Checklist for a New Sunday School Year

Written by Wayne Poling

The word "new" stirs up anticipation, heightened interest, and freshness. One of the definitions of new in the dictionary is: "Changed for the better; rejuvenated." Use the opportunity that the newness of the Sunday School year brings to launch a great year of Sunday School work. Here is a last minute checklist to help you get it off to a good start.

Are all of your Sunday School members' records complete? Have you made sure that all of the information has been updated? Are all of the member records organized according to the Sunday School organization for the new year?

Does every leader know his/her specific assignment for the new year, with whom he/she will work, and understand his/her role?

Have all members and leaders been informed regarding the Sunday School organization for the new year? Does every member and every parent know to which class and/or department they have been assigned? Make sure there are no surprises.

Have all leaders and members received their Sunday School curriculum materials for the three months beginning September? Do they have all the related supply items needed?

Do you have plans in place to make sure all of the facilities are prepared for the new Sunday School year? If there are adjustments in room assignments have you made plans for adjusting equipment? Does each room have tables, chairs, and other equipment proper in size and use for those assigned to that room? Is the building being prepared to give a sense of newness? Have you put up posters, painted, prepared bulletin boards, and taken other actions in order to celebrate the new year?

Have you planned some sort of Commissioning Service to challenge and encourage your Sunday School leadership in for a new year?

Have you updated your prospect records? Remember that prospect records also need to be organized to match the new Sunday School organization. You will need to "promote" prospects.

Have you encouraged leaders to attempt to contact every Sunday School member in their class or department before the launch of the new Sunday School year?

Ask every leader and every member to pray for the new Sunday School year that God's will work through your Sunday School to reach people for Christ and transform lives.

Make every attempt to launch the new Sunday School year effectively. Make sure that the first Sunday communicates clearly that exciting things are going to take place in the coming year. The first Sunday School class session will set the tone for the year. Plan your Sunday School work effectively in order to build on that strong start.

Wayne Poling is Sunday School/FAITH ministry specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, Tennessee.

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