Thinking Strategically about Sunday School

Written by Keith Wilkinson

How well is your Sunday School doing to help believers grow and develop as disciples? On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being low and 5 being high), how do you rate your Sunday School in leading people to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus? How would you rate your class or department? How would you rate yourself?

SS	Class/Dept.	Myself
			Lifting up the Bible as the absolute truth and authority of God's Word, and using it as the textbook of Sunday School.
			Regularly attending ongoing Sunday School classes, departments, or other Bible study groups.
			Providing training for all Sunday School leaders.
			Providing Bible study curriculum materials appropriate for preschoolers, children, youth, and adults.
			Providing space, equipment, and furnishings appropriate for Bible study with preschoolers, children, yourth, and adults.
			Working to provide for Bible study a ministry environment that facilitates spiritual transformation.
			Encouraging involvement in the church's Discipleship ministry.
			Providing opportunities to be involved in special Bible study events beyond Sunday morning.
			Providing tools to help parents fulfill their role as the primary Bible teachers and disciplers of their children.

Bible study should result in lives being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. What a thrill when teachers and members witness the growth and development of a new believer! Each person feels a special part of God's plan to develop people into His likeness.

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Discipling is a process that requires constant training and equipping. The primary strategy, that vital first step, for developing disciples is the weekly, ongoing Bible study provided through Sunday School. The ministry of Sunday School plays a critical role in the discipleship process.

However, more is required if people are to learn all they need to know about being and serving as a disciple. A disciple is a constant learner. Training is essential. A church must provide every training opportunity possible. Sunday School leaders can encourage, affirm, and recognize people who are involved in training. A goal is to have people involved every quarter in completing training courses.

Think strategically about helping your Sunday School do all it can do to make disciples. Our goal as disciples should be to become more like Jesus and to help others be more like Him, too.

Sunday Schools that are effective in making disciples have the following characteristics:

Classes and departments understand clearly their mission of making disciples.
Teachers mentor believers through Bible study and through example.
Teachers teach the Bible for spiritual transformation.
Class members recognize that discipleship is a lifelong spiritual journey.
Class members serve as discipleship leaders and encourages.
Special discipleship studies facilitate opportunities to learn beyond Sunday morning.
In very practical ways families fulfill their role as disciplers of their children.

Keith Wilkinson is retired State Sunday School Director of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.