Appreciate Sunday School Leaders at Christmas

Written by David Francis

In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, don't forget to take the opportunity to show appreciation to your Sunday School leaders. Make a list and check it twice! Here are a few ideas for saying thank you to those faithful folks who lead and teach in your classes week in and week out all year long.

Give a Book

That's Easy for You to Say!

If your church budget can support it, purchase a small gift book for each teacher. The book need not be expensive. Check out the offerings on overstocked titles on a discount book website or at a local Christian book store. To make the book more special, write a personal note inside the cover and date it "Christmas 2009." Most importantly, deliver the books personally if you can. You don't need to wrap it! I've given all kinds of books, but the all-time hit was That's Easy for You to Say: Your Quick Guide to Pronouncing Bible Names by W. Murray Severance.

Send a Card
Christmas cards are still appreciated. Again, be sure to write a personal note of thanks to each individual. If your budget can handle it, you might enclose a gift certificate for a cup of coffee or a coupon that's good at a fast food restaurant or retail store. You might even call around and see if a local merchant might provide these to you at no cost!

Make a Homemade Gift
It really is the thought that counts - especially if the thought you want to express is "Thank you." If your budget is tight, make a homemade gift. Cookies or candies wrapped in red or green cellophane, or miniature candies in a plastic bag – fanciness isn't required. Again, deliver the gift personally to each teacher's room and say thank you.

Throw a Christmas Party
Remind leaders in adult classes to invite leaders and teachers in the preschool, children, and student classes who are associate members. These leaders should provide festive nametags so everyone feels welcome. Encourage them to take time to recognize and honor these associate members. Consider giving a gift from the class to the teacher and other class leaders. For more information, read my article about how to honor associate members anytime of the year.

Host an Open House
This is an idea that has worked personally for us. It would have been impossible to have all Sunday School leaders in our home at one time. But when we spread it out over 2-3 hours, with a come-and-go open house, it worked great. Sunday School leaders enjoyed being in our home in a relaxed atmosphere. It was a fun way to say “thank you” away from the church building. You can certainly come up with other ideas. Just remember to say thank you.

And, by the way, thank you for all you've done this year to advance the Sunday School movement where you live and worship. May this Christmas be full of blessings!

David Francis is LifeWay's director of Sunday School. His latest book is Connect3 - The Power of One Sunday School Class. This is the fourth installment in the 3D Sunday School series following I-6 Invite: A Six-Lane Strategy toward an Inviting Sunday School and The Discover Triad: Three Facets of a Dynamic Sunday School Class. David has previously served as Minister of Education at First Baptist Church, Garland Texas, and currently teaches a preschool class on Sunday mornings.

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