alone.

Effective Sunday School leaders must learn to understand the realities of the place where they serve. Some, like Jonathan, serve in a place where other leaders are not likely to take action. Is your community rural or urban? Is the population stable, declining, or growing? Is the church plateaued, growing, or declining? Of what generation are church members and the leaders? Of what generation are the people the church is seeking to reach for the Lord and the church?

Effective Leaders Make Decisions Based on Real Faith
It is true that the wise, effective leader will understand the reality of the situation in which the church is planted. But understanding reality does not eliminate the step of faith. There are times when planning the work of Sunday School ministry means taking a step - or even a leap - of faith.

In 1 Samuel 14:6, Jonathan makes a remarkable statement of faith. He said: "It may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few" (KJV). In this statement, Jonathan affirmed that he would follow God's plan whether the battle was won on that day or not. Real faith stands to do the right thing regardless of the outcome.

Sometimes effective leaders are called on to take a bold step of faith. Perhaps the plan to be developed must reflect a bold new direction that God has revealed. Real faith recognizes that our plans cannot always be based solely on the statistics, or even the realities.

Effective Leaders Develop Plans That Are Faithful and Focused
As Jonathan prepared to engage the enemy in battle, he developed a plan. The plan was simple. The enemy was located on top of a cliff. Jonathan would get out in the open and let the enemy see him. If they wanted to fight on top of the cliff, he would climb up. If they wanted to fight at the bottom of the cliff, he would wait for them to come down.

This plan did not reflect the best military thinking. Jonathan was outnumbered 20 to 1, and he let the enemy choose where the battle would be fought (1 Sam. 14:8-12). In spite of Jonathan's lack of military genius, God blessed him and gave him a great victory that day.

Not every Sunday School or church leader is gifted to develop fabulous, strategic plans. While we ought always to strive to be as effective as possible in planning, the fact is that some are more gifted in building relationships while others are blessed with ministry gifts. God never intended that every believer have the same skills or gifts. The wonderful blessing is that God can take our sometimes feeble efforts and use them in powerful ways.

Barry Campbell is eastern region director, church relations and consulting, LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, Tennessee.

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