Four Secrets to a Kingdom-Focused Sunday School

Written by Ron Brown

"Sure, we have a Sunday School at our church," answered Minister of Education Newt Trend. "As far as I know, our church has always had Sunday School. But what does that have to do with my question?"

The Kingdom-Focused Church: A Compelling Image of an Achievable Future for Your Church

You see, Newt had just asked much-traveled church consultant Noah Lott for help in choosing an effective small group ministry that helps a church make disciples, mature believers, and multiply ministry through the greatest number of people. Newt firmly believed something must be out there that could help him lead his church to greater effectiveness.

Now Newt had tried all he'd learned in conferences, read in books, and heard from friends. Nothing really seemed to work. Oh, they had some spikes, but they didn't sustain anything.

Noah Lott smiled. "Sunday School has everything to do with your question. You are looking for a means to give your church greater focus - a kingdom focus. Right? Well, you have a small group ministry that can do that."

Noah continued, "If you will allow me to sit down, I will be glad to share with you a few secrets for making your church's Sunday School a dynamic, energized, and energizing ministry that is kingdom focused."

Here's a summary of what Noah told him. Perhaps you too are looking for some help for your church. Consider these secrets for making Sunday School a kingdom-focused ministry.

Open the Doors!
One secret to a kingdom-focused Sunday School is to open it up. Most Sunday School classes would say they are open to receive anyone who would like to join them. Certainly that gracious kind of spirit is commendable. So what's the secret?

Secret Number One: Open the front door by intentionally and aggressively seeking, inviting, and enrolling the spiritually lost; open the back door to release those who are needed to serve.

Therefore, a kingdom-focused Sunday School consists of dynamic, open groups. The people who come in the front door are evangelized, discipled, assimilated into the fellowship, ministered to, and led to worship. People also go out the back door to engage in evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, and worship.

Look Out the Windows
A second secret of a kingdom-focused Sunday School is to see people - not program, organization, or content - as primary. It is possible to put a finely planned program in place, develop a well-oiled organizational machine, and come up with well-conceived content, but still not be kingdom focused. Why?

Secret Number Two: The focus of the kingdom is on bringing all people into a right relationship with God.

Therefore, a kingdom-focused Sunday School consists of small groups that look out the window and walk out the door to reach people for Christ and then bring them into a transforming relationship with Him. Classes focused primarily on teaching content tend not to look up and out the windows. Obviously we cannot minimize teaching, but we may fail to elevate the focus on people.

Share the Chores
Let's remember that we are looking for a small group structure that results in greater effectiveness in making disciples, maturing believers, and multiplying ministry. A kingdom-focused Sunday School can be the solution to the search when we open it up for the spiritually lost to be gathered in and encourage believers to go out in service as servant leaders. Every believer sent out in service increases the ministry.

Secret Number Three: Multiply yourself and ministry by allowing others to lead.

You become a more focused leader when you guide Sunday School leaders and members to become involved in kingdom-focused objectives. Position yourself as one who leads as a visionary, encourager, and equipper. But stress that the stewardship of the small group is being entrusted to each group leader. Then let them lead. Allow them to be used by God to accomplish His will. Thereby the ministry will be multiplied, and you will multiply yourself through others.

Eat Healthy and Exercise
Too often energetic appetities aren't matched by energetic activity. A kingdom-focused Sunday School teaches the Bible for spiritual transformation, not just for the further consumption of biblical knowledge.

Appetites for knowledge without active lifestyles result in unhealthy believers. So, what's the secret?

Secret Number Four: Make Bible study that changes people the centerpiece for all small groups.

Too often we stop short, being satisified that the teacher has taught and the pupil has learned, even though nothing has changed. Healthy Bible study transforms people through a life-changing encounter with God in Christ through a study of His Word. Therefore, teach the Bible, not topics. Teach the Bible because of:

The Authority Behind It (2 Tim. 3:16) - It is the written revelation of Himself, the reliable source for all divine truth
The Ability Within It (2 Tim. 3:17) - Teach what the Lord expects; rebuke what the Lord rejects; correct what the Lord rejects; become what the Lord expects.
The Advantage Gained from It (2 Tim. 3:17) - Become complete, thoroughly proficient, and ready to serve