The Value of New Units in Reaching People - Part 2

Written by J. David Apple

Read The Value of New Units in Reaching People - Part 1

What are the steps to most effectively begin new Sunday School units?

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Identify specific target group(s) you are seeking to reach.

Opportunities to start new units center on understanding one or more groups of people not being reached through existing ministries or Bible study groups. These can include but are not limited to the following:

Persons in selected life issue or transition

New parents
Single Adults
Single Parents
Newly engaged or newlyweds
Recently divorced
Retirees
Recently lost loved ones
College students
Transfer to community
Military
English as a second language students
Unemployed
Business travelers
Employed at a specific job location or shift

Age groups (could be based on a segment of how your Sunday School is currently organized)

Senior Adults
Median Adults
Younger Adults
Students
Preschoolers

Size or growth potential of an existing Bible study group

Seek sponsorship for the new unit.
When a baby is born, parents, family and friends celebrate. They understand the joy of new birth and focus on the needs of helping the new baby grow in a healthy, caring surrounding. A new Bible study group needs the same celebration and support. This does not come without some intentional actions. Consider the actions that one existing class did to support and nurture a new class.

Pray that God would guide the teacher and class eadership team as they began the work of the class; serve as prayer warriors for the new class.
Pray for and help discover prospects and new members.
Make contacts to prospects and absentees on behalf of the new class.
Have a combined class social and invite members and prospects of the new class.
Help the class identify and work toward a ministry project they can do for others.

Enlist and train leadership team.
Always start any new Bible study group with a team of workers. A guiding principle is to start with at least three people who will commit to attend, take leadership in at least one primary area, and seek to engage other people in the work of the class. For example, one person will certainly be needed as the Bible study leader for the group. Another person will be needed to take the lead in discovering, building relationships with and seeking to enroll and assimilate new people. Another person could take the lead in providing opportunities for fellowship and ministry. As more people are added to the work of the class, these responsibilities can be shared.

Leaders for the new group can be enlisted from any existing Bible study group. They do not necessarily have to be among the same group of people being targeted for the new group.

Communicate with the target group about specific time and location for the group to meet.
There are many effective ways to let people know about the new Bible study group. It is certainly best to communicate in ways that the people in the group will "hear" and respond to the message. Consider ways to communicate with the people you are seeking to reach:

Mail letter, invitation or post card
E-mail
Newspaper advertisement
Personal visit

Enlist prospects to be part of the group.
Personally invite individuals to be a part of the Bible study group. Practice open enrollment (a person can join the group any time as long as they give you permission to place his name on the roll). Make sure class leaders and members take positive actions to follow up with and seek to build relationships with persons who agree to join the class. Look for ministry opportunities whereby believers can show the love of Christ and new members can be engaged in helping others.

Conduct the first session. (and identify an appropriate agenda for succeeding sessions).

Party (fellowship or social activities)
Praise (give participants opportunity to share good things that are happening; look for prayers being answered; practice giving God the glory for ways He is working)
Prayer (give opportunity for participants to share concerns they have for which they need God to work; give opportunities for participants to pray together)
Participation (lead participants to study the Bible together and identify ways to let God's Word transform them)

Start a new group or class based on a positive Model.

Restructuring an existing department or class.
Assign leadership team to unchurched target group.
Identify unreached group and start Bible Study group when and where they can and will meet.
Start a short-term group that becomes the entry point for an ongoing Bible study group.
Blitz a target group with publicity and ensure the first session(s) will be well attended.